Poland: One of Europe's best-kept secrets

Describe the present investment climate in Poland.
Our new economic system is only 25 years old, and we've grown constantly during that time. As we catch up with our European neighbours, our economy is expected to grow sustainably in the next 25 years. Poland is one of few places in the world with positive GDP growth.
It is a stable and attractive business destination. According to the European Attractiveness Survey 2014, Poland is the most attractive country for investment in Central and Eastern Europe (Doing Business 2015 rank: 32).
For a number of years, Poland has been attracting companies whose core businesses include electronics, BPO and R&D domestic appliances, metal, biotechnology, machinery and IT sectors, driven essentially by international software companies. Polish economy is especially friendly to sectors involved in those areas where Poland has already had, or stands a good chance of achieving, strategic success on the international stage. 
Tell us about the investment opportunities.
Poland is an increasingly attractive destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). We offer an excellent entry point for global companies looking to access the single EU market. There are many greenfield and brownfield investments in the following areas:
.Automotive
.Aviation
.Business Process Outsourcing/Shared Services (BPO/SSC).
.Electronic equipment
.Renewable resources.
.Food
.Household appliances
.IT
Which specific sectors do you want foreigners to invest in? What is the scope in these areas?
Poland is the largest magnet for FDI in Central Europe. Our rapidly developing domestic market is an attractive feature and the country is increasingly being targeted as a trade hub for the region. Large companies think very carefully where to place strategic investment. IBM, Volkswagen, LG, Procter&Gamble, France Telecom, Siemens, Cadbury Amazon and Sharp have all expanded their activity in Poland recently.
Personally, I would go for two groups of investments. Firstly, Business Process Offshoring (BPO), aviation, automotive, electronics and IT industries, as well as food processing are considered to be the most favourable sectors for investment in Poland. We offer a supportive investment climate, an excellent location at the centre of Europe and well-educated specialists.
Secondly, Eco-Farming that is on the other end of the economic spectrum and far from the industrial parks. There are farms producing high-quality natural foods. Farmers realise there is a growing demand for bio-products and are seeking the relevant certifications. Foreign importers, for their part, correctly conclude from the taste of milk or fruit produced on small farms in ecologically clean regions of Poland that the quality is very high. 
What percentage of equity can a foreign business firm hold in a Polish industry?
There are no limitations by law - so in principle 100 per cent. However there are limitations in particular sectors where some companies wish to limit the foreign equity share - like banking or strategic power companies. Between 2004-2013, the following sectors were most popular among investors: industrial manufacturing, information technology, media and communications, healthcare and retailing.
In addition, Poland creates perfect conditions for private equity investors, offering:
.Access to an absorbent market, responsible for over a third of the entire Central and Eastern Europe market.
.One of the fastest-growing EU economies, attracting investors and strategic players from around the world.
.The best developed capital market in Central and Eastern Europe.
.A stable, modern and competitive banking sector, enabling easy access to debt financing for deals.
.Fast and stable growth of consumption, giving robust growth prospects to many industries.
.Entrepreneurial spirit deeply rooted in the country's culture and a high number of managers with international experience.
.Full legal and economic integration with the EU, guaranteeing safe operating conditions for investors (procedures and regulations in line with international standards, a system ensuring protection of investors' rights). 
What is the scope for Emirati companies to invest in Poland's power, manufacturing and infrastructure sectors?
The UAE is Poland's important trading partner, not solely in the Middle East, but also globally. I am particularly pleased to ?nd the value of our bilateral trade to have tripled over the last five years, reaching the level of $1.3 billion in 2014.
Nevertheless, I am convinced that in the coming years, these ?gures will further increase. We have a lot to offer each other. Poland is highly ranked in this regard due to very low investment risk.
Our attractiveness can be attributed to a large domestic market, a competitive and well-educated human capital, political and economic stability, as well as the membership in the European Union. On the other hand, we appreciate the high rates of economic growth of the UAE and we are fully aware of the high economic potential of your country.
Thanks to its strategic location in the centre of Europe, Poland is an attractive place for manufacturers to nearshore operations and also to progressively compete for cost-effective, value-added manufacturing supported by a highly skilled workforce.
Polish Automotive sector ranks second in terms of manufacturing output and is a solid backbone of the country's economy. Thanks to flexibility and creativity of Polish workers, healthy cost structures and strong demand for vehicles and parts manufactured in Poland, the industry has emerged from the turbulent times almost intact.
It is worth to know that every sixth zloty (polish currency) in Polish export is generated by the automotive sector. Out of 40 car and engine plants located in Central Eastern Europe (CEE), 16 are based in Poland.
The country is also seen as the largest construction site in Europe due to its rapidly expanding public infrastructure network of roads, airports, seaports and railway, which have massively improved accessibility. The rapidly expanding Polish motorway network and infrastructure developments continue to strengthen the logistics potential of Poland as a central hub within Europe.
These advantages, linked with the highly skilled workforce and favourably moderate labour costs, alongside the availability of investment grants and incentives (particularly in Special Economic Zones), make Poland an attractive, business friendly location.
The development of the renewable energy sector is one of the priorities for the Polish government. The specific objectives of the Polish energy policy are to increase the proportion of energy from renewable sources in final energy consumption up to 15.5 per cent in 2020. Achieving these objectives require investments in new generation capacities.
Wind energy and the use of biomass for energy purposes are currently the most dynamically developing renewables. Therefore, Poland is gradually becoming an attractive destination for such investments.
It is estimated that more than 200 production companies work for the renewable energy sector. This market offers profits especially for those who are already deeply involved in the development of their projects, and in the future it will be most attractive to those with favourable distribution network access or investors who are able to minimise costs through the large scale of investments.
What are the major investment policies?
Poland is expected to receive ?73 billion from EU over the coming years, and while not all of it will be spent on building or modernising new roads, a fair chunk will go into carrying out much needed infrastructure investments. To get the ball rolling, the government authorities announced tenders for the construction of segments of seven new expressways across the country, and spending on new expressways until the end of 2018 is expected to reach as much as PLN 32.1 billion.
Furthermore, tenders for the construction of 11 belt roads are to be announced in due course, with PLN 4.7 billion earmarked for the purpose soon.
Moreover, the governmental grants are provided on the basis of programmes for supporting investments of major importance to the Polish economy up to 2020:
.Special Economic Zone (SEZ)
.Industrial and technology parks
.Investment incentives
How is the regulatory environment?
Poland went up in all possible rankings. Firstly, because the country enjoys an uncommon and a very attractive economic stability and secondly, because of one of the most unique Polish values - human capital quality - we are the leader in Central and Eastern Europe in terms of the level of optimism.
Stable and dynamic economic growth, sensible business decisions and wise management of public finance became strongly associated with our country. Poland is a trustworthy and reliable partner for international business and its exceptional business and investment opportunities attract investors from Western Europe as well as from other parts of the world, such as the US, Gulf and Asia.
According to the Economic Freedom Act of July 2, 2004, foreign persons from the EU may undertake and run business on the basis of the same rules applicable to polish entrepreneurs. As a general rule other foreign persons have the right, unless international agreements state otherwise, to undertake and run business activity only in the following forms: limited partnership, limited joint-stock partnership, limited liability company and joint-stock company.
Foreign persons have also the right to enter these kind of partnerships or companies and purchase their shares. Furthermore, foreign entrepreneurs may run business activity in the form of a branch office, and also set up representative offices in the territory of Poland.
What makes us so attractive is the combination of the efficiency of our capital-intensive production requiring highly-qualified personnel and the cost competitiveness of our physical labour. 
What is the Trade and Investment Office doing to encourage Emirati businesses to invest in Poland?
Trade and Investment Promotion Section in Abu Dhabi has been created to support Polish entrepreneurs in the UAE, promoting the Polish economy (especially export and investment) and coordinate the implementation of the tasks of economic diplomacy.
In addition, the department conducts promotional activities outside the UAE in the area of the Gulf states (Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait) and East Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda).
Activities include:
.Fairs and Exhibitions
.Economic missions
.Seminars
.Direct contacts
.Investments 
Final words...
Poland is one of the best-kept secrets in Europe; surprising especially when the country is one of the highest potential growth markets in this part of the world.
To learn more about business activities, investment opportunities and leisure activities in Poland, visit www.abudhabi.trade.gov.pl
- farhana@khaleejtimes.com