Audio

Panel 4

Title: Select Poland

Topic: Promoting investment and trade in Poland


Moderator: Roman Młodkowski, Director and Head of News, TVN-CNBS

Panelists:

Teresa Kamińska, Chairman, Pomeranian Special Economic Zone
Michel Khalaf, President EMEA, Metlife Inc
Manuel Kohnstamm, Senior Vice President, UPC/Liberty Global
Gerald P. Leary, President EMEA, FedEx Express
Bożena Lublińska-Kasprzak, CEO, Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP)
Sławomir Majman, President of the Board, PAIiIZ
Jerzy Miller, Governor, Małopolska Provincial Office in Kraków
Marcin Piróg, President of the Board &CEO,PLL LOT S.A.



Key issues:
American companies have been important contributors to Poland?s free market economy and were among the first and strongest foreign direct investors in Poland. Since 1989, there has been a continuous increase in the scope of American investment in Poland, reaching over $20 billion. U.S. investors employ over 180,000 Poles and American investment in the wholesale, finance, chemicals, mining, IT, automotive and defense sectors help link Poland to global supply chains. Yet, U.S.- Poland bilateral trade amounted to only $8.5 billion. Clearly there is potential for increasing U.S.-Poland bilateral investment and therefore increasing trade remains. But is Poland doing enough to promote itself? Are Polish government programs, investment missions, trade fairs, and diplomatic posts sufficiently effective in promoting Poland and providing aid to companies seeking partners and international assistance?