Turkey is a very important economic partner for Poland. This is evidenced by the dynamic trade, the first quarter of which 2021 saw a 31% increase in trade volumes. However, this still does not exhaust the business opportunities for cooperation. The customs union formula between the EU and Turkey in its current form covers only industrial goods and certain processed agricultural goods. Deepening cooperation may include extending the customs union to, for instance, trade in services and public procurement. The elimination of non-tariff barriers to access the Turkish market is also crucial from the perspective of Polish entrepreneurs – noted Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economic Development, Labour and Technology Jarosław Gowin during a conversation with his Turkish counterpart.

Economic relations between Poland and Turkey

Turkey remains Poland's key partner in the Middle East and Asia. According to preliminary statistics for 2020, Polish exports to Turkey placed it in 22nd position and imports from Turkey ranked the country in 15th place. In terms of trade in goods, it ranks 19th.

Preliminary statistics for 2020 show that trade turnover amounted to EUR 6 billion 203.3 million, an increase of 6% in comparison to the same period last year. Polish exports amounted to EUR 2 billion 233.8 million (a 15% increase in comparison to the same period last year) and imports from Turkey amounted to EUR 3 billion 969.6 million (a 1% increase compared to the same period last year).

The structure of Polish exports to Turkey in 2020 is dominated by: internal combustion engines (8.8%), passenger cars (6.9%), automotive components and accessories (4.7%), iron and steel waste and scrap (4.4%), cleaning products (2.5%), reception apparatus for television; monitors, video projectors (2.4%), new rubber pneumatic tyres (2.3%), heavy goods vehicles (2.2%), tractors (2.1%). Imports were dominated by: vehicles (14.5%), clothing (9.4%), automotive components and accessories (4.2%), tractors (3.2%), heavy goods vehicles (2.5%), knitted articles (2.3%), parts for internal combustion engines (1.7%), refrigerators, freezers (1.5%).

At the same time, the interest of Polish investors in Turkey continues to grow. According to the information published by NBP [The National Bank of Poland], Polish investments in Turkey in 2019 amounted to EUR 233.7 million. Polish companies from the IT, construction chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food and secondary raw materials trading sectors remain active in Turkey.