Polish foreign trade dwindling, manufactured goods find markets next door

Most analysts attribute the situation to the diminishing levels of trade with CIS countries that were still experiencing the effects of the Russian crisis. It is paradoxical, however, that other central European countries such as the Czech Republic and Hungary, saw their exports rise in the same period despite engaging in substantial trade with Russia. In exports to its neighbors, Poland is beginning to show considerable diversification from the traditional food and textile products to manufactured goods that include refrigerators and household electronics. Washing machine manufacturer Polar and vacuum cleaner producer Zelmer have acquired substantial segments of the Czech and Slovak markets. (Rzeczpospolita, page B2)