The report is supposed to show that economic growth in Poland was by no means achieved thanks to PiS rules.
“Polish economy throve on good market in Europe and in the world, Poland’s EU membership, inflow of foreign direct investment, boom in exports, restructuring of companies and implementing the flat 19 percent corporate income tax (which was done by the former, leftist, government)”, Adam Szejnfeld, spokesman for economy in the shadow cabinet of Citizens’ Platform said.
He stressed that the GDP per head in Poland amounts to EUR 7,100 compared with EUR 11,000 in the Czech Republic, EUR 8,900 in Hungary and EUR 8,200 in Slovakia. In the October 2005-July 2007 period, the country’s debt rose by PLN 48.3bn (EUR 13.1bn), or by PLN 3,400 per head. Imports exceeded exports by USD 12.4bn.
“Bureaucracy is excessive. Poland has 8th position among 10 new EU members as far as the simplicity of founding a company is concerned and 75th place worldwide. We are 129th as far as the business environment is concerned. We have inefficient courts. Privatization was stopped and generated nine times less revenues than planned”, Adam Szejnfeld enumerated.
He adds high costs of labor and production, unstable law, monopolies, corruption and black economy, investment barriers, poor infrastructure and transport, difficult access to EU funds. PO promises immediate reforms.
“Reform of finances should be implemented as soon as possible. We want to reduce the number of funds and agencies. In 2009, we want to implement flat personal income tax and corporate income tax of 15 percent”, Adam Szejnfeld said.
The party wants also to reform farmers’ insurance and decrease the tax wedge. It is going to implement laws which will abolish barriers for already existing companies and those being founded. It promises that infrastructure will be developed faster.
(PLN 1 = EUR 0.272)