What can you tell our readers about Polish-British economic relations in 2010?
The important thing to remember about Polish – British economic relations is that they have a lot of substance in terms of volume of trade and its importance to both sides. In 2009 the total amount of our bilateral trade was £ 7 billion; £ 4.3 billion was Polish exports to Britain and nearly £ 3 billion was British exports to Poland. Britain is the fourth biggest Polish export market and for us Poland is in our top 20 markets. In Britain we often talk about emerging economies like Brazil, South Africa, Russia, India but it is important to remember that Britain exports more to Poland than to Brazil or Turkey. Therefore our bilateral trade is significant for both of us.
What are your forecasts for 2011?
We are obviously hoping that trade will increase and there are two main reasons why I am hopeful of that. The first is that Poland is set to grow in 2011, as is the British economy. Both countries are very open economies with big potential. Second, the economic situation in Britain is encouraging more firms and institutions to participate in international trade. In addition, more British companies are seeing Poland as a place where they can actually do business.
In 2011 Poland will hold the Presidency of the European Union, what are the biggest opportunities and challenges which this fact can yield for Poland?
The Presidency of the European Union is difficult and complicated and Poland is about to do it for the first time. Every Presidency involves three things. The first is to take forward the agenda which is inherited; the business of the European Union. The second concerns things which the Presidency itself would like to emphasize and the third is dealing with events. Therefore, Poland needs both to be ready for unexpected issues and to remember that the Presidency’s ability to direct the EU is pretty limited. There is an agreed agenda which is being taken forward. Moreover, the role of the Presidency is to help achieve consensus rather than to direct the EU in any particular way. I am confident that Poland, which is putting a lot of effort into preparing this event, will run an effective Presidency. One significant issue which Poland will be responsible for during the Presidency is preparing the EU for the next climate change summit in South Africa.
What are the obstacles and encouragements for investors thinking about Poland as a place for investment?
Poland has done very well over the past twenty years in terms of attracting investment. The reasons why people want to invest their money in Poland are clear. The most crucial are its favorable geographic position, membership of the European Union and relatively low cost of skilled labour. All this taken together along with economic growth make Poland an attractive place for investment. According to British investors I have talked to, Poland is not an easy market because it is a competitive market. But the biggest problem is that it takes far too long to get administrative and bureaucratic things done. It can be much simpler elsewhere! Poland needs to improve the way of facilitating business and deal with issues which concern investors and business – Polish as well as foreign.
Did you notice any development of the Polish economy after accession to the European Union?
First, joining the EU did not lead to the collapse of Polish industry as some people expected, rather Poland thrived and it led to an increase in willingness to invest in Poland and in trade. Poland is now for example more integrated with the whole European manufacturing and service sector. Another big advantage of EU accession is that the UK and Sweden immediately opened their labour markets to Polish citizens. We did not want to put up barriers for new members. I am sure that this decision was beneficial for both Poland and Britain.
What do you think about the level of Polish infrastructure in terms of our preparations for EURO 2012?
Infrastructure is something which was neglected in Poland for many years and, as in other communist countries, capital was often invested in the wrong place or in the wrong things or of low quality – and often all three. Clearly, a lot of investments have been made in infrastructure but in some ways the growth in Polish economy goes faster than the growth in infrastructure; there are more, better roads but there are even more cars. I am sure that EURO 2012 will be a success for two reasons. First, people who come for football matches are quite tolerant, flexible and open-minded and they will cope with some small inconveniences and enjoy the experience and the football. Second, Poland is determined to do well; I am sure that everything needed to make Euro 2012 a success will be done. Undoubtedly, it is a great chance to show Poland to a wide audience. When The Prince Of Wales came to Poland last year he went to Białowieża, not least because I wanted to present to him, the British people and the wider world one not-well-known example of how Poland is a very interesting and unusual place.
In your opinion, what are the most valuable features of Polish people and Poland?
The first thing I like is that Polish people are interested in their history and they love talking about it. For me as a History student it is a wonderful situation. I love the variety of landscapes and buildings and the contrasts for example between Gdansk and Cracow. All across Poland I meet interesting people. I like that Poles are open to the wider world although they are in many ways very interested in themselves and their country. What I do not appreciate is that many Polish dog owners think that streets are toilets for their dogs. Second, I dislike that some people who are powerful or rich think that the law does not apply to them, e.g. how they drive or park their cars. But this is not purely a Polish feature; it can be noticed across the whole of Central Europe as a legacy of communism.
