Since Poland joined the EU in 2004 the conditions for foreign investors, import and export improved even more.

The strong economic growth is the major factor that attracts foreign and Swedish investments in Poland. Lots of companies in particular automotive and engineering industries are helping to develop the country.

The privatization of small and large state-owned enterprises and the liberal rules to start up a new business has led to that many companies established new factories in Poland.

The capital Warsaw is the country's economic center and is ranked high in Central Europe in regards to foreign investment. Poland has become an attractive investment country for companies abroad. Poland's largest trading partners today are Germany, Italy, Russia, France and China.

In 2004, Poland joined the EU. Since then, the trade between Poland and Sweden has developed intensively. Now, when imports and exports have become so easy, even smaller companies are able to do business on the other side of the Baltic Sea.

Poland's strength also lies in the workforce as the country offers a young, well educated and ambitious society. In the long term, this is of great importance because their salary can be as much as five times lower than Western European countries. The average wage in Poland is 1,300 Euro, but it can vary widely depending on work.

The minimum wage is at only 400 Euro. The low wages are obviously a major factor to why many investors and companies see Poland as a market with good opportunities for well-trained workforce while keeping the costs down.

                                                                                       Cecilia Helland