Poland sells well

Last year Polish exports amounted to $73.8 (zł.250.9) billion, $20.2 (zł.68.6) billion higher than in 2003. Imports exceeded $88.2 (zł.299.9) billion, the Central Statistics Office (GUS) announced.

The trade figures Poland achieved in 2004 are striking considering the past 14 years of Poland's economic transformation. The growth in foreigntrade turnover on 2003 amounted to $40.4 (zł.137.2) billion, while the level of turnover in 2004 came to $162 (zł.559) billion and was five times higher than in 1992.

Poland's main trade partners in 2004 were European-Union countries. Their share in Polish exports reached 78 percent and accounted for 68 percent of Polish imports. Out of the other 24 countries in the EU, Poland increased exports to 18. Poland's trade deficit decreased by $2 (zł.6.7) billion as compared to 2003. The improvement was largely due to the increase in Poland's trade surplus with Great Britain by $900 million (zł.3 billion).

Exports to developing countries reached almost $4.3 (zł.14.5) billion in 2004, whereas imports from these countries exceeded $12.5 (zł.42.4) billion. As has been the case in previous years, significant turnover with China was recorded, especially when it came to imports.

Electrical and mechanical engineering products constitute the bulk of Polish exports, but imports of such products are also growing at a rapid pace.