News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

A weak currency should in theory boost investment as it makes things cheaper for foreigners but people need to know where they stand before they will commit. If they want to cut the leg off, better to do it soon rather than debate and do it years later. Not much official talk from government but you'd expect it towards eur 4.50 as it will start to hurt a lot by then.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

Most average Joes will always blame the current government for their woes so its likely PIS only gets one term, certainly while its one person one vote. Maybe 12-18 months before the end of their term you'll get some large speculative flows into the country/currency. While the stockmarket has largely priced in a lot of the woes on an isolated basis, the zloty might see 6.5gbp 4.5-4.75 eur before its fortunes turn. But as I say if the government does away with the uncertainty and quickly implements its anti business ideas, investment flows will recover quicker.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

Probably both sides as bad as each other but PO always intended to keep up relations with Europe. EU money and investment is vital for Poland to growth and eventually dig itself out of pensions blackhole. Otherwise debt to GDP is ok, but still needs help to expand and remove the pensions threat. Poles dont have/dont want to invest, so money must come from abroad. Say thanks a few times, kiss a few ears, but you'll get the funds flows and that's what is important in the long run. Backing away from the EU must mean stronger ties with Russia as Poland cannot go it alone. Better the EU as more predictable.

USA, Canada / Polish women are not to be trusted! They are out to get American men just for money. [62]

I call it "polepszyc swoje stanowisko" In english, improving their station. My wife laughs but admits its mostly true these days especially in the smaller towns such as Jelenia Gora. I suppose if a guy wants a girl with nice tits, similarly the girl looks for a guy that can finance her needs. Don't see anything wrong with it as long as both sides understand the situation, but often one side finds out to their cost.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

Most rational people will be prepared to give every new government a chance but PIS have to try to build relations with europe. Whatever PO did or did not do, they tried to stay on side with europe. EU money is vital for Poland's growth. Poland is very good at acquiring and spending EU money and without it growth will be much slower if at all. So there is no reason to isolate europe and make Poland unfriendly to investors as it can only harm the country's development.

Life / Living like a local in Poland - What does it even mean? [30]

You have to watch the sugar/fat/salt contents at the cheaper shops such as biedronka (especially kids drinks), but to be honest now that lidl aldi and co have moved in biedronka isnt as cheap as what it once was. The meat is much better than it used to be as there are no longer local butchers but its sourced wholesale.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

Poland needs external investment to reach its goals of growth and expansion of wealth for Poles as a whole. Some will be left behind but the alternative where everyone has and is equal, is communism and that only works when the world doesnt keep tabs on the treasury's bottom line - something that was possible in the 70's/80's but not in this age.

With the EU you know where you stand. You toe the line, you get the cash - EU does as it says it will. There has been a huge increase in foreign ownership of Polish goverment bonds. This is a sign of trust in the approach Poland has taken over the last few years. Causing arguments and backing away from the EU will see this investment reverse and neither Russia nor China will pick up the tab as they have problems of their own and of course have a less ethical approach to foreign investment.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

Many developed countries have problems getting fair taxes from global giants. Its a compromise and something thats done over time. But while companies are making money in Poland they wont want to leave and thats the key to negotiations. Capitalism isnt perfect but its better than other realistic options. Poland has a huge pension deficit and and Poles little savings, so huge internal investment is impossible.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

People were queuing for fresh fruit all day. The country has come a long way very quickly. You have to expect bumps along the way. Being poor with no future and staying poor with no future is now more of an option than before. Still a long way off Wedtern developed standards but that is to be expected for a story of expansion that really only started since the fall of communism. Just have to be careful not to isolate those that pull the strings. Poland is very good at working the EU system, it should continue to do so and do what is asked (usually within reason) or they will turn off the taps as they did for Greece.

Real Estate / Building a house in Poland need advice from anyone that has built [100]

Yes a lot of the time when Poles hear "foreigner" then they double the price. They will then ring back and reduce it when you tell them you are hiring the competition. Most of these small builders live from one job to the next, so you can always negotiate a good price. Just dont pay in advance unless relationships are long and well cemented. Oh and watch for alcohol on the building site, its the most important element!

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]


Ultimately the guy at the top is responsible for the companys bottom line. If profits are increased, he deserves an increase. If we are talking even just ten of millions increases, you have to reward him with a substantial increase or he will leave and work for the competition. Then you have the double whammy of having to choose a new CEO who is an unknown quantity (he may have sector experience but youve just seen your highly successful CEO leave, so relatively speaking its unknown) while your previous CEO who you didnt want to reward has gone to the competition and is likely to improve them which will eat into your profits next year.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

Doesnt matter what the other 2 agencies as Polish bonds will get clobbered next week. It was sort of known earlier in the week but until confirmed bonds were ok given global stockmarkets were off. Long hungarian short polish is probably a good idea for the year as Hungary has already does it PIS with Orban while Poland is yet to enjoy the "fruits" of the new government ;)

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

The downside of the ratings cut is that the government bonds will go down and that means the yield they pay investors on money lent to them goes up. PIS is wanting to spend money left right and centre and has already said the budget will be squeezed. Todays news will see more money go from the budget to pay the higher yields on the bonds. About 40% of government bonds are foreign owned so there is likely to be a big move next week as not everyone will have acted on the rumours.

A weaker zloty makes good news for exporters bad for importers thats clear, but it will mean no more falls in price of petrol as thats price in dollars and when oil rebounds then petrol prices will rise faster if zloty stays where it is or weakens further.

But the good news is the EU donations Poland gets are sent in euros so they will be worth more!

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]


Nonsense. No one is more in the hands of bankers than the Americans. They have taken trillions off the state and control every industry as those who hold the debt control the outcome.

The world is as it is, if you have no money you need someone to back you. If your idea is not deemed commercially viable then you are stuck. Idealism is nice but money makes the world go around.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

The Polish saying "jak ktos cos daje to trzeba brac" makes sense here. While EU money is avaliable it should be taken with open arms. The EU provides many grants for Poland to help the unemployed and young businesses, but this money is often squandered by those people as its not an area oroperly policed by the relevant authorities. Money is also on offer to redevelopment underpriveleged regions and countryside. This has to be used effectively but unforunately a portion of this is funneled off into pockets of people with hands on the money.

UK, Ireland / Britain's moral collapse? [99]

If you replace the words Poland Poles etc in Crows comment for Islam it would very much make you sound like an ISIS fanatic.

UK, Ireland / Britain's moral collapse? [99]

The UK is diseased by too much political correctness. The everyone is a winner mentality. You tried your best but failed, but its ok, here is a prize anyway. Most people are afraid to do or say anything that might appear out of line as their jobs depend on it. Social media and kyboard warriors have only made the problem worse. So I dont think the UK is able to stop the tide even though most know we crossed the line.

UK, Ireland / Britain's moral collapse? [99]


Dont know where you have been looking but there are probably more Polish multicultural relationships in the UK than the whole of Poland.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

The economy is going to do worse over the next couple of years. No fault of the current or past government if one is brutally honest. But moderate governments can add or shave about 1% on GDP. Now isnt the time to chase investors away as there are enough capital outflows to deal with.

Law / Where can I check in Poland my company formation status and tax number NIP and REGON? [95]

for a start, you can try the online directory as long as you have some basic information
prod.ceidg.gov.pl/ceidg.cms.engine/

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]


Productivity is improving from very low levels from when manufacturing was state controlled and not commercially viable. In general, the new generation of Poles abroad are out for what they can get, thinking only of today not tomorrow. Workshy and cannot be trusted so need constant monitoring. Its probably not too different to the attitude of other young people but thats how it is.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

We never directly employed anyone, using specialists to do the jobs we needed doing, but we did do our own site checks and a number of times it ended up with someone being drunk on the job and there were sometimes problems with building materials going missing. Contracts must always be in place but often the other side is flabbergasted when they are caught out and even more so when threatened with or taken to court. I try to explain to them if they cheat someone today, that person will no longer take them on in the future. But they tend to only worry about today, tomorrow is another day and they will worry about that tomorrow.

These are experiences from smaller towns of up to 100,000 inhabitants. Such problems arent as prevalent in large cities. We are working in slightly different field but there tends to be more professionalism and less short term thinking.

Real Estate / Cost to build in Eastern Poland - Ideally per m2 [71]

1 Good timekeeping
2 Completion to stated standard for stated price
3 Teetotal on the job

Anyone that can start tomorrow will have only one of the above. Anyone that can start in a week will only have two of the above. If you want someone with all three qualities then you have to expect them to be in demand and have workbook 2 or 3 months.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]


Utter madness. Again. In almost every poll taken since then Poles are 80% or more for staying in the EU. Not to mention those working abroad and also those in the grey zone working illegally in Germany and other EU nations. Often these people work for 5 or more years then come back and open a business here. Without EU membership and open borders, this would be impossible. Not always, but largely those left behind have chosen to be left behind.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

Polls do matter as they often cause the government to rein in policies, but in this case I dont think polls will have too much effect. They have a plan and are prepared to fall on their sword if necessary. They will have their 4 years, but on the current path its likely to be a last term for a long time. History shows this, so there isnt a great need to do anything as nothing really can be done. As long as the country is able to vote in 4 years, the outcome is clear from a historical perspective.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

Dont forget Kaczynski and PIS have had to sit 8 years on the sidelines watching. They have had time to plan their actions, play them out, see the consequences and change them. So as I say, as long as there is a vote. Its a very small possibility but you have to hedge against all negative outcomes.

News / Poland economy is a financially drained economy of suppliers? [33]

Lies, damned lies and statistics. Its not all one way flow.

theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/01/eu-poland-10-years-economic

News / Poland economy is a financially drained economy of suppliers? [33]

It doesnt matter where it is written or who wrote it as long as its accurate. You cant deny the money and investment hasnt come in. Foreign corps fill holes in the market. Polish enterprise couldnt offer a solution for Polish people at the time so foreign corps did. There is no hard and fast rule that only foreign corps can succeed, The Polish people chose to do business with foreign corps as they were getting a better deal with them than what was on offer at the time. And for what its worth the likes of Google dont pay taxes anywhere, thats the cost of them operating in you region, providing jobs, skils and investment. Its a two way street, coc za cos, but you can be sure if there is a better way of doing something, or one that makes more sense for business or consumer, someone will quickly come along and do it.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

Jernomo Martins, the owner of Biedronka, is listed in Portugal. The government has large and often controlling stakes in the majority of the WIG20 stocks, certainly the largest ones bar the odd example auch as Pekao. The rest such as PKOBP PGNIG PKNOrlen PZU KGHM PGE are all essentially controlled by the government. Thats wellover 50% of the whole mkt capitalisation of the WIG20. This is why the CEO's have all been fired and talks started to create conglomerates between PGNIG PKNOrlen and Lotos, another government controlled oil company.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]


The zloty has rebounded because interest rate expectations in the US have been cut back. When US rates go up, people move out of emerging market investments, such as Poland. When they go down, people move back in and we have seen interest rate expectations cut back strongly over the past couple of weeks. This is why the zloty has recovered against the dollar and the stockmarket has recovered a bit too.