Marek Ociepka, Minister at the Trade and Economy Department at the Polish Embassy to the Russian Federation, is very enthusiastic about the presence of Polish companies in the East. "There are great chances for investors from Poland. The growing demand, purchase power and an unlimited market prove that whatever we produce can be sold in Russia," he says.
Macroeconomic conditions are favorable in Russia. Their foreign exchange reserves exceed $150 (zł.321) billion while Russia's balance of trade in 2005 will reach $100 (zł.482) billion. "Production costs are much lower in Russia than in Poland. The so called social tax, fees, the costs of energy and transport, land tenancy, registration fees and taxes only favor investors," says Ociepka.
Not everything is as easy as it seems. Russia is still a difficult market. Lech Grabielczak, director of the export department of Atlas, says that bureaucracy and frequently amended regulations are a big problem.
Despite the initial hardships, the success of many Polish companies which have their plants in Russia proves what the Polish Embassy claims is true. Bella, Atlas, and Bioton are not the only examples. Forte, a furniture producer, has just opened a new factory in Vladimir. "Russia is a strategic market for us. We have sold our products for many years there but now we can talk about our expansion," says Maciej Formanowicz, president of Forte.
According to the Federal State Statistics Service the level of Polish investments on the Russian market within the first six months of 2005 amounted to $111.3 (zł.357) million.
Andrzej Wróbel
The Russians are inviting Polish exporters to invest, modernize old factories and move their assembly lines to their country.
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