Investment

A SUPPLEMENT TO EUROMONEY

Introduction

Forty million consumers make Poland a very attractive market for foreign investors. Its central location also makes it an ideal manufacturing location for companies wishing to export to surrounding countries. The decision to invest in Poland is often reinforced by Poland's strong economic results, political stability, efficient banking system, OECD membership, World Trade Organisation membership, associate European Union membership and improving communications infrastructure.

Poland has witnessed an enormous growth in the fast moving consumer goods sector in the past five years. Investors are now moving into other industry sectors, where Poland has excellent facilities and experience and offers unparalleled opportunities for investment. In this short chapter we seek to highlight some of the investment opportunities available in a cross-section of industries, specifically those which are not concerned with marketing directly to the end user.

The automobile industry

The automobile industry is often viewed as a barometer of the economy in developed countries and the Polish automotive sector has mirrored the swift and decisive changes in the Polish economy. In seven years, the sector has moved from the rationing of a state controlled monopoly, through the 1991-1993 rejection of domestically produced consumer goods, to its current period of dynamic growth of 20%.