US investors in the Polish Investment Agency’s portfolio

Supporting the inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) is one of PAIH’s main tasks. The total value of its investments increased from over PLN 6 billion in 2016 to almost PLN 13 billion in 2019. Out of the 260 projects supported by PAIH since 2016, as many as 70 came from the United States (i.e. 26%). One in four US investments related to high technology development activities. This is an important change, taking into account that the share of such projects among all those served by PAIH (known earlier as PAIiIZ) since 2000 was 10%.

The Americans are among the key investors we support. Poland focuses on the development of innovation, which is why we emphasize attracting projects that guarantee  the transfer of knowledge and high-quality jobs. The potential of Poland’s IT sector, is above all our highly qualified specialists, which has been noticed by many foreign investors with whom PAIH cooperates. Among them are many companies from the United States. One in four American investments that we helped implement was related to the development of high technology - emphasizes Grażyna Ciurzyńska, Acting President of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency.The latest Google investment is more proof of the trust that the IT giants have place in Poland and Polish specialists.

- We are pleased that another global player has chosen Poland as the location for their  important investment. Thanks to this, Poland has become on of the world's leading data processing centers - says Grażyna Ciurzyńska.

The COVID-19 epidemic in Europe and in the world has forced PAIH to introduce changes in the way  it serves investors. The agency has moved all its meetings to video conferencing platforms. It organizes some  virtual location visits, arranging meetings with local and central government officials, media managers and service providers for potential investors. There are also US investors who use this formula for their meetings.

This year, PAIH has supported seven American investments from industries such as: modern business services  (BSS), electronics and manufacturers of home appliances. One of these projects was with the Hyland Software company, which is recognized as one of the  leaders in its field. In over a dozen locations around the world (including London, Sao Paulo and Tokyo) they employ over 3.5 thousand employees. In Poland, the American company plans to create a research and development center, where a team of nearly 80 engineers will develop new products and services for the needs of the entire group. Our agency’s experts advised them in finding the best location for their investment.

It is also worth mentioning the investment of Mohawk, which specializes in the field of data processing. This investor decided to open an office in Krakow, where they plan to develop their research and development center by employing 30 employees, mainly programmers. Before making the final location decision, at the market recognition stage, PAIH provided the investor with support in obtaining the necessary legal and market information and helped to solve problematic formal issues related to employment.

Currently, PAIH is working on 30 projects with investors from the United States. As was the case at beginning of March this year.

- Poland is relatively good at dealing with the situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent forecasts show that despite the economic recession this year and the forecasted slowdown for 2021 and 2022, Poland will remain the leader of economic growth among the largest economies of the European Union. The COVID-19 crisis may affect the intensification of the phenomenon of reshoring, i.e. the return of production to countries close to the target markets. Due to the quite optimistic forecasts for only a slight decrease in Poland’s GDP this year and a relatively rapid rebound in 2021, interest in investing in Poland will increase, also among investors from overseas - says Grażyna Ciurzyńska.

About the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH)

The Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) is an advisory institution that is part of the Polish Development Fund Group (PFR). This is the first point of contact for exporters and investors. It operates both in Poland and through its Foreign Trade Offices (ZBH) around the world. It strengthens the recognition of Polish brands on international markets, promotes native products and services as well as technological solutions made in Poland. The agency helps Polish companies to choose the optimal expansion path for them abroad. It also supports the inflow of foreign direct investment to Poland and the implementation of Polish investment.