FOCUS ON POLAND
We analyse market opportunities in Poland for sheet metal manufacturers .
Poland has emerged as an important and dynamic market since the country
“ The well-diversified Polish economy has began its transition to democracy and
proved to be one of the a market-driven economy in 1989 . It is the most resilient in the largest market among the former Eastern European Union ( EU ).” bloc countries of Central Europe . It became a member of the European Union ( EU ) in 2004 .
It is also geographically important , located at the heart of Europe and connecting Asia to Western Europe with excellent transport infrastructure . Four main European trade corridors intersect in Poland . The country ranks fifth in Europe in terms of total length of expressways ( over 4,000km ) and has the fourth longest rail network in the EU . Three key rail corridors pass through Poland ’ s territory . Poland is also a key European logistical hub : the Deepwater Container Terminal Gdańsk ( DCT Gdańsk ) and the Central Port in Gdańsk are two major projects for Gdańsk , Gdynia and Sopot .
Poland ’ s population is also very well educated . As many as 92 percent of its citizens , aged 25-64 , have at least a secondary education . There are almost 1.3 million students studying at Polish universities , with large numbers of students majoring in STEM faculties ( science , technology , engineering and mathematics ).
In 2020 , Poland was listed 16th out of 100 in the “ EF Proficiency Index ”, which ranks countries in terms of their command of the English language among non-native speakers . According to analysis in the ABSL report , the modern business services sector in Poland provides services in 38 languages .
It is also geographically important , located at the heart of Europe and connecting Asia to Western Europe with excellent transport infrastructure
Economy and COVID-19 response
The International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) concluded its Article IV consultation with the Republic of Poland in February 2022 .
“ While the pandemic has taken its toll on lives in Poland , as elsewhere , the economy has weathered the pandemic comparatively well . After contracting 2.5 per cent in 2020 , one of the least severe recessions among members of the European Union , the economy recovered strongly in 2021 , expanding at an estimated 5.7 per cent ,” commented the International Monetary Fund ( IMF ).
The IMF had projected Poland ’ s economy to grow 4.6 per cent in 2022 .
36 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR April 2022