Poland adopts 24-billion euro aid package
November 30, 2008
Poland adopted Sunday an economic package for 2009-2010 valued at 24 billion euros (30 billion dollars) to help weather the impact of the global financial crisis, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.
At the same time, Polish Finance Minister Jan Rostowski said his department was lowering its economic growth forecast for 2009 to 3.7 percent, compared with the previous outlook of 4.8 percent.
"It is a stabilisation and development programme, because Poland is a country that is still developing," Tusk told reporters, adding: "Happily, the consequences of the global crisis for Poland are not so grave."
The centre-right premier said the package worth 91.3 billion zlotys includes increasing bank guarantees, giving loans to small- and medium-sized businesses, and investing in renewable energy sources.
"The programme has three objectives: to maintain financial stability to safeguard Poland's credibility, (provide) effective protection for the poorest people hit by the world crisis, and maintain economic development to catch up with Europe's richest countries," said Tusk.