Israel is today one of the world’s most highly developed countries. Its economy is based on the most modern high-technology sectors anywhere. Poland and Israel have both reached a development stage that offers excellent opportunities for effective economic cooperation. Poland is interested in increasing its exports to Israel, particularly of food items as well as in intensifying its collaboration in the application of Israeli know-how and expertise in the IT, telecommunications and electronic sectors. Generally known and held in high esteem are the achievements, among others, of Israeli companies producing, for example, biometric defence systems and military communication alarm systems. Israel’s economic success is to large extent due to the exemplary cooperation between universities, technological parks and businesses. We should make use of these solutions in Poland. We encourage Israeli capital to invest in technological parks in Poland.
Israeli companies have been present in Poland for more than a dozen years. According to Polish statistical data, the value of direct Israeli investments in Poland amounts to about 75 million USD. But the real involvement of Israeli capital in Poland is much greater. That is accounted for by the fact that Israeli capital is invested here through companies seated in third European countries or in the United States. Operating in Poland right now are more than 100 companies with the participation of Israeli capital, and with nearly 200 Israeli shareholders. The biggest Israeli investors on the Polish market include Asthrom, BST, IT International Theatres, Sorbit and Link 4. Other Israeli firms operating in Poland include the Yona Group, BST, Karen GAP, ECI Telecom-Tadi Pol, Tadrian, Café Strauss, Eden–Dar Natury and Multilock. Cinema City, GTC, Plaza Centres and Ronson are listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
Israeli investors have recently shown increased interest in Poland’s renewable energy sector. Talks are under way on generating electricity from wind power and even sea wave energy. Companies examining the possibility of installing individual solar heating systems are also looking at opportunities in Poland.
We are also interested in Israeli investments in Poland by companies operating in the bio-technological, pharmaceutical and food processing sectors.
The year 2008 is of special significance as it marks the 60th anniversary of founding the State of Israel. This year also marks the centenary of Tel Aviv and the 50th anniversary of the Israeli Exports Institute. It is therefore not without reason that Poland decided to be present in Israel on these occasions in a special character. 2008 is the Polish Year in Israel. We intend to be visible not only during the “Israel Prime Minister’s Conference” and the “Israel Gateway” exhibition. Economic cooperation is boosted by intensified business meetings and working contacts. Most of the major foreign investors from all countries to be reckoned with in the world economy have successfully entered the Polish market. I trust that also those Israeli companies which are considering such a move and will eventually come to Poland will in no time feel the benefits of doing business in Poland and with Poland.

As a result of consistent effort by the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency (PAIiIZ), more than 1.3 billion euros were invested in Poland last year (200 million Euros more than in 2006). In 2007, PAIiIZ completed 57 investment projects (14 more than one year earlier) and was involved in the implementation of 177 active projects (63 more than in 2006), that is projects still underway. Among the latter, the greatest (double) increase was registered in the R&D sector. .
In 2007, the largest amount of capital was invested in Poland by companies from the United States (387 million euros), Japan (280 million euros) and the United Kingdom (77 million euros). However, it is companies from the EU countries that have the largest share (88%) in the inflow of direct foreign investments to Poland. These proportions, however, may gradually change in favour of US and Asian companies. Last year, the largest number of investment projects was completed by investors from the USA (8), Japan (8), Germany (6), UK (6), China (5), India (4) and South Korea (3).