Social contributions from Ukrainian entrepreneurs in Poland to rise 50% in 2023

MOSCOW. Oct 10 (Interfax) - Ukrainian entrepreneurs operating in Poland paid 4 billion zlotys ($927 million at the current exchange rate) in social contributions to the Polish Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) in 2022, and this year these payments are expected to grow by 50% to 6 billion zlotys, the Polish government's representative for Polish-Ukrainian cooperation in the field of development Jadwiga Emilewicz said.

"Ukraine and Poland often communicate at a heightened diplomatic temperature. At the same time, exports from Poland to Ukraine grew by 55% last year, while exports from Ukraine to Poland increased by 40%," Ukrainian media quoted Emilewicz as saying at the 2nd Ukraine Recovery Forum, organized by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency in Warsaw recently.

As many as 30,000 Ukrainian entrepreneurs are currently registered in Poland, she said.

This rate of receiving social contributions from then should be taken into account during discussions on privileges and assistance for Ukrainian citizens, she said.

The development of Ukrainian business in Poland has been facilitated by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH), which, after the crisis broke out, temporarily moved its Kiev office to Warsaw, where a Ukrainian business support center was set up and a Diia.Business office was opened, the official said.

Ukrainian businesses registered in Poland, which are both private entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises, have been trying to work for the two countries, Emilewicz said.

"Many Ukrainian firms view the Polish market as the first one before entering the European market. We should take similar steps and view Ukrainian entrepreneurs in Poland as possible partners for Polish companies in Ukraine," she said.

Another opportunity for Polish business is that fact that a large number of goods that were previously manufactured by foreign companies in Ukraine are now produced at enterprises in Poland, she said.

"Today major French, German or American capital is afraid of entering the Ukrainian market which it does not know, but it very well knows Poland as a safe haven for business, and they will participate in the restoration of Ukraine from Poland. It is a great chance for us. The Polish Investment and Trade Agency is playing a key role in this process," Emilewicz said.

As reported, the Polish Investment and Trade Agency reopened its Kiev office in July. PAIH has compiled a list of more than 2,500 Polish companies that are interested in contributing to Ukraine's recovery.