Polish economy – the story of a major transformation
08.07.2022

International trade and commerce factored heavily in Poland’s economic growth and prosperity since its political transformation in 1989. Since then Poland has harnessed change for competitive advantage and built the largest Central European economy by responding to key global challenges.
After transformation, as Poland became more integrated into global supply chains, it continued to embrace foreign investments as a source of capital, growth and knowledge, making great use of various technological transfers and an emerging R&D base. All of this contributed to its prominent position amongst the most attractive FDI destinations in Europe. Between 1990-2019, Poland recorded one of the highest GDP per capita growth rates in the OECD and EU countries, and was the only economy in Europe to stave off the recession in 2008. It should come as no surprise then that in the years 1990 – 2018 Polish economy grew by 381%.

From local to international
Here are examples that illustrate the transformation that Poland has undergone over the last three decades. Nowadays, Poland is a well-known hub for electromobility. After Ochang in South Korea, Naning in China, Holland and USA, LG Chem chose Wrocław to be a part of its global production system. 68 km from there, in Jawor, Daimler AG, one of the world’s leading car manufacturers, launched its engine production facility, specialized in the production of four-cylinder engines. Korean SKC Group, in turn, chose the city of Stalowa Wola, near A4 expressway and Rzeszów-Jesionka Airport, to be the centre of its European base of operations. Each year Poland attractiveness increase in terms of the FDI. Including the above mentioned examples, in 2021 Poland attracted 423 new FDI projects, many of them in STEM and green energy fields.
But there is a much larger story behind this success. Stalowa Wola is part of the Tarnobrzeg Special Economic Zone, one of Poland’s 14 special economic zones spread across the country. This, as well as the other Zones, are aided in their mission and endeavours by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, which cooperates with both local and international institutions. Through its network of over fifty Foreign Trade Offices, PAIH promotes Poland and the Polish economy abroad, supporting export from the country and attracting FDI. Foreign investors are provided with reviews of macroeconomic and microeconomic factors and cost drivers at each location. Investors, who decided to visit Poland, are supported by a Project Manager that will arrange all necessary meetings in public administration and with owners of selected sites, as well as prepare itinerary of a trip. Large multinationals like LG Chem, smaller enterprises and entrepreneurs alike can rely on the PAIH’s professional consultants helping them find partners, suppliers or an adequate site for their investment. Currently, PAIH is providing assistance in multiple projects across a variety of sectors, including BSS, electromobility, automotive, food processing, R&D, and others. Entrepreneurs from South Korea, USA, Belarus, Germany and China, constitutes the biggest group of beneficiaries of the projects supported by PAIH.

Since its inception, PAIH has finalized projects worth over 30 billion EUR in total, which in turn contributed to the creation of over 250 thousand new workplaces. Since 2016, the agency had supported dozens of investment projects in the electromobility sector alone worth more than 6 billion EUR. Thanks to these projects, over 13,000 jobs for highly qualified workers and engineers were created.
Why Poland?
Poland is the largest country in Central and Eastern Europe and the 6th largest in Europe. 60% of its the population is at working age, which means a workforce of 23 million people. Human capital and cheap skilled labour costs attract foreign entrepreneurs to invest in Poland. Each year Polish universities turn out 37,500 engineers, which places us second behind Germany in the EU. Talented and well-educated employees as well as a healthy environment for start-ups attracted the most Venture Capital investments in the CEE region. It is worth mentioning that Poland has one of the highest levels of public support for new investments, which can reach up to 70% of the investment costs!

Thanks to the country’s stable, predictable and diversified economy, Poland was the only country in Europe to avoid the financial crisis of the years 2007 – 2008. Polish companies figure strongly in the European production chains. Owing to its strategic location in the heart of Europe, Poland provides excellent connection to both Eastern and Western countries, which translates to unlimited access to the EU market of 446 million inhabitants that can be reached overland, by flight or freight.
As part of a larger EU budget for the years 2021-2027, Poland will be spending 8.6 billion Euros on development of research and innovations. This programme is going to follow five major thematic objectives set out by the EU, focussed on smarter, greener and carbon-free Europe in accordance with the plans for future sustainability. As the cooperation between the business and science strengthens, support for large investments in the so-called “priority sectors”: automotive, electronics, aviation, biotechnology, and modern services: IT centres, BPOs and telecommunications will continue to increase. These also happen to be some of the sectors Poland is most renowned for.
Are you thinking of investing abroad? Why not invest in Poland? Our investment team would be delighted to help you and there is a plethora of investments incentives waiting for you! Get in touch with PAIH via the contact form at: https://www.paih.gov.pl/contact.
- Everything
- News (265)
- Events (159)
- Get Support (82)
- Polish companies (1049)
-
ORZESZEK SPÓŁKA Z OGRANICZONĄ ODPOWIEDZIALNOŚCIĄ
Fruit, vegetables, mushrooms and products thereofCereals and products of the milling industryOther food productsShow allOrzeszek company for more than 20 years we have been selecting, confectioning and selling high-quality foods: nuts, dried fruits, grains, cereals, honey, spices and products from other food categories. As an experienced partner, we assist in the entire process, from product delivery to packaging creation and distribution. We have a network of proven subcontractors and our own logistics facilities. We have been certified by IFS Food, which enables food safety and quality systems.
ArticleTrade war US vs. EU – losses and gains
The economies of all parties will have to adapt to the new reality
MOC SPÓŁKA Z OGRANICZONĄ ODPOWIEDZIALNOŚCIĄ
Intriguing trade stands and more! Check out our offers and services NOW! Our products are ecological, aesthetically pleasing, attract customers, are original, handmade and patented and at an attractive price. With us you will sell your products easily!
Z3X SPÓŁKA Z OGRANICZONĄ ODPOWIEDZIALNOŚCIĄ
At Z3X Tech Care Group, we specialize in transforming visionary concepts into actionable strategies that we execute for our clients. By combining innovative thinking with industry expertise, we turn your business ideas into tangible results that drive growth. We focus on helping companies evolve into forward-thinking leaders, paving the way for sustainable growth and a lasting competitive advantage.
-
Article
The AI revolution on the Polish labour market
AI is already widely used in areas such as industry, finance and the service sector
ArticlePoland is a power in the export of grave candles
Poland ranks first in Europe and second in the world in terms of the value of grave candle exports
-
Event
Polish-Chinese Business Forum
The event will be an excellent opportunity to strengthen relations between Polish and Chinese entrep…
EventFintech in India – introduction to the Intellectual Property Protection Sec…
Due to its dynamic economic development India is also a promising direction of expansion for Polish …
-
Institution
Polish Cement Association
The fundamental aim of the Polish Cement Association is to develop a cement industry in Poland. The …
InstitutionPolish Chamber of Organic Food
Polish Chamber of Organic Food is a sector organization which associates farmers, producers, process…
-
MAX GRAIN POLSKA SPÓŁKA Z OGRANICZONĄ ODPOWIEDZIALNOŚCIĄ
Other goodsShow allThe main activity of Max Grain Polska is the purchase and sale of agricultural products and their export to European, Asian and African markets. Such as: wheat, corn, rapeseed, rye, barley, peas, beans, etc. We have warehouses in the Polish port of Gdańsk. We have extensive experience in shipping grain by sea in bulk and in 20″ and 40″ containers. We deal with all export documents, we have all the required certificates.
FABRYKA MEBLI "MEBLO-SYSTEM" SPÓŁKA Z OGRANICZONĄ ODPOWIEDZIALNOŚCIĄ
The basic profile of the company is the production system furniture and unusual, designed to equip offices, hotels, restaurants, conference rooms, banks, halls customer service, shops, pharmacies and any other premises and facilities. Manufactured by us furniture is shipped to customers in both domestic and foreign. A large share of the total value of sales is exported, mainly to Germany, France, England and Ukraine.
PHOTOCATALYTIC GATE PIOTR CZECH
ServicesCultural and recreational servicesBusiness servicesIT and TelecommunicationConstructionTravelTransport and courier servicesRenovation and construction materialsBiotechnology and pharmaceuticsYachtsMedical equipmentMachinery and parts thereofIndustrial machinery and mechanical appliances and parts thereofMeasuring instruments and apparatus and parts thereofAgricultural machinery and parts thereofOther instruments and apparatusElectromechanical appliances and parts thereofFoodLive bovine animals and beefAlcoholic and non-alcoholic beveragesLive poultry and meat of fowlsDairy productsLive swine and porkFruit, vegetables, mushrooms and products thereofPrepared meat and sausagesBaked goods and sugar confectioneryOther meats and live animalsCereals and products of the milling industryFish and seafoodAnimal foodOther food productsTobaccoVehiclesAutomotive industryCombustion engines, motors and parts thereofLocomotives, rolling stock, special vehicles and parts thereofElectric engines and batteriesAerospace industryTiresVehicle parts (excluding engines)Other goodsShow allPHOTOCATALYTIC GATE is a manufacturer of innovative technology for air and surface disinfection based on the enhanced TiO2/Cu+UV and TiO2/Cu+O3+UV photocatalysis process. Effectiveness against viruses and bacteria is confirmed by research at the Medisept Research and Development Center. Microbiological effectiveness in real conditions is confirmed by scientific research conducted by the Agricultural University of Krakow at the Poultry Hatching Department.
KyooTom Tomasz Mazurkiewicz
Business servicesShow allBoost your business visibility on Google with KyooTom! We offer complete SEO services – from audits and content planning to local and national optimization. Our strategies drive traffic, increase sales, and strengthen your brand image. Transparent, results-driven, and tailored to your goals. Book a consultation and see real results!
The Export Promotion Portal uses cookies to make it easier for users to use the website and for statistical purposes. If you do not block these files, you agree to their use and saving in the memory of your computer or other device. Remember that you can change your browser settings to block the storage of cookies. More information can be found in Privacy Policy and Terms and conditions.