Poland shifts economic strategy: From state aid to private sector partnership for global growth

Rzeczpospolita highlights a significant paradigm shift in Poland's economic diplomacy, moving from passive state assistance to proactive partnership with ambitious private enterprises.

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PAIH zajmuje się głównie, tak samo jak cała grupa PFR, prywatnym biznesem. My nie wspieramy państwowego biznesu i warto, żebyśmy to podkreślali.

Marcin Graczyk of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) articulates a new vision: the agency will function more like a venture fund, nurturing businesses poised for international growth. The 'Team Poland' initiative is central to this strategy, designed to uncover and cultivate companies with untapped export potential, guiding them onto the global stage. This focus on private business is a deliberate departure, aiming to build a robust Polish economic brand through the success of its own entrepreneurs.

This evolution is crucial, especially considering past difficulties in promoting the Polish economy internationally. Graczyk recalls the struggle to garner support for a campaign showcasing Polish businesses abroad, a stark contrast to the current efforts. The recent success of PESA acquiring a German tram manufacturer and a high-profile trade mission to Saudi Arabia signal a more assertive approach.

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To nie będzie za pięć lat. To jest kwestia miesięcy, a nie lat. Te prace są na ukoczeniu.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Development and Technology signals imminent industrial policy reforms, a move long overdue. The planned integration of PAIH's foreign trade offices with embassies aims to streamline support, particularly in markets where government backing is essential. As former Ambassador Jakub Sławek notes, economic diplomacy requires adequate funding, drawing parallels with France's strategic success in the Persian Gulf. Poland's economic future hinges on sustained, well-resourced engagement, moving beyond the notion that effective international business development can be achieved cheaply.

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Ale, na litość boską, nie da rady tanio.