In 2018, China-Poland trade grew by 13.3% to reach US$33.47 billion. Poland’s exports to China reached US$2.5 billion, an increase of 8.7%, while China’s imports increased by 13.7% to US$30.97 billion, maintaining Poland’s status as Poland’s second largest source. Statistics from the Polish Statistical Office show that it is imported after Germany.
Poland is located in Central Europe and borders seven countries including Germany, Russia and the Czech Republic. It is known as the gateway to the EU market.
In 2015, Poland was one of the first countries to sign a memorandum of understanding on BRI with China. The Poland bolster trade with China has great potential, especially in the air, sea and land transportation, consultant and head Artur Gradziuk said. Economic Department of the Polish Embassy in China.
In the framework of “One Belt, One Road” and “16 + 1 Cooperation”, more business opportunities have emerged, and its geographical advantages have played a greater role in promoting Sino-European trade – China and the Central Government created a platform and Eastern European countries in April 2012. .
“As the Chinese government is strengthening its transportation and logistics cooperation with Europe, Poland is ready to provide more transportation, warehousing and logistics services,” Gradziuk said.
A positive result of BRI is that more CEIBS freight trains (also known as China Railway Express) have reached other European countries through Poland, which has significantly improved the efficiency of cross-border trade.
Poland’s two main ports, Gdansk and Gdynia, regularly carry large ships, accounting for 95% of the country’s seaborne cargo traffic, and can be transported to up to 21,000 standard containers in Asia, including Shanghai, Qingdao and Ningbo ports in China. Slawomir Berbec, director of the Pomorskie Voivodeship China office, said that there are Shenzhen every week.
Chinese computers, mobile phones, textiles, sports equipment and toys are exported to Poland and other European countries. Polish copper, machinery, electronics, cosmetics, furniture and agricultural products serve Chinese customers. Trade between China and Europe is supported by Poland’s network as a transportation hub.
He added that the country also hopes to increase exports of high-value Polish products such as machinery and electronics.
Last year, Poland passed a bill aimed at creating a better business environment, encouraging foreign investors to fund people who invest in certain places or areas, such as high technology, and creating a lot of new jobs. . According to the Embassy, these incentives include preferential policies for office leasing and tax cuts.
This may benefit Polish Chinese companies, which are increasing every year. More than 800 companies with Chinese capital operate in Poland, including safety and inspection solutions provider Nuctech Co Ltd, machinery manufacturer Guangxi Liugong Group, consumer electronics giant TCL, telecom giant Huawei, Bank of China and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Gradziuk Say.
According to Li Dongsheng, Chairman and CEO of TCL, TCL is one of the largest Chinese investors in Poland after the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Research Center in Poland last year. It plans to target the European market this year.
Nuctech opened a new factory in the capital of Warsaw in September 2018. Since entering the country in 2004, its products have served in civil aviation, customs, railways, highways, terminals and other public safety related fields in Europe. The company’s data shows that its large container inspection equipment accounts for about 90% of the European market.
“Although China’s investment in Poland is increasing every year, it is still a bit slow,” he said, adding that they are looking forward to welcoming more Chinese investors and strengthening cooperation in innovation, technology and environmental protection.
According to data from the National Bank of Poland, from the 1990s to the end of 2017, China’s foreign direct investment in Poland reached $500 million.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Poland. Liu Guangyuan, Chinese ambassador to Poland, said on May 16 that the strengthening of the partnership has made achievements.
