Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki gave a speech at the Harvard Club in New York City on Thursday, opening for a panel discussion among the leaders of the country's biggest firms, such as PZU, PKO BP, and Pekao S.A., meant to encourage foreign investments in Poland.
The conference, called "Poland, the Can-Do Nation," was sponsored by PZU, Polish biggest insurance company, and moderated by a Reuters journalist. It took place just few days after the FTSE Russell reclassified Poland from Advanced Emerging to Developed market.
Polish PM said that "last week, Poland was promoted by the FTSE Russell from the group of emerging markets to developed ones, a breakthrough decision, but not surprising. I want to tell you today how we have done it, and what we are going to do to keep growing".
"Poland is now building a model of democratic capitalism for the many, not the few. We have implemented one of the most extensive family policies in Europe, measured by level of expenditure. In 2016, we spent 2.5 percent of GDP on it, which was the largest ratio among developed countries," said Morawiecki.
He added that "while Europe is experiencing the last... the lost decade of its youth, Poland is building an economic environment, which combines low unemployment, innovative-oriented jobs, and a stable future for the young people".
Morawiecki used somewhat British metaphore to describe Poland's tax system. "Our policy is inspired, our fiscal policy is inspired more by Sherlock Holmes rather than Robin Hood. If something is at the heart of the new Polish way, it is the creation of an innovative and effective system of tax collection."
"In 2019, our country should overtake Portugal in terms of GDP per capita. We've overtaken Greece already, and we'll be on its way to overtake Italy in the next five to ten years," Polish PM reassured.
"There is also plenty of room for foreign investment. Contrary to some claims, we are very enthusiastic about this," Morawiecki told the gathering.
Earlier on Thursday morning, Morawiecki rung the opening bell on the New York Stock Exchange.
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24 International, Reuters