The scale of investments of Polish enterprises abroad exceeded PLN 105 billion. According to the joint report of PFR Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych SA (PFR TFI) and the global organization providing professional advisory services PwC, 60% of companies operating in foreign markets declare plans for further expansion.

“Over 60% of Polish investors are planning further expansion abroad. Our research shows that the more experience in foreign markets, the more business is open to the benefits of internationalization”, wrote PFR TFI and PwC experts.

Entrepreneurs were asked by the authors of the report about the greatest threat that could change their foreign expansion strategy. Disruptions in supply chains were indicated first (81.7% of responses), the pandemic was second (72.5%), and rising energy and fuel costs third (65.8%).

When asked about the “main trends” that may affect economic activity in the future, Polish enterprises mentioned the diversification of suppliers and securing supply chains (78.8%), sustainable activities (66.7%) and FDI screening procedures – (65.8%). “The digital and energy transformation were also mentioned as important trends” said experts.

This is the third report on Polish entrepreneurship. This year’s document focuses on foreign investments, taking into account the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The collected data show that after the initial decline, the rebound in foreign investments took place faster than after the crisis in 2008.

The top five places in the basic ranking of the most promising directions for Polish FDI (Foreign Direct Investments) include India, Finland, Estonia, Israel and Chile. In the opinion of the authors of the report, these are fast-growing markets that undertake many reforms in order to increase their business attractiveness to foreign investors.

In 2021, Polish FDI grew faster than before the pandemic. The balance of payments data shows that in the first three quarters of 2021, FDI from Poland was over 90% higher than the average results for the corresponding periods 2015-2019. The largest increase in absolute terms was recorded by foreign investment in Great Britain.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński order