Over 20 businesses from across the East Midlands attended an event in Derby to find out more about Poland and the opportunities available for British firms.

According to a report by the European Commission, the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to grow at robust rates of 3.5% per year in 2016 and 2017, well above the EU average.

Poland was also the only EU country that weathered the post-2007 global financial and economic crises without undergoing any recession.

The seminar was hosted by the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) and East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) at the University of Derby’s Enterprise Centre.

Managing Director of award-winning languages business PAB Translation Centre Iwona Lebiedowicz was one of the experts invited to speak.

“Being a Polish European studies graduate as well as having PAB offices in both the UK and Poland, I have first-hand experience in business culture and communication, networking etiquette as well as the differences and similarities in non-verbal communication between Polish and English business people,” she explained.

“When working in the global commercial environment, knowledge of the impact of cultural differences is one of the keys to international business success and I was delighted to be able to offer my support and expertise to other East Midlands businesses at this event.

“My advice to anyone considering selling to Poland is to research the culture of the company you are planning to connect with, beware of stereotypes and don’t take any culture for granted. You need to be prepared, be patient and communicate regularly with business partners to ensure a common understanding of expectations – yours and theirs.”

Also speaking at the event was Marek Schejbal, Senior Consultant at the British Polish Chamber of Commerce, who presented an update on business opportunities in Poland and Jennifer Bone from MIES International Ltd who talked about the freight journey to Poland.

Jan Immel, International Trade Contracts and Networks Manager at the East Midlands Chamber, said: “Poland’s consistently strong performance in the face of global economic troubles makes it an attractive market for East Midlands exporters.

“The importance of arming companies with the cultural insight necessary to effectively conduct business in Poland, as well as providing them with information about the support on offer and how to physically get their goods out there, cannot be underestimated.”

Ends

Notes to Editors

PAB Translation Centre specialises in translation services for exporters in over 200 languages and provides advice on cross-cultural awareness that takes away the language and cultural barriers making growing business overseas much easier.

PAB was first established in 2009 and just one year later won the Contribution to Boston Award. In 2011 it gained ISO 9001 quality management certification and Quality Translation status in 2012. PAB Translation Centre is also a member of the European Language Industry Association (ELIA).

For further information, visit http://www.pabtranslation.co.uk

For further information about this news release please email:

Kate Strawson

Shooting Star

kate@weareshootingstar.co.uk

01522 528540

07733 230293