From communist chaos to beacon of hope
When Raf Uzar swapped the greenery of Japan’s Kobayashi for the dark urban expanse of Łódź, it’s fair to say the shock was both cultural and professional. Now – and several years later - he sees Poland’s burgeoning strengths as a blueprint for success in a post-war Ukraine.
From communist chaos to beacon of hope
When Raf Uzar swapped the greenery of Japan’s Kobayashi for the dark urban expanse of Łódź, it’s fair to say the shock was both cultural and professional. Now – and several years later - he sees Poland’s burgeoning strengths as a blueprint for success in a post-war Ukraine.
I arrived in the dark, grey urban expanse that was the city of Łódź (pronounced ‘Wuj’) after living and working in the picturesque green town of Kobayashi in Japan. My tranquil and harmonic environs had been replaced by a post-communist local metropolis in flux, a ‘wild west’ lying in the east.
The shock to my system was utterly visceral and could be felt to my very core: mental, physical, sociological, but also political and economic. The new broom that was sweeping the landscape was not only cleaning but purging.
The great transformation
At the time I was unaware of what I was caught up in, but history recounts it as the “post-communist transformation” when Poland transmogrified from a communist, centrally planned, corrupt economy to a fully-fledged capitalist democracy.
Old institutions were crumbling and new businesses were flourishing like mushrooms after the rain. New shops were seemingly popping up on the high street every week and there was a fresh energy fizzing through the air, infecting everyone and everything it touched.
The electricity spreading through the country saw me move to Poland’s capital, Warsaw. Soon after, the country was inducted into the NATO hall of fame in 1999 and then joined the European Union in 2004. Fast forward 20 years and Poland is now one of the leading “western” countries pushing for global support of Ukraine in its fight with Russia.
Brave new world
The country has gone from strength-to-strength and after the turmoil of the global pandemic and recent inflation, dubious political decisions and legislative doubts, Poland remains a stable European economy. In fact, the land of the Poles is seeing a new wave of investment on the back of its support for Ukraine.
Poland continues to remain a top destination for foreign direct investment (FDI). Recent years have shown its stable political and economic environment, business-friendly policies, and a growing talent pool, make it a safe haven for inbound investment. According to the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH), statistics for 2022 show an increase of six per cent in FDI compared to 2021, with the main investors being Germany, Switzerland, and Japan.
This trend is likely to continue in the foreseeable future as Poland offers investors several advantages.
“The appeal of Poland is two-fold. It presents an attractive investment destination for companies seeking to expand their operations in Europe. And, with a thriving market, a supportive business environment, a growing talent pool, and opportunities to access EU funding, Poland is poised for continued growth and success.”
Poland’s digital playbook
Firstly, Poland has embraced digital transformation, making it an attractive destination for businesses in tech and other industries. In today's digital age, businesses must be up to date with the latest technological advances to stay competitive. In Poland, companies have been investing in e-commerce, mobile apps, and other digital solutions to reach customers and streamline processes. Additionally, Polish consumers prefer to shop online, providing businesses with a ready market for products and services.
Poland’s talent makers
Secondly, Poland has a highly skilled and well-educated workforce. With more than 40 per cent of the population aged 25-64 holding a university degree, Poland has one of the highest proportions of individuals with tertiary education in Europe. This talent pool provides businesses with a competitive advantage, allowing them to tap into a highly skilled and motivated workforce. Companies can invest in training and development programs for their employees or partner with local universities and research institutions to benefit from the wealth of knowledge and expertise on offer.
Poland’s strategy for sustainability
Thirdly, Poland has been actively embracing sustainable business practices to appeal to eco-conscious consumers. The government has invested heavily in renewable energy, with a target of a 15 per cent share in the country's energy mix by 2030. Companies can contribute to sustainable development by reducing waste, using renewable energy sources, and implementing socially responsible business practices.
Poland’s future in Europe
What is more, Poland provides ample opportunities for companies to access EU funding. The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) provided more than €9 billion in funding for projects in Poland in 2019, supporting businesses, innovation, and infrastructure development. Companies can leverage these funding opportunities by working with local economic development agencies and researching available grants, subsidies and other forms of support.
Poland 3.0
Finally, Poland has one of the fastest-growing tech sectors in Europe, with a growth rate of more than 20 per cent in recent years. The country has a vibrant start-up ecosystem and is home to several accelerators and incubators, providing businesses with an excellent opportunity to foster innovation and stay ahead of the curve. Companies can encourage employee ideation and experimentation, partner with local accelerators and incubators, and invest in research and development to support innovation and bring new products and services to market more quickly.
The appeal of Poland is two-fold. It presents an attractive investment destination for companies seeking to expand their operations in Europe. And, with a thriving market, a supportive business environment, a growing talent pool, and opportunities to access EU funding, Poland is poised for continued growth and success. Companies investing in Poland can benefit from its unique advantages and position themselves for long-term success in the European market.
However, Poland can also be seen as a blueprint for success for a post-war Ukraine, and with so much genuine and sustained support going Ukraine’s way from Poland, we can only hope the whole of Europe will benefit. penteris.com