The dispute between Poland's government and Italy's UniCredito over a major bank merger will not discourage foreign companies from investing in the largest central European country, a top investment official said on Friday. Reuters reported The battle to stop the Polish part of UniCredito's takeover of Germany's HVB has already led to a bitter feud with the central bank and worried local business groups. But Adam Zolnowski, head of the state investment agency, reiterated that Poland hoped to attract $10 billion in foreign direct investment this year, up from an estimated $8.5 billion in 2005. "I cannot see any negative impact on foreign investments," Zolnowski told reporters. "Every day, from dawn till dusk, I have numerous meetings with many investors and I can tell you there is nothing bad happening." Poland is fighting to become foreign investors' top choice in central and eastern Europe. Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic all have greater FDI relative to their size. Some central bankers and economists have said Poland's image might be tarnished by some of its high-profile disputes with companies. --More 21 00 Local Time 18 00 GMT
