Good growth prospects for Poland. - According to Eurostat forecasts, Poland has recorded the best forecasts for growth in the whole European Union for 2012. With GDP estimates in 2011 revised upwards to 4.3%, Poland will have achieved a growth rate of almost 3 times the EU27 average. In 2012, the pace is expected to slow down to 2.5% but Poland will remain in the lead, far in front of Germany (0.6%) and Sweden (0.7%). According to the Central Europe specialist at Natixis consultants, growth in Poland has been maintained by strong domestic demand (38 million inhabitants), compared to the Czech Republic and Hungary, which are much more dependent on their exports. Polish dynamism was also bolstered by sustained investment, up 10.3% annually in the fourth quarter. Poland has benefited from substantial European funds, up to 3% of its GDP and investments are concentrated essentially based in infrastructure projects. (IL/transl.fl)