ISMR May 2026 | Page 30

“ The IMF concluded in February that Poland’ s near-term outlook is favourable with growth projected to accelerate to 3.5 per cent in 2026, driven by a sharp increase in EU fund execution and monetary easing.”

Over the past two decades, Poland has achieved rapid income gains through trade integration and participation in European supply chains. It has emerged as a strategic hub for manufacturing, logistics and industrial investment in Central and Eastern Europe. Poland’ s economy has doubled in size over the past two decades as it grew faster than neighbouring Central European countries and at twice the OECD average. Living standards in Poland have also risen significantly in the past two decades, with GDP per capita doubling since 2005.

Based at the heart of Europe, with excellent transport infrastructure, Poland is a key distribution base for companies operating in many markets. Four main European trade corridors intersect in Poland; three key rail corridors also pass through Poland’ s territory. The country has become a logistical gateway to Europe with access to the Baltic Sea, bordering Germany, and a well-developed road and rail infrastructure. Poland is a key European logistical hub; the Deepwater Container Terminal Gdańsk( DCT Gdańsk) and the Central Port in Gdańsk are two examples.
Poland is reportedly the seventh largest exporter of automotive parts in the world. Polish companies are also developing advanced charging systems, zero-emission vehicles and software for intelligent energy management( from single stations to entire fleets). With competitive labour costs, a skilled workforce, robust infrastructure and access to the EU market, Poland offers strong benefits for overseas investors.
Trade, investment and forecasts

MADE IN POLAND

With competitive labour costs, a skilled workforce, robust infrastructure and access to the EU market, Poland offers strong benefits for overseas investors.
Major Polish investments to support the development of Polish companies, ensure security of supply and support the development of local jobs include the Port Polska investment programme. The programme is moving from the preparation phase to the implementation stage, with construction work planned to start in September 2026. This year alone, tenders for tasks worth about PLN 40 billion are expected to be announced.
The Polish Investment and Trade Agency ended 2025 with an impressive balance of activities in direct investment support. The Agency successfully completed 64 projects with a total declared value of more than € 4 billion and declared employment of over 6,600 jobs. This included the construction in Zawiercie of a major plant for the recovery of critical metals.
“ Poland has maintained rapid growth, albeit partly at the cost of a sharp rise in fiscal imbalances. In the near term, growth will remain robust, helped by significant EU disbursements and recent monetary easing. The policy priorities are reducing the fiscal deficit to stabilise public debt and fostering more innovation to help sustain high productivity growth,” commented the IMF( International Monetary Fund) in February 2026.
The IMF’ s Executive Board concluded its 2025 Article IV Consultation with the Republic of Poland on 3 February 2026.“ Poland has shown significant resilience to recent global shocks. The primary driver for growth has been private consumption due to a strong rebound in real wages. Fiscal stimulus in recent years has also played a role. These expansionary forces have been partially counterbalanced by appropriately tight monetary policy which dampened private investment. In addition, while direct exposure to U. S. tariffs is limited, export growth has been moderate, largely due to soft EU demand. The current account has fallen to one per cent of GDP deficit, reflecting a rapid increase in imports,” said the IMF.
“ Fiscal imbalances have widened considerably. In 2025, the fiscal
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