POLAND

2POLANDthe european times

Polands Fact File

Of cial name: republic of polandLocation: Central europe, east of GermanyCapital: WarsawBorder countries: 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 unspecifi ed 2.7% (2002 census)

Religions: roman Catholic 89.8% (about 75% practicing), eastern orthodox 1.3%, protestant 0.3%, other 0.3%, unspecifi ed 8.3% (2002

Of cial Language: polishCurrency: polish ZlotyArea: total: 312,685 sq km Land: 304,255 sq km Water: 8,430 sq kmTerrain: mostly fl at plain; mountains along southern

borderTransportation: airports: 125; railway network: 19,428 km; road

network: 423,997 km

Politics

Government type: republicIndependence: 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 fi nal

Chief of state: president Bronislaw Komorowski (since 6 august 2010)

Head of government: prime minister Donald tusk (since 16 november 2007); Deputy prime minister Waldemar paWLaK (since 16 november 2007)

Economy at a Glance

GDP (ppp): 550.24 billion (2011 est.)GDP per capita: 14,446 (2011 est.)GDP real growth rate: 3.8% (2011 est.)GDP by sector: 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%, nether-lands 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%, nether-lands 6%, italy 5.8%, China 5.6%, France 4.5%, Czech republic 4.2% (2009)

Source: www.cia.gov

Business & Investment Opportunities

investors rank poland the right Choice

German-polish Chamber top source of information on polands Business Climate

British-polish Chamber: two Decades of supporting Business Links

Poland is underestimated. Investors should be more aware of

its great potential.Michael Kern, Managing Director

German-Polish Chamber of Commerce

Pomerania

Gdansk mayor highlights Citys transformation

Gdynia: Dynamic Business sector, high Quality of Life

port of Gdynia Growing rapidly

Projects like the Pomeranian Science and Technology Park have helped spur on innovation-based

enterprises here.Wojciech Szczurek, Mayor of Gdynia

Greater Poland

poznan: highly skilled human Capital for Cutting-edge Fields

poznan Capital of research and Culture

Poznans 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

Lodz mayor Leading Vast urban-renewal project

Lodz: polands Business Crossroads

economic Zone makes Lodz region ideal Base for Business

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