2013 was exceptional for the Polish economy in terms of export. In the first nine months of this year, export increased by 6.3% compared to the previous year and net export was the main growth factor of the Polish GDP. This year was also significant in the process of economization of the Polish foreign policy and the number of official visits of both the Prime Minister and the President of Poland.

During the conference „Foreign Expansion of Polish Companies 2014” organized by THINKTANK – the Centre for Dialogue and Analysis, the Ministry of Economy and the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Mr. Dariusz Bogdan, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Economy, and Katarzyna Kacperczyk, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented strategic directions of economic diplomacy in 2014 and announced closer cooperation between the ministries. Representatives of Polish companies conducting active international operations like Atlantic, Ursus, PESA, Nowy Styl Group as well as representatives of the partners of the Global Company program indicated the biggest challenges and opportunities for Polish companies in the context of international expansion from the point of view of the industries in which they operate. Representatives of the Nicolaus Copernicus University under the guidance of prof. Włodzimierz Karaszewski presented the research results of the investment activity of Polish companies abroad. The conference was an opportunity to summarize the activities and research findings conducted under the Global Company program.

Experts at THINKTANK – Centre for Dialogue and Analysis – and the Centre for International Relations believe that 2014 will be crucial from the point of view of the growth of the Polish export’s potential and Polish investments abroad. Polish companies that are already present on foreign markets should help each other and „pull” other companies from Poland with them. They should look for opportunities on new markets, where potential is born and, at the same time, they should concentrate on the quality of their products and services.