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| Capital city: |
Warsaw |
| Surface area: |
313,000 sq km |
| Population: |
38.1 million |
| Official language(s): |
Polish |
| Head of State: |
President HE Mr Lech Kaczynski |
| Head of Government: |
Prime Minister Mr Donald Tusk |
| Australian exports to Poland: |
A$39 million |
| Australian imports from Poland: |
A$319 million |
| Poland's principal export destinations: |
Germany, Italy, France |
| Poland's principal import sources: |
Germany, Russian Federation, China | (Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Country economic fact sheet) |
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Economic climate
Key economic indicators and statistics for 2008:
- GDP – U$567.4 billion
- GPD per capita – U$14,893
- Real GDP growth – 5.2 per cent
- Inflation – 3 per cent
(Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Country economic fact sheet
As a 'transition' economy there is still high unemployment, as previously state owned enterprises are restructured, but the basic fundamentals are sound. |
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Poland is a democratic state, ruled by law and implementing the principles of social justice. The supreme law of Poland is the Constitution that was passed on 2 April 1997 and ratified in a national referendum.
Poland’s system of government is based on the separation of and balance between the legislative, executive and judicial powers. Legislative power is vested in the Sejm (Lower House) and the Senate, executive power is vested in the President of Poland and the Council of Ministers, and the judicial power is vested in courts and tribunals.
Poland is a member of NATO and the OECD.
The current President is Lech Kaczynski (elected for five years). The next election is in 2010.
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Trade relations and statistics
Major Australian exports to Poland (2007-08):
- Coke and semi-coke – A$11 million
- Medicaments (including veterinary) – A$5 million
- Alcoholic beverages – A$3 million
- Manufactures of base metal – A$2 million
Major Australian imports from Poland (2007-08):
- Goods vehicles – A$35 million
- Furniture, mattresses and cushions – A$33 million
- Vehicle parts and accessories – A$31 million
- Household-type equipment – A$21 million
(Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Country economic fact sheet)
Australian companies have made promising inroads in less traditional (non-commodities) areas such as:
- telecommunications
- computerisation of government services
- packaging, food handling and processing
- beverages
- health
- architecture
- building and construction
- education
- environmental technologies
- mining equipment
There is significant potential for growth in Australian trade and investment in these areas as the Polish economy further expands, incomes rise and demand diversifies.
Since 1995, the European Union (EU) has consistently accounted for around 70 per cent of Poland’s exports and around two-thirds of its imports. Within the EU, Germany is Poland’s dominant trade partner. |
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