International organization participation:
ACCT (observer), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS,
BSEC (observer), CBSS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC,
NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW,
OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMEE,
UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Janusz REITER chancery: 2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-3800 through 3802 FAX: [1] (202) 328-6271 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Victor ASHE embassy: Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31 00-540 Warsaw mailing address: American Embassy Warsaw, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5010 (pouch) telephone: [48] (22) 504-2000 FAX: [48] (22) 504-2688 consulate(s) general: Krakow
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar to the
flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white
Economy Poland
Economy - overview:
Poland has steadfastly pursued a policy of economic liberalization
throughout the 1990s and today stands out as a success story among
transition economies. Even so, much remains to be done, especially
in bringing down the unemployment rate - currently the highest in
the EU. The privatization of small- and medium-sized state-owned
companies and a liberal law on establishing new firms has encouraged
the development of the private business sector, but legal and
bureaucratic obstacles alongside persistent corruption are hampering
its further development. Poland's agricultural sector remains
handicapped by surplus labor, inefficient small farms, and lack of
investment. Restructuring and privatization of "sensitive sectors"
(e.g., coal, steel, railroads, and energy), while recently
initiated, have stalled. Reforms in health care, education, the
pension system, and state administration have resulted in
larger-than-expected fiscal pressures. Further progress in public
finance depends mainly on reducing losses in Polish state
enterprises, restraining entitlements, and overhauling the tax code
to incorporate the growing gray economy and farmers, most of whom
pay no tax. The previous Socialist-led government introduced a
package of social and administrative spending cuts to reduce public
spending by about $17 billion through 2007, but full implementation
of the plan was trumped by election-year politics in 2005. The
right-wing Law and Justice party won parliamentary elections in
September, and Lech KACZYNSKI won the presidential election in
October 2005, running on a state-interventionist fiscal and monetary
platform. Poland joined the EU in May 2004, and surging exports to
the EU contributed to Poland's strong growth in 2004, though its
competitiveness could be threatened by the zloty's appreciation. GDP
per capita roughly equals that of the three Baltic states. Poland
stands to benefit from nearly $23.2 billion in EU funds, available
through 2006. Farmers have already begun to reap the rewards of
membership via booming exports, higher food prices, and EU
agricultural subsidies.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$505.2 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$246.2 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.4% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$13,100 (2005 est.)