Boosting SMEs’ internationalisation in Poland
The rapid internationalisation of the Polish economy has helped develop competitive
export-led manufacturing and services sectors fostering robust growth and productivity
performance. However, the benefits of this development have been unequal. Many small
and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), some regions and social groups have lagged behind.
Poland’s integration into world trade has largely focussed on downstream activities
of value chains and relatively labour-intensive products that incorporate little domestic
value added. The coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has put additional pressures on SMEs.
A broad range of well-coordinated policies is required to boost SMEs’ internationalisation
and their productivity, while easing labour reallocation during the ongoing recovery.
Providing stronger support for training programmes in smaller firms and within small
firms’ networks would help them upgrade the skills of their workforce, notably for
their managers, and ease new technology adoption and internationalisation. Streamlining
regulations on start-ups and limiting regulatory and tax barriers to firm expansion
would raise firm entry and growth. Strengthening post-insolvency second chance policies
for honest entrepreneurs would ease resource reallocation and the adaptation of SMEs
to an uncertain and rapidly changing international environment. Improving transport
and digital infrastructure would lower trade costs and raise productivity. Ensuring
that innovation policies adapt to smaller firms would boost their innovativeness and
ease their integration in national and international value chains.
Published on January 27, 2021
In series:OECD Economics Department Working Papersview more titles