Despite the deep OECD-wide recession, the Polish economy continued to grow in 2009 due to several factors, including: monetary easing; exchange rate depreciation; relatively limited dependence on international trade; a sound banking sector and unleveraged private sector; tax cuts and other fiscal measures; and infrastructure investments linked to EU transfers and the 2012 football championship. Activity is projected to pick up, mainly driven by fixed investment, but to remain well below potential rates for some time. While headline inflation was, until recently, above the official target, it is expected to diminish steadily as economic slack increases.