Q: How do you assess the present state of Polish-Belgian relations?
A: They are improving all the time. In the early stage of Polish capitalism, economic contacts between the two countries were rather limited because Belgians are rather very cautious and pragmatic. But once our investors became confident in the Polish economy, Belgian capital began flowing into Poland. The first to come were big companies, especially from the banking and building sectors. They found out for themselves that Poland is a stable country, that the economy is developing and that normal market economy mechanisms are in force. That encouraged others to follow suit. The turning point came in 2000 and Poland’s entry into the European Union in 2004 strengthened Belgium’s interest in developing economic cooperation with this country.
It should be noted, however, that the number of big international corporations operating in Belgium is declining and that explains why other sectors are not represented in Poland. For example, no Belgian giants operate in the Fast Moving Consumers Goods Sector (FMCG) and Globi, which was present on the Polish market for several years, sold its supermarket chain recently to investors from other countries.
Even my own company, the staffing service provider Creyf’s of Belgium, was acquired two years ago by the Dutch company of Start People and is expanding its operations on the Polish market under that logo.
Q: What is the present level of trade between Belgium and Poland?
A: Belgium along with Luxembourg is currently the fourth largest investor in Poland. Developing dynamically are two large banks — Fortis and KBC Warta. Both have very ambitious plans to expand on the Polish market. The same applies to Besix, Ghelamco and Democo building companies as well as to the UCB Pharma and Solvay pharmaceutical firms.
Q: What do you think have been measurable effects of the Belgian Days in Poland which your Chamber organised late last year?
A: Barely two months have passed since the Days were held and it’s too early to assess the results in measurable terms. It is significant that Belgian Days received wide coverage in the Polish press. They were also reported in the Belgian press which in itself was a big success. We have surely aroused interest among further Belgian investors. That holds true especially of small companies which have had no knowledge of Poland yet. Thanks to the Belgian Days they discovered that Poland is worth becoming interested in. Currently, it is not easy in Belgium to develop business and to find profitable new niches in a competitive world. This is still possible in Poland. Our Chamber receives a growing number of inquiries on issues such as the Polish labour market, as well as formalities needed to set up a company in Poland. That is a reflection of the growing interest, particularly on the part of small and medium-sized companies to go into business in Poland.
I think, however, that some effort is also needed on the Polish side to help Belgian companies start operating in this country. What I have in mind is that some administration procedures should be streamlined. Better information is also needed. I wonder, for instance, why information on government websites is given only in Polish…
Q: What are your plans for 2008?
A: We are stepping up our activities to promote Belgian trade with other countries. That covers also Poland. We are also mapping out a programme of the next Belgian Days in Poland. Apart from Warsaw, these will be arranged in Kraków and Łódź and additional events connected with the Days will also be held in Poznań and Gdańsk.

Interviewer: Henryka Kopacz