PUBLISHER'S NOTE

I feel terribly sorry for all the people suffering unnecessarily at this time.

Having lived in Poland for over 20 years, I have experienced many things — from when it was the wild, wild east to a nation maturing and getting a bit obnoxious. But what I am currently experiencing in these sad and tragic days is a huge mass of Poles who stand together with Ukraine and want to help, support and welcome our neighbors from the east. It is a very moving and amazing observation, that confirms my belief: Poles are good-hearted and smart people.

But we are still at the starting line of a sprint. What if it metamorphoses into a marathon? Is there enough power and energy to continue the openness and support? Like most other commentators and experts, I simply don’t know what tomorrow will bring.

Positively overwhelming are also the united and speedy actions and solidarity that the western leaders, states and institutions have shown with the intention to combat unprovoked invasion and war with strong sanctions and isolation.

It’s only been two months since the start of the year, and what a year it has been already! Stress and nervous atmosphere. Key factors: Covid (mainly Omicron), inflation, interest rate hikes, and now a war in Europe. How will this end?

As concluded earlier, we don’t know what tomorrow will exactly bring but we do know that there is a will and a historically-proven survival instinct in Poland: in Polish people and businesses. A will to move forward.

My team and I have prepared for you in this issue of the WBJ stories and interviews and gathered information about trends, insights and present status of things that today and tomorrow will be influencing Poland as its business and economy move forward. Of course, current uncertainty still blurs our vision, but we have done our best to give you insights about Poland at the time of writing this note.

Let’s stay united and strong and hope for peace in Ukraine (and beyond) and a quick recovery.

MORTEN LINDHOLM