From Farmers to Fishers

Book excerpt: With external financial help and advice, Poland has made great strides toward sustainable growth. The country's currency is stable, its international creditworthiness has been restored, and its private sector now accounts for two-thirds of GDP. This review evaluates the overall relevance, efficacy, and efficiency of World Bank assistance to Poland and finds that the Bank's technical advice and intellectual support were pivotal in facilitating the work of Polish reformers. The book explores various stages in the evolution of the Bank's assistance to Poland: systemic and institutional transformation and social improvement; private sector and infrastructure development; implementation and supervision; and, results and recommendations. Boxes, figures, and tables illustrate the Bank's assistance strategy, including information on the distribution of Bank resources among Central Eastern and European countries, total Bank commitments to Poland by fiscal year, and a summary of the strengths and weaknesses of Bank assistance to Poland.