The most important factor when it comes to attracting foreign investors to operate in both manufacturing and services in Poland is the country's strategic geographical position in central Europe.
During the period 1990-1999 the Polish labor efficiency rose by 82 percent. A fact that should not be overlooked is that Poland, with almost 40 million inhabitants, has the largest consumer market in Central Europe.
In recent years, the major consumer booms have resulted in almost 100 hypermarkets, where foreign companies have invested about 4 billion dollars.
Investors can make their investments in, for example, special economic zones where tax incentives are offered.
The EU is currently Poland's largest trading partner. 70 percent of Poland's exports go to EU countries like Germany, Italy, France and the UK. The main export products are automobiles, furniture and ships. 60 percent of the imports are from EU countries.
Poland is no longer a market with few opportunities. In terms of the market's remarkable openness, it is now ranked as a medium-sized central European economy. A clear change of attitude has been noted in the Polish attitude to domestic products. Consumers affected by advertising and require quality feel that Polish products are often much better than foreign.
The advertising market was one of the markets that started from zero, but in 1999 they achieved the same level of advertising spending as the UK. The Polish advertising market accounts for 1.3 percent of the country´s GDP and is in 21st place in the world in regards to size.
Cecilia Helland