IMF extends Poland $30bn credit line

The Polish economy avoided recession during the global downturn

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a two-year, $30bn (£19bn) credit facility with Poland, replacing a one-year arrangement agreed in July.

The IMF said Poland viewed the facility as "precautionary and does not intend to draw [on it]".

It said that the Polish economy had gathered momentum in 2010, but that "sizeable downside risks remain".

The primary risk was spillover from "financial turbulence" in other parts of Europe, the body said.

Poland is one of the few economies to have avoided recession in the past two years, and despite the credit extension, the IMF said the country's economic growth is likely "to remain solid and balanced".

The extended credit facility would, however, would help "to insure Poland against external risks", it added.

The new facility replaces the $21bn credit line agreed last year.