Uncertain future

According to Eurochambres' Economic Survey 2006, business confidence is the only sentiment indicator which scores higher for Poland this year in comparison to last year.

The survey shows companies' expectations for total turnover from domestic and export sales are not quite as high as they were for 2005. In general, sentiment in Polish firms scores far below other EU states, especially new members such as Latvia, Lithuania or Slovenia.

Polish entrepreneurs take an especially dour attitude towards the employment situation in the country, and are less optimistic than last year. Firms believe the coming year will not bring any major changes in the labor market, and that unemployment will remain a permanent structural problem. The survey's authors note that despite Poland's positive macroeconomic results over the last two years, the unemployment rate remains excessively high. They predict a decrease in employment next year.

Companies are also less optimistic than they were last year about Poland's investment prospects, which according to the report, shows uncertainty among Polish entrepreneurs about the future of business conditions in the country.