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Country Commercial Guide FY2002: Poland
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1: Executive Summary
Chapter 2: Economic Trends and Outlook
A. ...
Poland became a full member of NATO in March 1999 and has set an objective of joining the European Union (EU) in 2003. ... A growing middle class and rapidly developing distribution networks are turning Poland into a more attractive market for small and medium U. ... Many western European firms have recognized this potential and have already expanded operations and sales in Poland. ...
Poland has become the leader in Central Europe in attracting foreign investors, attracting about USD 50 billion of foreign direct investment (FDI) since 1990, according to the Polish Agency for Foreign Investment (PAIZ). ... According to statistics from PAIZ, as of the end of 2000, France was the largest investor in Poland, with a total of USD 7. ... 2 billion in Poland in 2000, which significantly increased Frances total FDI in Poland. ... exports to Poland in 2000 increased to USD 2. ...
Provincial and local government can play an important role in facilitating or hindering trade and investment in Poland. There are 16 provinces in Poland. ...
Opportunities for trade and investment continue to exist across virtually all sectors in Poland. The American Chamber of Commerce in Poland, founded in 1991 with seven members, now has more than 300 members. ... and other foreign companies do business in Poland. Most believe that Poland is the best market in Central and Eastern Europe for their products and investments. ... companies doing business in Poland face strong foreign competition. ... org/Poland or Warsaw. ... It is intended to provide general information on economic and political trends and guidelines for doing business in Poland. Trade regulations and legislation in Poland are subject to frequent change. ... Major Trends and Outlook
Poland has been making steady progress in raising its living standards closer to those in the European Union (EU). Per capita income in Poland (on a purchasing power parity basis) has risen from 31 percent of the average level in the EU in 1993 to 40 percent in 2000. Nonetheless, it will take decades more for Poland to reach the EU average. ... Poland continues to liberalize its trade, foreign exchange, and investment policies in accordance with its obligations to the EU, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Poland is an applicant for full EU membership, with a target date of 2003. ... On a purchasing power parity basis, per capita income in Poland increased from USD 8,600 in 1999 to USD 8,700 in 2000. ... Government Role in the Economy
Although over the past decade Poland has transformed itself into a private-sector-led market economy, the government continues to play a large role. ... Poland has privatized nearly all small enterprises, most medium-size enterprises, and is now concentrating on the large enterprises. ...
Taxes in Poland are relatively high: VAT rates are zero, three, seven, and 22 percent; the corporate income tax is 26 percent; personal income tax brackets are 19, 30, and 40 percent. ...
Poland has attracted about USD 50 billion of FDI since 1990, according to the Polish Agency for Foreign Investment (PAIZ). ...
Poland greatly benefits from the 1991 Paris Club and the 1994 London Club debt-rescheduling agreements, which roughly cut in half Polands foreign debt. In 1995, Poland paid back all IMF drawings. ... Infrastructure Situation: Distribution
Communications, banking, insurance, accounting, and distribution systems are still developing in Poland. ... The existing rail network in Poland is relatively extensive. ... Regional Economic Integration
Poland is well advanced in its negotiations to become a full member of the EU. ... Poland has free trade agreements with a number of other European countries, as detailed in Chapter 6. ... Poland has been a member of NATO and thus a U. ... Poland has done a superb job as the formal protector of American interests in Iraq since the Gulf War and cooperates closely with the United States on such issues as nuclear non-proliferation, human rights, regional cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe, and reform of the United Nations. Poland served successfully as the Chairman in Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 1998 and chaired the Community of Democracies Initiative (CDI) and hosted CDIs first conference in Warsaw in 2000. ... Agency for International Developments Polish program in 2000, Poland was the largest recipient of U. ... Until its closeout in 2001, the Peace Corps program in Poland was one of the worlds largest. ... Bush visited Poland as part of his first trip to Europe in June 2001 and delivered the keynote foreign policy speech of the trip in Warsaw. ... visitors to Poland since 1997 included former President Bush, former President Clinton, Secretaries of State Powell and Albright, Secretary of Defense Cohen, and many Senators and Representatives. ... In addition, an open-skies agreement liberalizing airline services between Poland and the U. ...
Another issue of considerable significance is the imposition by Poland of a 50 percent European content quota for television broadcasts, which Polish television regulators assert is necessary to meet requirements for EU accession. Protection of intellectual property remains a problem in Poland where piracy rates remain high and enforcement is inadequate. In addition, Poland has in some cases applied phytosanitary standards to agricultural products in ways that effectively result in the creation of non-tariff trade barriers. Poland also seems to apply product certification procedures with much the same result. ... Factions in the current governing Solidarity Electoral Action (AWS) and several smaller opposition parties, most notably the Polish Peasant Party (PSL) and the Movement for the Reconstruction of Poland (ROP), oppose liberalization of the sale of land to foreigners, especially Germans. ... However, overall, Poland has been lowering trade barriers in accordance with its international obligations to the World Trade Organization. While all major political parties are in favor of Poland joining the EU (which means Poland will have to adjust its laws and regulations to comport with the EUs acquis communautaire), they differ in their level of enthusiasm. ... Brief Synopsis of the Political System, Schedule for Elections and Orientation of Major Political Parties
Poland is a parliamentary democracy. ...
Poland has a bicameral Parliament, comprised of a Lower House (Sejm) and Upper House (Senate). ... In a few months they became the second most popular political party in Poland.
Approximate Word count = 5171
Approximate Pages = 20.7
(250 words per page double spaced)
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