Why Poland?

Poland has been one of the fastest developing countries in the EU in recent years. In 2017 it was ranked by the World Bank as the 27th easiest country in which to do business.

Poland is located at the crossroads of European trade and transport routes. It can be an entry point to other Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries as well as emerging markets further east

€85.2 billion from EU structural and cohesion funds for the years 2014 to 2020 will be invested in a range of projects in Poland.

Market benefits

Benefits for UK businesses exporting to Poland include:

• Huge domestic market with over 38 million consumers
• Widespread English language use, particularly amongst younger people
• Strong, dynamic economy
• Access to emerging markets of Eastern Europe
• Regular flights

Market strengths

Strengths of the Polish market include:

• Stable political situation, with EU and NATO membership
• Central location in Europe
• Large domestic market
• €105.8 billion EU fund allocation between 2014 and 2020
• Highly qualified and competitive labour force
• Improving business conditions – Poland is the top 30 if the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index
• Increasing transparency - Poland is in the top 30 of Transparency International‘s Corruption Perception Index
• Investment incentives in Special Economic Zones (SEZ), business and technology parks
• Ready availability of lawyers, accountants and consultants to help foreign businesses

After France and Germany, Poland is the market with the highest growth of 27% since 2013 and the exports of Scottish goods and services to Poland have almost tripled between 2006 and 2016 from £110 million to £310 million.

In 2017 for the first time Poland globally ranked among the Top 20 Scottish export markets and there are substantial opportunities to grow international trade and investment between the two countries across a range of sectors and industries.

Sector opportunities

The market visit will be multi sector. However, the following sectors have been identified by our Scottish Development International (SDI) field team as offering good opportunities:

• Premium food & beverages
• Organic products, electromobility
• Infrastructure
• Construction
• ICT
• Ecology/air quality
• Renewable energy/wind energy
• Silver economy
• E-commerce
• Digital payment solutions

Draft programme

Wednesday 29 January

• Arrive in Warsaw 
• Transfer to hotel
• Delegates welcome dinner (pm)

Thursday 30 January

• Market briefing (am)
• One-to-one meetings/site visits (pm)
• Networking reception (evening)

Friday 31 January

• Debriefing breakfast session
• One-to-one company meetings (am)
• Flight back to Scotland (afternoon)

A pre-visit briefing and training session will take place on 18 November in Scotland. It will cover market research, cultural aspects, routes to market, financial implications for trading in Poland and give a chance for the delegates to meet before the visit.

Market visit support

SDI will support companies attending before, during and after the market visit with the following:

• Connect with experts and professionals on the ground, such as SDI market specialists, business associations, Department for International Trade (DIT), local businesses, accountants, solicitors
• Provide market research to support delegates to set up one to one meetings with potential agents, distributors, clients, buyers, partners while in market
• Export training prior to the visit to make sure all delegates are market ready and understand the culture, finance, route to market options
• Financial funding for 50% flights and accommodation (up to £200) for eligible companies
• Companies are responsible for booking own flights and accommodation. However, we will suggest flights and hotels, so the delegation can travel as a group and stay in the same location.

How to apply

Download an application form (MS Word Doc, 74kB)

Email your completed application form to kristell.clunie@scotent.co.uk by Monday 11 November 2019.