Trade gap narrows as unemployment continues to rise in Poland
Polish exports for the period January-May were up 17.7% this year compared with the same period last year, while imports grew by a modest 3.5%, according to the Central Statistic Office (GUS). The trade gap narrowed to $6 billion from $7.5 billion and the deficit with EU countries fell to $2.2 billion. The government forecasts growth in GDP of 2.9% and expects inflation to fall to 5.5% in 2002.
Meanwhile, the number of people unemployed rose slightly in June, edging closer to three million, according to GUS. Unemployment increased to 2,849,200, or 15.8% in June, from 15.7% in May.
Compared to the same period last year there are an extra 411,800 out of work. School leavers appear to be finding jobs, however, with numbers registered as unemployed falling by 77,700 from May.
