Industry is an asset for the Polish economy. Poland has resisted the deindustrialisation trend that has caused industrial production in the European Union to flow outside Europe. The share of industry in value added amounted to 24.7% in 2020, while the share of industry in employment reached 23,3%.  Between 2004 and 2019, productivity in industry increased at an annual rate of 3.5 percent. The strength of domestic industry proved particularly important at times when international trade collapsed, as it did at the outset of the pandemic.

I see the recovery from the pandemic as an opportunity which must be seized by the Polish economy. And Poland's starting position is particularly good. It is worth to note that the share of industry in GDP has been constant for multiple years, which is a major achievement given the dynamic development of the economy. Today, our strong industry is discussed by all EU heads of state and government. Industrial companies have done well during the pandemic crisis. We quickly returned to the production values achieved in previous years. Polish industry has shown itself to be resilient and highly adaptable in this difficult period

– Deputy Prime Minister Jarosław Gowin says.

He goes on to add:

This is a good starting point for the activities aiming to build its strength and competitiveness in the long term. Since January, we have continued an intensive dialogue with industry aiming to strengthen resilience and support the recovery of the Polish economy. We discussed its strategic needs. Their reliable identification allows for an effective, precise and long-term programme solutions and reforms allowing the Polish industry to become more innovative, efficient and competitive

– the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Economic Development, Labour and Technology Jarosław Gowin said.

A comprehensive industrial policy that is going to support industries that are traditionally strong but feeling the effects of the crisis, as well as create a solid foundation for industries with high growth potential. The Industrial Policy of Poland does therefore distinguish three categories of key industries: those that are traditionally strong but face new challenges, those that have high development potential and dynamism, and those that have new development prospects. In addition, we also highlighted the important role of services for the industry – in particular ICT, transport and business support services

– adds Deputy Minister Robert Tomanek.

Poland's Industrial Policy contains a set of measures designed to help make full use of and develop the potential of Polish industry. It was based on 5 defined development axes corresponding to key challenges faced by the Polish economy. These include:

• Digitalisation – improving industrial operations from product design to changing business models using digital technologies;
• Safety – in the area of technology and raw materials, including the restoration of production capacity for key products necessary to ensure the safety of citizens, e.g., pharmaceutical or medical products;
• Localisation of industrial production – ensuring economic autonomy, shortening supply chains and diversifying sources of raw materials and intermediates;
• Green Deal – accelerating the transition towards a low carbon economy, including a closed loop economy;
• A high-competence society – matching the needs of the labour market.

The Industrial Policy of Poland assigns two types of support instruments to five development axes. The first type is horizontal and concerns challenges covering the entire economy, while the other is sectoral, and responds to the needs of specific industries.

Horizontal instruments aim to:

• strengthen sustainable, low-carbon, green and digital growth of industrial companies;
• support domestic investment and exports;
• strengthen the technological and raw material sovereignty of our companies.

They will also provide support to the Polish industry in the challenge of upgrading or changing the competences of the workforce, while building lasting relationships between industry and the industrial and higher education system. These measures will be complemented by systemic changes expected by the industry within the labour market – e.g., in labour law, employment of foreigners or facilitating employment.

In the case of instruments tailored to the specific needs of key industries for the development of the Polish economy on the other hand, this means activities in the following areas:

• legislative solutions – such as deregulation or industry-specific issues.
• funding of an industry-wide coherent research agenda.
• labour market and competences – key importance of instruments offered in a sectoral manner in the following areas:
  • developing the competences and changing the competence profile of employees;
  •  lifelong learning, dual education and sectoral education;
  • procurement of learning outcomes.

Industry contract

Industry contracts, concluded between the government and representatives of a specific industry will be of the tools for implementing the intentions of the Polish Industrial Policy. This agreement will have its precise objectives, expected results and duration. Both parties will commit to actions that respond to the barriers faced by the industry and fit into the development strategy for the Polish economy. Aligning these two needs in the process of creating an industry contract will allow for improved synergies between the pro-development activities of the private and public sectors. The benefit brought for the sector includes the design of public sector actions, tailored to the specific needs of the sector, which may not be sufficiently addressed by horizontal policies. The works related to the contract also intend to serve the self-organisation of the industry and joint reflection on its needs, as well as to encourage business cooperation aimed at long-term development.