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The Treaty of Association between the Republic of Poland and the EU (European Treaty) created the formal foundations for developing economic, political, scientific and cultural ties between Poland and European Community as well as its member states. In 2001, after 8 years of part of the European Treaty’s trade section being in place, the 15 EU member states make up almost two thirds of Poland’s foreign trade. Together with the rise in the EU’s share in Poland’s imports, Polish exports to the EU grew equally significantly. In 1991, Poland made up 1.3% of EU imports and 1.9% of the EU’s exports. By 2001 Poland had become the ninth largest supplier of goods onto the EU market and the fourth largest recipient of the EU’s exports. The overwhelming majority of foreign capital invested in Poland comes from EU member states.
The Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). Following legislation on January 1st 2001 the free trade area between the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Rumania came into life. Decisions were introduced related to the liquidation of tariff and non-tariff trade barriers as well as agreement on the free flow of goods: public orders, state subsidies, protection of intellectual property, rules of competition, state monopolies etc.. The CEFTA agreement does not foresee a complete liquidation of barriers in the trade of agricultural products.
As a result of the GATT’s Uruguay Round Poland became a founding member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on July 1st 1995. In connection with this all the standard conditions for liberalisation in the framework of the round were introduced: reductions in customs duties on industrial products by 40%, and on agricultural-food products by an average of 36%. Since November 1996 Poland has been a formal member of the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The obligations accepted by Poland on joining the OECD and in the process of EU accession have had a positive influence on adapting domestic law to international law. With the aim of fulfilling international obligations in the area of liberalisation Poland has introduced a range of new laws, including in the area of foreign investment, capital flows and invisible transactions as well as starting up economic activity.
Poland’s foreign trade turnover grew from about $30 billion in 1991 to close to $86 billion in 2001, that is almost threefold. Despite achieving visible progress in the development of foreign trade in this period the current level of exports, measured both in relation to GDP and per head of population in Poland is still significantly lower than in other Central and Eastern European countries with a similar level of development, not to speak of the highly developed countries. Since 1996 the majority of Poland’s foreign trade turnover has been with partners from the EU
(in 2001 exports 69%, imports 61.3%).
Poland supports and promotes exports of goods and services offered by Polish enterprises via the following types of activity:
- Pledges and guarantees for pro-export enterprises
- Subsidised interest rates on export credits
- Insurance for export credits guaranteed by the Treasury Ministry
- Promotional activity by the Trade Departments of Polish Embassies and Consulates
- Financial support for foreign importers presenting at Polish fairs and for Polish exporters presenting at foreign fairs
- A system of awards from the Economy Ministry for special achievements in exports. |
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