(Last updated: 27 Apr 2012)

Current business situation

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to Poland. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.

Country facts

(Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Country economic fact sheet)

Economic climate

As a 'transition' economy there is still high unemployment, as previously state owned enterprises are restructured, but the basic fundamentals are sound.

For the latest key economic indicators and statistics, please see the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade country economic fact sheet.

Political climate

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.

Trade relations and statistics

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.

Please see the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade country economic fact sheet for key trade statistics.