As incoming Chairman of the Ireland Poland business association (IPBA) I am delighted to welcome you to the Associations’ website.

In recent years trade between Ireland and Poland has enjoyed spectacular growth with high profile Irish companies taking advantage of the many profitable business opportunities that have arisen since Poland joined the European Union in 2004. This trend looks set to continue as Poland is due to benefit from EU funding of €67 billion it has been allocated up to 2013.

Poland`s economy grew by 6.8% in 2007 and 5% in 2008 leading to impressive levels of foreign direct investment, falling unemployment and low inflation.  Growth slowed to 2% in 2009 however, this was very impressive given economic challenges globally.  Poland ranked 5th in Europe and 1st in the CEE Region in terms of new foreign investment in 2008 (Ernst & Young) and Ireland holds 14th place on the list of the biggest foreign investors in Poland (€2.2bn) and is the number 1 location for Irish investment in CEE Countries. 

Last year the Association completed a review of it`s services which resulted in enhanced information resources for members. First time exporters and those currently trading in Poland can now access the “information vault” section of this website which holds in excess of one hundred documents including “how to” guides, investment opportunities, market research studies, tax and regulatory alerts, property reports and other detailed information.

An important aim of the Association for the coming year is to greatly increase interaction among members with more frequent networking events in both Ireland and Poland.

In May of last year, together with the Trade and Promotion Investment Section of the Polish Embassy, we presented our National Conference “Polish Regions – Discover new places for doing business and recreation”. The conference featured presentations by the Ministry of Regional Development in Poland; Polish National Tourism Office; West Pomerania & Lower Silesia Regions; Suwalki & Legnicka Special Economic Zones; Enterprise Ireland, PM Group and AIB.  In November, we presented a breakfast seminar “The Polish Construction Industry – A guide for Irish Construction firms to work in Poland” to members of the Construction Industry Federation. In 2010, we will continue to work in association with other relevant business organisations and explore the investment opportunities in other growth industries in Poland, e.g Energy, IT, Healthcare.

There has never been a more positive time for Ireland Poland trade and the Association is uniquely positioned to facilitate members seeking to develop business in Poland.

I look forward to meeting you at one of our networking events and meanwhile wish you a successful 2010.

Eamonn Crowley

Chairman of The Ireland Poland Business Association