Growth in Poland & unlock the CEE region from Valians International Insights

Valians
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Poland and the wider Central & Eastern Europe (CEE) region have become key destinations for international companies seeking sustainable growth in Poland and long-term expansion within the European Union. Supported by strong economic fundamentals, competitive operating costs, and access to highly skilled talent, Poland plays a central role in regional growth strategies across manufacturing, logistics, technology, and advanced services.

As the largest economy in CEE and a gateway to the EU Single Market, growth in Poland is increasingly driven by nearshoring, infrastructure investment, and rising domestic demand. At the same time, neighboring CEE markets offer complementary advantages that allow companies to scale efficiently across Europe.

However, achieving growth in Poland requires more than market interest. Companies must understand local business practices, competitive dynamics, and on-the-ground execution realities to succeed.

To explore these opportunities and challenges, we spoke with Mrs Karolina Tadla, a Senior Project Manager at Valians International, who has supported hundreds of companies in evaluating, entering, and scaling their activities across the region.

Interview with Karolina Tadla, Senior Project Manager at Valians International

The Central Transport Hub (CPK) is a strategic mega-project, planned for the coming years.
The Poland’s Central Transport Hub (CPK) is a strategic mega-project planned for the coming years.

  • From your experience, what makes Poland and the CEE region stand out as a destination for international expansion?

    Poland and CEE stand out for international expansion due to several key factors. Poland serves as Europe’s logistics gateway with its central location, upgraded infrastructure, and the Central Transport Hub (CPK) – a strategic mega-project, planned for the coming years, featuring a mega-airport and high-speed rail connecting Western markets to growth corridors. 

    Poland offers CEE’s largest domestic market (nearly 38 million consumers) with expected 3-3.5% GDP growth in 2026, low unemployment, and rising wages fueling demand. The region combines a multilingual skilled workforce, competitive CIT for SMEs, full EU single market access, and record FDI from multinationals like Google and Microsoft. 

  • What are the most dynamic sectors right now in Poland and the wider CEE region?

    Poland and CEE excel in high-tech and industrial sectors fueled by EU funds and nearshoring. Top performers include: 
    – Manufacturing: leads with strong revenues and €12B+ FDI driving nearshoring from Germany and Western Europe.  
    – Defense & Aerospace: Poland’s fastest-growing strategic sector with defense spending over 4.5% GDP – NATO’s highest relative commitment. 
    – Logistics: dominates with a $50B+ market with massive warehouse expansion, Europe’s largest freight share – perfectly positioned for manufacturing/IT/defense supply chains.  
    – IT: over 430K BPO/SSC jobs and Google/Microsoft data centers, delivering the highest quality at CEE cost advantage.  
    – Medical & MedTech: rapid growth with substantial government healthcare funding through 2026, emphasizing AI diagnostics and digital transformation. 

  • When companies first explore these markets, what common misconceptions or mistakes do you often see?

    One of the most common misconceptions I encounter is that CEE markets offer the same low-cost manufacturing advantages and massive scale as Asia, without the associated risks. While our labor and operational costs are competitive (often 30-50% lower than Western Europe), EU quality standards, regulatory compliance, and logistics add layers of complexity that can erode those savings if not managed properly.

    Another factor is that each CEE market has its own unique dynamics, so companies entering should first study the local landscape and craft tailor-made offerings. These markets are just as competitive as anywhere else in Europe; success depends on grasping local buyer preferences, quality expectations, and budget realities.

    Finally, CEE companies don’t like to be kept waiting too long for offers. Local buyers prioritize quick responses and customized adaptations, making collaboration with an experienced on-the-ground partner essential for prosperous development. 

  • How does Valians International help foreign businesses successfully enter and grow in Poland or CEE?

    Valians International serves as your local partner, guiding companies through market entry, regulatory compliance, talent acquisition, and sales acceleration across Poland and CEE.

    We provide targeted prospecting, ongoing operational monitoring with reporting, key account management, commercial network development, on-site support, part-time expert deployment, full sales/distribution oversight, order tracking, and even company domiciliation. This end-to-end approach enables our clients to scale efficiently in complex CEE markets. 

  • Could you share an example of a project where local expertise really made a difference to the client’s success?

    A French SME distributing stainless steel and titanium struggled to grow Polish sales amid language barriers and time constraints. Valians International deployed two part-time project managers to prospect 250+ accounts, run sales tours with 50 in-person meetings, and attend key trade shows. This opened 10 new accounts, boosted sales by +150%, and led them to hire our full-time salesperson for ongoing expansion. The company continues boosting its sales on the Polish market, which we consider a major success. 

  • In your view, what key factors determine whether a business will succeed or struggle when entering CEE markets?

    Success in CEE markets depends on three key factors, backed by practical steps we’ve seen work. 
    – Deep local knowledge and complete market adaptation: Leverage local sales resources, train local teams, and fully adapt your commercial approach to cultural and regulatory realities. 
    – Agile execution with total commitment: Engage your commercial, technical, and industrial teams for timely offers, follow-ups, on-site visits, and order management—while staying flexible to listen and adapt to market feedback. 
    – Clear roles and long-term partnerships: Let local experts like Valians International handle client contact and prospecting while you focus on negotiations and back-office support,   
    This combination builds trust, ensures speed, and drives sustainable growth. 

  • Looking ahead, what trends or opportunities should companies watch closely in 2026 and beyond?

    Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, companies should watch these key trends in CEE markets. 
    – Nearshoring will accelerate through Poland’s strategic logistics hubs, bringing supply chains closer to Central and Eastern Europe.  
    – AI-driven innovations and Industry 5.0, alongside Poland’s defense expansion, will reshape manufacturing and security. 
    – EU Green Deal funds targeting CEE renewables and decarbonization efforts will impact transformative investments in sustainable energy.  

Nearshoring will accelerate through Poland’s strategic logistics hubs, bringing supply chains closer to Central and Eastern Europe.
Nearshoring will accelerate through Poland’s strategic logistics hubs, bringing supply chains closer to Central and Eastern Europe.

Conclusion

Poland has firmly positioned itself as one of Europe’s most attractive destinations for international expansion, offering companies a rare combination of market size, stability, and long-term opportunity. As this interview highlights, growth in Poland is not driven by cost advantages alone, but by strategic execution, local adaptation, and strong on-the-ground partnerships.

However, as this interview with Mrs. Karolina Tadla illustrates, entering Poland or CEE is not a one-size-fits-all exercise. Each market has distinct regulatory frameworks, buyer expectations, and competitive dynamics. Companies that succeed are those that combine a clear market entry strategy with deep local knowledge, fast commercial execution, and reliable on-the-ground support.

As nearshoring, digitalization, defense investment, and green transition accelerate across CEE, the region offers not only cost efficiency but long-term growth opportunities. With the right local partner, businesses can turn these structural advantages into sustainable commercial success.

Considering an expansion or acceleration in Poland or the CEE region?
Connect with the team at Valians International to evaluate your market entry strategy, identify priority sectors, and build a scalable presence with on-the-ground execution support.

About the Expert

Karolina Tadla is a Senior Project Manager at Valians International, where she supports international companies expanding into Poland and the wider Central & Eastern Europe (CEE) region.

Karolina Tadla is a Senior Project Manager at Valians International, where she supports international companies expanding into Poland and the wider Central & Eastern Europe (CEE) region.

She specializes in market entry strategy, local sales development, and operational execution, working closely with clients across manufacturing, logistics, technology, and industrial sectors. With hands-on experience managing on-the-ground projects and commercial development in CEE markets, Karolina brings practical insights into how foreign companies can adapt, scale, and succeed in complex European environments.

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