Poland spared by the crisis

While Lithuania's economy is shrinking at a record tempo, Poland's has been growing despite the crisis, notes the daily Lietuvos Rytas, listing a set of reasons: "Lithuania has done away with reductions to value added tax, even for books and food. Poland has done nothing of the sort. The result: thousands of Lithuanians (as well as Slovaks and Germans) drive to Poland to do their shopping because meat is cheaper there, while economic tourism has all but come to a halt in the other direction. [Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius] Kubilius' government has raised the petroleum tax above the EU level, while Poland has left it as it was. ... The list goes on. Above all however, Kubilius strikes fear into people's hearts on a daily basis with portents of the upcoming apocalypse. And his cabinet ministers outdo each other with negative prognoses, causing people to save more and more. [Poland's Prime Minister Donald] Tusk hasn't got anyone worried, and perhaps that's why his country is on a growth course."

» full article (external link, Lithunian)
More from the press review on the subject » Economic Policy, » Tax Policy, » Poland, » Lithuania
All available articles from » Rimvydas Valatka

» To the complete press review of Monday, August 31, 2009