Poland Travel Guide - Business

• GDP: US$265.4 billion (2006).
• Main exports: Machinery, transport, food and live animals.
• Main imports: Minerals, fuels, lubricants, chemicals and intermediate manufactured goods.
• Main trade partners: Germany, Italy, France, UK and China.

With the collapse of the communist system at the end of the 1980s, Poland adopted the ‘big bang' strategy of rapid transition to a market economy: price controls (including subsidies) were removed at a stroke; production, distribution and trade were deregulated; large parts of the economy were privatised using a voucher system; the tax and fiscal systems were overhauled; and the national currency (the Zloty) was made fully convertible. By 2000, the private sector accounted for 70% of GDP.  

Poland became a full member of the European Union on 1 May 2004 as one of 10 new entrants. The decision to join was endorsed by 77% of the electorate in a June 2003 national referendum. 

Unemployment in 2006 was 14.9%, which was a decline of over 2% since 2005. Inflation also decreased from 0.7% in 2005 to 0.1% in 2006. Annual economic growth in 2006 was 5.8% showing an increase in previous years. Another possible factor for the decline in unemployment might be attributed the numbers of Poles leaving to find work in other countries. This phenomenon has led to a ‘brain drain' where many qualified workers within various fields have left the country to make a living.

In Poland, a formal approach is favoured and it is therefore advisable to address an associate with a title and surname unless there is an established rapport.

Office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1700; traditionally offices were open from 0700-1500.

The most popular conference venues are in Warsaw. Events are also hosted in Cracow, while Gdansk, Wroclaw and other towns are used occasionally.

Krajowa Izba Gospodarcza (Polish Chamber of Commerce)
Ulica Trebacka 4, 00-074 Warsaw, Poland
Tel: (022) 630 9639/57.
Website: www.kig.pl