), OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNOMIG, UNPROFOR, UPU, WCL, WEU (associate partner),
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jerzy KOZMINSKI
chancery: 2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-3800 through 3802
FAX: [1] (202) 328-6271
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Nicholas Andrew REY
embassy: Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31, Warsaw
mailing address: American Embassy Warsaw, Box 5010, Unit 1340, APO AE
09213-1340
telephone: [48] (2) 628-30-41
FAX: [48] (2) 628-82-98
consulate(s) general: Krakow, Poznan

Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar to
the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white

@Poland:Economy

Overview: Poland continues to make good progress in the difficult
transition to a market economy that began on 1 January 1990, when the
new democratic government instituted "shock therapy" by decontrolling
prices, slashing subsidies, and drastically reducing import barriers.
Real GDP fell sharply in 1990 and 1991, but in 1992 Poland became the
first country in the region to resume economic growth with a 2.6%
increase. Growth increased to 3.8% in 1993 and 5.5% in 1994 - the
highest rate in Europe except for Albania. All of the growth since
1991 has come from the booming private sector, which now accounts for
at least 55% of GDP, even though privatization of the state-owned
enterprises is proceeding slowly and most industry remains in state
hands. Industrial production increased 12% in 1994 - led by 50% jumps
in the output of motor vehicles, radios and televisions, and pulp and
paper - and is now well above the 1990 level. Inflation, which had
approached 1,200% annually in early 1990, was down to about 30% in
1994, as the government held the budget deficit to 1.5% of GDP. After
five years of steady increases, unemployment has leveled off at about
16% nationwide, although it approaches 30% in some regions. The trade
deficit was sharply reduced in 1994, due mainly to increased exports
to Western Europe, Poland's main customer. The leftist government
elected in September 1993 gets generally good marks from foreign
observers for its management of the budget but is often criticized for
not moving faster on privatization.

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