Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Janusz Piechociński believes that in the near future, exports should be the main driving force for the Polish economy. During a press conference in Tomaszów Mazowiecki, Mr Piechociński said that he expects further development of foreign trade with Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Turkey and Uzbekistan.

Mr Piechociński also said that among potential markets that Polish companies could step up trade with are the Baltic states, Brazil, Canada, India and Mexico. “Most of the projects the Ministry of Economy are working on this year are focused on those markets,” he said.

Polish firms have been slowly shifting their exports away from Western Europe in favor of markets in the CEE region and markets further to the east. Experts say this could be the result of the protracted European economic slowdown, as Polish companies try to take advantage of faster-growing economies outside of the euro zone.

Polish foodstuffs, especially, were a hit in 2012. In fast-growing markets such as Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen, Polish food has become very popular. One of the more important markets for exports outside the EU is Vietnam, a market where the value of Polish exports grew by 72 percent.

Marta Mardosz