“Since the beginning of the pandemic, the priority of the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has been to take care of the health and lives of citizens and to develop tools to influence the safeguarding of the country's economic situation in order to ensure that we have a smooth return to economic growth. The measures taken are bringing results” – said Family Minister Marlena Maląg during a press briefing. She also mentioned, that in January 2021, Poland's unemployment rate, adjusted for its seasonality, was rated at just 3.1 per cent, the lowest in the entire European Union.

Despite the pandemic, our economic performance is good

The per capita GDP decline rates are similarly good. – Today, we are the members of a very elite group of countries that have recorded the lowest GDP decline – less than 2 per cent – in comparison to 2019. This is a huge, measurable success implemented policy with respect to shields – stressed the Minister. She added that the average decrease in GDP across EU countries was 7.4 per cent. The GDP per capita growth rate of 37.7 per cent, placing Poland in 6th position among 29 European countries proves that the country heads in a positive direction.

This has been noticed by international institutions, which present good forecasts for Poland. – Our approach and consistently implemented anti-crisis measures have been positively assessed by the International Monetary Fund – explained Minister Maląg. According to the IMF, Poland is well-prepared for the recovery period due to the actions taken by the government. Experts state that the implementation of the support programmes has been generally been fast and effective, and thus should help to limit the long-term negative effects of the pandemic for our economy.

Social programmes to stimulate consumption

Minister Marlena Maląg emphasised that consistent and planned implementation of all the social programmes play an important role; and PLN 80 billion is allocated towards them this year. She assured that they will continue. – Not only do they improve the situation for families with children or seniors, but, very importantly, they stimulate consumption. These investments will continue, thanks also to the PLN 770 secured by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki during the July European Council summit,” she recalled and added, “Now we are taking the next step, we have launched public consultations of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Its assumptions are a vestibule to the Polish New Deal, which will soon be presented by the Prime Minister. Sustainability is a trademark of the United Right's governments.

More childcare places for children under the age of 3.

– As the Minister of Family, I am glad to hear that as much as EUR 381 million from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan will be directed to local governments for the creation of new care places for children under 3 years of age – said Minister Maląg. – Over the course of our governance, we have so far allocated around PLN 2.1 billion to the development and maintenance of care places for the youngest. The “Toddler+” programme allowed us to increase the number of places of care for children up to the age of three – up to approximately 200 thousand.

The Ministry of the Family assumes that the funds granted under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan will allow to establish additional 36,000 care places, which will increase the number of possible choices for parents who will find it easier to combine raising children with professional work.

Development of social economy enterprises

Minister Maląg also added that EUR 45 million will be allocated for the development of social economy. – It is worth to remember, that social and solidarity economy is motivated primarily by the people, and not the profit. It allows to support the employment and integration of people at risk of social exclusion – persons with disabilities, seniors and the unemployed. These are further measures that will result in establishing a solid foundation for economic growth. And we will invariably strengthen these foundations by making further investments at many levels – the Minister said.

Plans of the Ministry of Economic Development

Olga Semeniuk, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Economic Development, Labour and Technology, reminded that over than PLN 193 billion has already been transferred to entrepreneurs since the beginning of the pandemic under the anti-crisis and financial shield. – This is not the end of our activities – said Deputy Minister Semeniuk. – In result of many discussions with entrepreneurs, we have prepared further instruments, such as access to long-term loans or assistance in changing the business model. There will also be a legal shield with facilities and amenities for entrepreneurs. The Deputy Minister Semeniuk states, that the National Recovery and Resilience Plan will bring new strength to the Polish Economy.