Should You Invest in Poland in 2021?

Investing in Poland - Impressive Data

They say the numbers don't lie, so let's begin with some data from various reports.

In 2020, the Polish Investment and Trade Agency completed 58 foreign investment projects with a total value of over €2.7 billion [1].

The value of the investments in Poland is estimated at $21.8 billion (data for 2020) [2].

Poland ranks 3rd in Europe regarding the number of greenfield investments, making it the CEE region leader [3].

Detailed studies are available online, including the Deloitte report “Investing in Poland: Untapped Potential. The Experience of German Investors” [4] and the information on the Polish Investment and Trade Agency www.paih.gow.pl website.

These reports are full of details, data and charts. The information presented in this article has been carefully selected to give you a brief overview of investing in Poland.

Well-located European Hub

The geographical location of Poland is one of the country's main assets. Important European transport routes run through Poland, and the network of highways and expressways constantly expands. Add to that the numerous transhipment terminals, ports and airports, and you'll end up with a perfect transport hub linking the West, South and East of Europe and China.

Poland is also a safe place to set up manufacturing plants. Considering the supply chain problems revealed by the COVID-19 outbreak, Poland offers a clear advantage over distant Middle Eastern countries.

Poland is Start-Up-Friendly

Numerous research institutions, academic incubators and universities involved in technological research create a favourable climate for business development based on new technologies—the population of well-qualified employees eager to grow and improve their skills is still rising. Poland's investment climate has been recognised by giants international companies such as Microsoft and Google, which invested $3 billion to build a database in Warsaw [5].

If you are in the business of developing new technologies, Poland might be the place for you. Notably, the famous start-up Booksy, one of the world's most popular platforms for making appointments at beauty salons, took its roots from here.

Industries on the Rise in Poland

The Polish economic landscape is as diverse as its natural landscape. Investment in e-mobility, smart cities, smart homes and renewable energy sources is rising. You will be satisfied if your company specialises in IT or operates in the automotive sector. The furniture, fashion and cosmetics industries also have the potential for success.

Open-Minded Consumers

Let's remember that there are people behind the numbers. Entering the Polish market means accessing a population of 38 million consumers who enjoy using mobile applications, playing video games and discovering modern technologies.

Poland was ranked 2nd among Europe's top 10 cashless countries [6]. The majority of Poles use payment terminals and other innovative solutions.

If you set up a business in Poland, you can also find well-educated and specialised employees. According to the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, "nearly 1.3 million students study at Polish universities, which makes Poland 4th in Europe regarding the number of students" [7]. Many of those students specialise in science, engineering or mathematics.

COVID-19-proof Stability of Poland

The Polish economy is recognised as stable and with high growth dynamics. The economic crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic has finally slowed down, and analysts say that Poland has fared better than the average country in European Union.

Poland is the Perfect Country to Invest in

Is Poland the perfect country to invest in? Although the overall landscape seems promising, you must know the potential difficulties in doing business in Poland.

The common barriers to effective business development in Poland include tax regulations, tax rates and political instability. At the same time, you can also take advantage of special economic zones located in many regions of Poland. To invest in Poland successfully, you must have a firm grasp of the economic reality, keep up to date with changing regulations and immerse yourself in the local atmosphere.

One of my tasks as a translator is to provide linguistic and business support to entrepreneurs starting their businesses in the Polish market. I will help you take the first steps by facilitating communication with various authorities or contractors.

The cultural context of translations, which goes beyond linguistic correctness, is critical in succeeding in a new market. My translations are properly localised and bring foreign brands closer to Polish audiences.

To sum up: Should you invest in Poland? Let the data answer that. According to the 12th edition of the investment climate survey conducted by Grant Thornton, the Polish Investment and Trade Agency and HSBC, 94% of foreign investors would invest in Poland again [8].

1 https://www.paih.gov.pl/20210113/paih_podsumowuje_rok, accessed on: 23.09.2021.
2 https://www.paih.gov.pl/polska_w_liczbach/potencjal_inwestycyjny, accessed on: 23.09.2021.
3 https://www.paih.gov.pl/polska_w_liczbach/potencjal_inwestycyjny, accessed on: 23.09.2021.
4 https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/pl/Documents/Reports/pl_inwestycje_w_polsce_raport_1%20.pdf
5 https://www.paih.gov.pl/polska_w_liczbach/innowacyjny_kraj_z_ogromnym_potencjalem, accessed on: 23.09.2021.
6 https://www.paih.gov.pl/polska_w_liczbach/kapital_ludzki_i_statystyki, accessed on: 23.09.2021.
7 https://www.paih.gov.pl/polska_w_liczbach/kapital_ludzki_i_statystyki, accessed on: 23.09.2021.
8 https://grantthornton.pl/publikacja/inwestycje-zagraniczne-w-polsce-dlaczego-warto/, accessed on: 23.09.2021.