Strong economy and Poland’s firm foundations for further economic development ensure that ensure successful economic performance of new investments in Poland. In the years 1996 – 2009 the country’s GDP hovered at 4.5%. Among the factors which did influence the economic situation of the country were also foreign direct investments. The National Bank of Poland (NBP) estimates that in 2009 Poland attracted nearly EUR10 billion.

Moreover, the country has been hosting a constantly growing number of private enterprises. Now service, education and IT centres are often set up by young entrepreneurs competent to make effective use of UE funds and eager to apply innovative solutions. In turn, Polish popular brands and companies with an established position are ever more successful in venturing into multinational co-operation projects and investing in effective expansion of their own goods’ export.

In the EU 2007-2013 financial framework Poland may benefit from a substantial financial support. Out of the overall EUR307.6 bn allocated by the EU to pursue the goals indicated in the European cohesion policy, Poland is bound to receive EUR80 bn (EUR67.5 bn from structural funds). The funds will help develop the economy in two ways. On the one hand, the subsidies will be used to improve the existing business environment i.e. transport and IT infrastructure as well as environment protection strategies. On the other hand, the funds will be directed to small and medium-sized enterprises in order to boost both development and practical implementation of modern technologies.
Undoubtedly, the European Football Championships to be organized by Poland and Ukraine in 2012 are among the major stimulating factors, especially for the construction, service and tourism sectors.

The favourable picture of the Polish economy is also influenced by inflation, or rather the fact that it is kept under control. A low rate of inflation has been noticeable since the early 1990s. Another result of the positive economic changes is the falling level of unemployment, which does not alter the fact that Poland still has large reserves of well-qualified workers.

At the end of February 2007 the rate of unemployment in Poland was 14.9%. The highest levels of unemployment are in the regions of: Warmińsko-Mazury (23.8%), Zachodniopomorze (21.8%) and Kujawy-Pomorze (19.4%). The lowest unemployment rates characterise the voivodships of: Małopolska (11.5%), Wielkopolska (11.8%), Mazowsze (11.9%) and ¦l±sk (12.7 %).