The impact of American companies on Poland’s economic development

During the debate at the 33rd Economic Forum in Karpacz, experts emphasised that the significance of US companies extends well beyond macroeconomic factors. Last year, trade between Poland and the US reached USD 28 billion, while over the past four years, American companies have invested nearly USD 9 billion in Poland, positioning themselves alongside German firms as one of the two most important foreign investor groups. New investments are primarily concentrated in the business services, logistics, and IT sectors, with profits reinvested to support the expansion of shared service centres and other growth areas.

Between 2010 and 2021, American investment in Poland grew at half the rate of total foreign investment, according to a report by the Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) and the American Chamber of Commerce in Poland (AmCham). Investments from US companies now represent over 4% of Poland’s GDP.

Extensive impact

During the debate titled the ‘Impact of American Companies on Poland’s Economic Development’, experts highlighted that the presence of US companies in Poland holds broader significance beyond purely economic factors. The discussion featured notable participants, including Tomasz Rogacz, Managing Director of McDonald's Poland; Aleksander Siemaszko, Director of the Department of Trade and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Development and Technology; MP Ryszard Petru; and Marta Życińska, CEO of Mastercard Poland.

Aleksander Siemaszko highlighted the United States as a crucial partner, noting that US investments in Poland are distinguished by their high added value. He pointed out that Poland is transitioning from being a hub for labour-intensive investments to one focused on capital-intensive ventures. The growing interest from companies in the service and technology sectors reflects this transformation in the Polish economy.

– It is no longer about basic processing or investments suited to a high-unemployment environment; now, Poland is viewed as an essential part of the value chain for many American companies, Siemaszko stated.

He cautioned, however, that the future remains uncertain due to negative external factors impacting the Euro-Atlantic region. – The erosion of traditional forms of cooperation and international institutions is pushing Poland and the US to strengthen their collaboration, added the representative from the Ministry of Development and Technology.

Importance of added value

Tomasz Rogacz stressed the importance of bringing added value to the local communities in which US companies operate.

– We take pride in the fact that McDonald's consistently adds value through its collaboration with contractors and its commitment to employee well-being. We maintain high labour and quality standards that all our suppliers must adhere to. Additionally, we adopt a long-term approach with our franchisees, typically signing contracts for 20 years with the option to extend, said Tomasz Rogacz.

He also emphasised that the influence of US companies extends far beyond direct operations, contributing to the growth of local businesses, enhancing workers' skills, and creating new, stable jobs.

As Ryszard Petru noted, however, there are barriers to keeping Poland’s economy competitive.

– We are losing our competitive edge rooted in low labour costs as wages continue to rise. To preserve competitiveness and shift it to other foundations, it is essential to establish stable, transparent legal frameworks and enhance the efficiency of the economic judiciary. We should position ourselves as a hub for advanced technologies, Petru said, emphasizing that this is especially critical for military purposes.

– We should focus on cyber-security, IT, but also solutions to simplify doing business, the MP said.

Clear regulations needed

Reflecting on how businesses are treated in Poland, Tomasz Rogacz pointed out that Polish laws lend themselves to multiple interpretations, making it challenging to do business on a national scale.

Alexander Siemaszko highlighted the government’s initiatives to enhance the quality of legislation, including a more serious approach to public consultations and ongoing efforts in deregulation.

– Raising the minimum wage may jeopardise competitive advantages, but it simultaneously boosts private consumption, thereby enhancing Poland's attractiveness for investment, Siemaszko noted.

Positive effects of collaboration

Marta Życińska referenced the Future Finance Poland initiative, in which Mastercard plays a role. The initiative aims to position Warsaw as a modern financial hub that is expected to attract increased investment, particularly in the technology sector.

The collaboration between Polish and American companies presents opportunities for growth across both modern and traditional industries. A notable example is McDonald’s, which partners with local suppliers like Green Factory and Farm Frites Poland SA.

Both companies began as small businesses, but through their partnership with McDonald's, they have expanded their operations beyond Poland. Today, they export Polish fries to 17 markets and vegetables to seven.

– I have always said that our growth in Poland has been possible precisely because we have such fantastic suppliers and high-quality domestic producers, emphasised Tomasz Rogacz.

A number of studies show that working with a multinational corporation is the first step for domestic firms to expand abroad.

Aleksander Siemaszko highlighted the crucial role that US companies play in advancing Poland's technological development, advocating for deeper engagement in both the business sector and collaboration with universities and social partners. He noted that the growing presence of high-tech investments sparks greater interest among young people in technical studies and scientific careers, thereby boosting Poland’s competitiveness.

The representative of the Ministry of Development and Technology also emphasised that American capital, along with modern technologies and management practices, plays a crucial role in driving the country’s development.