Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy, Waldemar Pawlak, has announced the Ministry’s view on Poland’s future energy security. Poland’s energy policy plan till 2030 discussed by Waldemar Pawlak at a conference yesterday includes cooperation with Ukraine on nuclear energy, the construction of power plants, supervision over pipeline operators and facilitations in oil storage systems. >>

“The influence of CO2 limits on economic growth” was the topic of a debate hosted by the Business Centre Club’s Katowice branch on August 22. Gathered in a picturesque hunting lodge in Promnice were managers of leading Silesian firms, government officials, experts and MPs concerned about the negative impact of EU legislation on the Polish economy. In particular they focused on the fact that – unlike other EU member states – Poland relies on coal for its energy needs. But according to analysts EU legislation puts the stress on penalizing CO2 emissions rather than on encouraging modernization. Below are fragments of the discussion.  >>

If you are back from your summer vacation and you feel you missed out on certain facts in Polish economy here are some opinions and forecasts to get you back to date.  >>

Krzysztof Grabowski, an advisor on financial markets with the Polish Financial Supervision Authority and volunteer of Financial Services Volunteer Corps (FSVC), a U.S.-based not-for-profit private organization, is involved in helping Albania to draft an investment fund law and regulations to govern the country’s stock exchange. This is part of an effort by USAID to assist Albania’s financial sector so that it is safer and sounder, better able to attract new sources of capital, and more efficient at deploying existing capital resources. This three year program utilizes leading financial, legal and regulatory experts to provide technical assistance to help strengthen Albania’s central bank capabilities, improve commercial banking systems and build capital markets.  >>

This issue was discussed by experts and entrepreneurs at a meeting held by the Polish Chamber of Commerce (PCC). According to entrepreneurs, too strong Polish currency poses a threat to Polish companies.  >>

The U.S. crisis will have an adverse effect on global economic growth. It is hard to say what the scope of this influence will be but the expected slowdown should be rather mild. Poland’s economy appears stable against the current global turbulencies, there are also no mechanisms that could transport the U.S. situation to our economic reality; Poland’s economy is developing at a steady pace and on relatively strong foundations. >>

At about 5.7% Poland’s GDP growth in 2008 will be slower than last year, with the domestic market against the main driving-force of growth. The foreign trade deficit is expected to increase. >>

The number of passenger flights has been rocketing in the past several years. The barrier to further expansion is insufficient infrastructure – airports and access system. For the first time, however, substantial EU finance has been earmarked for airport growth. But is that enough? It isn’t – what is still required is to reorganise the market. >>

Delays in developing securitization instruments have to date allowed Poland to avoid the effects of the subprime crisis. Nonetheless mounting rivalry for custom may result in an uncontrolled depreciation of binding standards, believes Stanisław Kubielas.  >>