POLAND
the european times
POLAND
Poland’s Fact File
Official name: Location: Capital: Border countries:
republic of poland Central europe, east of Germany Warsaw Belarus, Czech republic, Germany, Lithuania, russia (Kaliningrad oblast), slovakia, and ukraine Climate: temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and thundershowers Population: 38,415,284 (July 2011 est.) Ethnic groups: polish 96.7%, German 0.4%, Belarusian 0.1%, ukrainian 0.1%, other and unspecified 2.7% (2002 census) Religions: roman Catholic 89.8% (about 75% practicing), eastern orthodox 1.3%, protestant 0.3%, other 0.3%, unspecified 8.3% (2002 Official Language: polish Currency: polish Zloty Area: total: 312,685 sq km Land: 304,255 sq km Water: 8,430 sq km Terrain: mostly flat plain; mountains along southern border Transportation: airports: 125; railway network: 19,428 km; road network: 423,997 km
Politics Government type: republic Independence: 11 november 1918 (republic proclaimed) Legal system: Civil law system; changes gradually being introduced as part of broader democratisation process; limited judicial review of legislative acts, but rulings of the Constitutional tribunal are final
2
Chief of state: Head of government:
president Bronislaw Komorowski (since 6 august 2010) prime minister Donald tusk (since 16 november 2007); Deputy prime minister Waldemar paWLaK (since 16 november 2007)
Economy at a Glance GDP (ppp): GDP per capita: GDP real growth rate: GDP by sector:
€550.24 billion (2011 est.) €14,446 (2011 est.) 3.8% (2011 est.) agriculture: 3.4% industry: 33.6% services: 63% (2011 est) Industries: machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles Total exports: €141.66 billion (2011 est.) Export commodities: machinery and transport equipment 37.8%, intermediate manufactured goods 23.7%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 17.1%, food and live animals 7.6% Major export partners: Germany 26.9%, France 7.1%, uK 6.4%, italy 6.3%, Czech republic 6.2%, netherlands 4.3%, russia 4.1% (2009) Total imports: €156.6 billion (2011 est.) Import commodities: machinery and transport equipment 38%, intermediate manufactured goods 21%, chemicals 15%, minerals, fuels, lubricants, and related materials 9% Major import partners: Germany 29.1%, russia 8.8%, netherlands 6%, italy 5.8%, China 5.6%, France 4.5%, Czech republic 4.2% (2009) Source: www.cia.gov
• Investors Rank Poland the Right Choice • German-Polish Chamber Top Source of Information on Poland’s Business Climate • British-Polish Chamber: Two Decades of Supporting Business Links
Business & Investment Opportunities
“Poland is underestimated. Investors should be more aware of its great potential.” Michael Kern, Managing Director German-Polish Chamber of Commerce
• Gdansk Mayor Highlights City’s Transformation • Gdynia: Dynamic Business Sector, High Quality of Life • Port of Gdynia Growing Rapidly
Pomerania
“Projects like the Pomeranian Science and Technology Park have helped spur on innovation-based enterprises here.” Wojciech Szczurek, Mayor of Gdynia
• Poznan: Highly Skilled Human Capital for Cutting-Edge Fields • Poznan Capital of Research and Culture
Greater Poland
“Poznan’s well-educated population is one of its key attractions for investors, along with our well-developed internal markets and the efficiency of the local business sector.” Ryszard Grobelny, Mayor of Poznan
• Lodz Mayor Leading Vast Urban-Renewal Project • Lodz: Poland’s Business Crossroads • Economic Zone Makes Lodz Region Ideal Base for Business
Lodz
“Lodz has a strategic location as a European hub, our people are very friendly and creative and open to other cultures, and the city has a high quality of life.” Hannah Zdanowska, Mayor of Lodz