How would you describe the current economic outlook of Poland, especially considering the latest trends and developments?

Over the past 35 years, Poland has completed one of Europe’s most successful transformations. Poland is today a USD 1 trillion economy in nominal GDP, ranking 20th globally.

The outlook for 2026 remains strong, with projected growth of around 3.5%, driven by resilient private consumption, manufacturing, and accelerated investment — including in defence and strategic infrastructure. In short: Poland has built solid foundations and is now scaling up. We are not just catching up; we are co-shaping Europe’s economic future.

2. Finland–Poland Business Cooperation

How do you assess the present state of economic and trade relations between Poland and Finland?

Polish-Finnish relations are stronger than ever — and, as I sometimes say, they have reached both quantum and cosmic levels.

On the quantum side, cooperation involving IQM Quantum Computers connects Finland’s cutting-edge computing with Poland’s growing high-tech ecosystem. On the cosmic level, collaboration with ICEYE shows how our partnership literally extends into space.

Trade and services turnover approaches €7 billion and continues to grow dynamically. Finland — known for innovation, political stability, and leadership in green and digital transition — is a highly reliable partner.

And this partnership is supported by real connectivity. Finnair operates three to four daily flights between Helsinki and Warsaw, as well as connections from Turku to Gdańsk. Meanwhile, LOT Polish Airlines flies from Warsaw to Rovaniemi in winter — which is only logical, given that around 80% of Polish children write letters to Santa Claus. Logistics matters, even in diplomacy.

3. Promising Areas for Collaboration

Which sectors or themes do you see as the most promising for deepening bilateral cooperation?

Security and high-tech industries are central. The Baltic Sea region today faces profound geopolitical and economic challenges — and this creates opportunity for strategic cooperation.

Energy transition is one obvious field. The shift towards zero-emission systems, accelerated by disruptions in fossil fuel supply, opens space for joint innovation in renewables, electrification, and nuclear energy.

Defence is another. Poland has developed significant capabilities in drones and artillery systems (Piorun), IT solutions, and simulation technologies. Finnish expertise in advanced systems and resilience makes this a natural area for joint R&D and technology transfer.

Beyond national level cooperation, I see tremendous potential in regional partnerships — for example between Turku and Rauma, and the Tri-City of Gdańsk and Gdynia. Our coastal regions share maritime industries, ports, and shipbuilding traditions. Around the Baltic Sea, geography is an advantage.

4. Foreign Investment Environment

What makes Poland an attractive destination for foreign investors today, and which incentive programs would you highlight?

Poland’s attractiveness rests on fundamentals: strategic location in the heart of Europe, modern infrastructure, economic stability, and a highly skilled, multilingual workforce — particularly in IT, engineering, and advanced services.

With close to 40 million consumers, Poland offers scale combined with competitive operating costs. EU and NATO membership provides legal stability and predictable regulatory frameworks.

The government actively supports investment through R&D tax relief, the Innovation Box regime for intellectual property income, and targeted grants for major economic projects. These instruments are not theoretical — they are widely used by companies investing in advanced manufacturing, digitalisation, and green technologies.

In other words, Poland offers not only market access, but a serious ecosystem for innovation.

5. EU Context, Regional Stability & Strategic Priorities

How do current European developments—including green transition, energy security, and the situation in Ukraine—shape Poland’s strategic direction?

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine fundamentally reinforced Poland’s strategic focus on security — political, military, economic, and energy-related. Defence spending has increased significantly, and cooperation with both EU and US partners has deepened.

Even before 2022, Poland had reduced reliance on Russian gas through projects such as the Baltic Pipe. After the outbreak of war, we completely stopped importing Russian fossil fuels and accelerated diversification.

Despite historical reliance on coal, renewables now generate more than 30% of electricity (solar and wind combined in 2024), and nuclear energy is a central pillar of our long-term strategy. Energy transition in Poland is not only about climate; it is about sovereignty and resilience.

In the Baltic Sea region, shared security concerns and twin green-digital transformation are bringing our countries closer together.

6. Innovation, Sustainability & Digitalisation

What key initiatives is Poland undertaking in innovation and green transition where cooperation with Finland could be strengthened?

Energy transition remains a major field for cooperation. The Finnish group Fortum plays a visible role in decarbonising Poland’s heating sector, aiming to phase out coal in its operations and move toward renewables and electrification.

In nuclear energy, cooperation is both institutional and industrial. Since 2017, Poland’s National Atomic Energy Agency (PAA) and Finland’s STUK have cooperated on nuclear safety and regulatory standards.

In February 2024, Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe signed a two-year agreement with Fortum and TVO Nuclear Services to support preparations for Poland’s first nuclear power plant in Pomerania — including design, operational planning, training, and waste management systems.

This is a very concrete example of how strategic trust translates into practical cooperation.

7. Ambassador’s Priorities

What are your main priorities as Ambassador to Finland, and what message would you like to share with Finnish businesses and partners?

Security — broadly understood — is the strategic backbone of our relations. But security today includes energy, technology, infrastructure, and economic resilience.

The Baltic Sea region has a historic opportunity to become one of Europe’s most integrated and dynamic areas. Consider that soon the rail journey from Tallinn to Warsaw — and further to Berlin — will take around seven hours. This changes the mental map of Europe. It even gives new context to visionary projects such as a Helsinki–Tallinn tunnel or hydrogen corridors linking Finland with Central Europe.

Let us imagine more joint ventures in quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, satellite systems, and defence industries. With projects involving IQM and ICEYE already in motion, the sky is quite literally no limit.

As Ambassador, I also attach great importance to regional engagement. Over just a little more than a year, I have visited Turku, Tampere, Kuopio, Joensuu, Vaasa and Seinäjoki. Diplomacy does not stop in capitals — it thrives where universities, innovators and entrepreneurs work.

Our Embassy actively animates public diplomacy events on a large scale. Visibility generates interest; interest generates partnerships; partnerships generate investment and tourism. Already around 120,000 Finnish tourists visit Poland annually — and the number grows rapidly.

If, together with my excellent team, we manage to further strengthen this momentum — economically, technologically, and regionally — I will consider my mission truly fulfilled.

8. From your perspective, how is the interest of Polish enterprises in Finland evolving, and what strategic sectors could drive the next phase of economic partnership between our countries?

Interest from Polish companies is steadily increasing. Since 2004, Polish exports to Finland have grown nearly sixfold. Polish firms are increasingly active in IT services, logistics, industrial subcontracting, and advanced technology niches. Participation in Finnish trade fairs and integration into supply chains continues to expand.

Looking ahead, key sectors include:

Defence, Security, and Critical Technologies

Energy and Green Transition

Digitalisation and Innovation

Sustainable Transport & Logistics

Agri-food and healthy living markets

To put it simply: Polish-Finnish cooperation has moved beyond transactional trade. It is becoming strategic, regional, innovative — and occasionally even cosmic.

Answers: H.E Mr Tomasz Marek Chłoń, Ambassador of Poland to Finland

Questions: Anne Hatanpää