Polish Market No.8 (287)/2019

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PRIME MINISTER

meant to boost entrepreneurship and improve business opportunities which will lead to job creation. In 2019, the government is to allocate a sum of PLN 300 million for the purpose, and in subsequent years, PLN 800 million each year. “Thanks to this plan, residents of small towns and villages which could not be reached by public transport, will now be able to use bus services to commute to work, school, and to reach health care establishments,” he said. The Polish government is currently implementing a local roads reinstatement and construction programme. A sum of PLN 6 billion has been allocated for this purpose.

INVESTING IN THE NATION’S FUTURE

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nder an expanded 500+ programme, monthly benefits have been introduced for all parents with one child, in addition to an earlier welfare programme whereby families with more than one child received bonuses. This move is to benefit about 3 million children on top of the earlier scheme. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki described the move as an important trigger to improve education and the quality of life. “We are glad that we can contribute to the happiness of Polish families. The PLN 6,000-a-year bonus is meant to support the family’s various needs, such as the purchase of clothing and tickets to the cinema for the whole family. For millions of Polish families, these are fundamental issues. We now want to provide this form of state support to every child without any exception. It is the best investment in the future of the nation,” stressed the Prime Minister. The benefits are allocated regardless of the family’s income. The government has also adopted a draft law which provides for an additional PLN 500 benefit for persons over 18 years of age who

are in difficult circumstances and unable to function independently. “Responsible economic development leaves no-one behind. We are able to implement this extremely important social project this year. It was our promise and we will keep it,” Prime Minister Morawiecki said. An average allowance of PLN 500 will depend on the amount of old age or disability pension collected by the person entitled to receive the benefit. It will not be taxed. Prime Minister Morawiecki noted that the true measure of humanity is the way in which the most vulnerable citizens are treated. He pointed out that this project is part of the Accessibility Plus package, aimed at eliminating barriers, providing specialist care, as well as the funds for the purchase of medicines. Funding for the disability benefits will be sourced from the Solidarity Support Fund for the Disabled.

NO MORE BLANK SPOTS

A piece of legislation has entered into force, whose aim is to re-establish local bus connections. It is a great opportunity to stimulate another huge wave of Polish capitalism,” Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told a meeting with local government officials in Warsaw on July 18. He observed that reviving local bus links, half of which have been closed in the past 20 years, is

PRIME MINISTER MATEUSZ MORAWIECKI MEETS PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION URSULA VON DER LEYEN

We will jointly seek to bring about a new opening, build a Europe of compromise, a Europe of common ground on many important issues, such as trade, energy, economy and innovation,” said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki when greeting President-elect of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in Warsaw on July 25. He congratulated Ursula von der Leyen on her appointment as head of the European Commission (EC), a post of key importance for the European Union’s future. He said it would be a good, new time for Europe. The meeting with the EC president was held in an atmosphere of mutual understanding of the challenges the EU is facing. In his conversation with Ursula von der Leyen, the prime minister expressed his hope that the new EC president would be implementing the Commission’s policy in the spirit of compromise. Mateusz Morawiecki presented the expectations of the Polish government when it comes to appointments to European Commission posts, putting emphasis on economic matters. He stressed the need of maintaining a geographical balance in awarding the posts. The prime minister proposed Krzysztof Szczerski, head of the Polish President’s Office, for the post of an EU commissioner. 8/2019 polish market

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