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The consumers' growing awareness and new regulations contribute to the favourable situation in the waste management sector. Entrepreneurs positively assess the waste transport regulations which entered into force in late January, and the decision of the Minister of the Environment on levelling off the environmental fees for segregated and mixed waste storage. Provisions increasing corporate responsibility for produced waste will also contribute to market regulation.

Over 90% of Polish communes have benefited from EU funds, as a result of which a vast majority of Polish people act as beneficiaries of EU resources. For this reason over 80% of of Poles assess the outcomes of the EU funds use in a positive way, as revealed by SW Research in its surveys conducted for the European Commission. Two-thirds of the survey participants have stressed that investment projects improving the road and infrastructure condition have the biggest impact on the development of their immediate surroundings. Under the current financial perspective, Poland has been the main beneficiary of EU resources.

According to the latest National Bank of Poland inflation report, this year prices in Poland will grow at an average rate of 2.1 percent. This is less than expected in November, when inflation was predicted at 2.3 percent. At 3.3 percent, food prices are expected to increase the most. However, the projected GDP growth has been revised upwards.

EUR 910 bn – this is the contribution of the computer software industry to the EU economy. This is 7.4 percent of the EU’s GDP. The companies developing software directly create over 3 million jobs, and a total of nearly 12 million individuals were employed by companies indirectly associated with that sector – according to BSA data. Software and its development are also one of the most important drivers of research and efficiency growth in all sectors of the economy.

The maximum reduction of boar populations to avoid the ASF spreading, the protection from secondary infections within Polish borders and the biosafety of Polish agricultural holdings are the priorities in fighting down the ASF, commonly referred to as Asfivirus. The 108th epidemic focus was identified by the end of February. Some of the farmers sustaining production losses due to ASF have already submitted applications for financial compensation.

Last year’s total trade between Poland and Italy exceeded EUR 20 billion in value. Polish exports increased by over 13 percent, while imports recorded a 6 percent growth year on year. Our mutual investments are promising as well, with more than 3,000 Italian companies, totalling EUR 20 billion in turnover, in addition to sole traders (e.g. restaurant owners). What Italians find especially appealing about Poland is the ease of setting up a business here. On the other hand, both small and large investors complain about the shortage of workforce.

A considerable 48 percent of Warsaw’s office space is at least 10 years old. Still, older office buildings can retain their appeal to tenants – Agnieszka Krzekotowska, Property Manager, Colliers International, argues. One of their assets is that they are usually well-located, with convenient access to public transport. However, without investing in upgrades the owners of these buildings will have a hard time competing with the latest projects. No wonder, then, that almost half of Warsaw’s older office facilities have already been upgraded or are undergoing upgrades.

The heating industry is facing challenges connected with an avalanche of new regulations: from the Winter Package to RES Directives, to the implementation of the capacity market and a new system of support for combined heat and power. According to industry representatives, this system should be independent but compatible with the capacity market. This would allow the heating industry to become a partner for the electric power industry.

Data transmission using 5G technology is to be ten times faster than in 4G, and in the future the technology is expected to power efficient communication between tens of billions of devices. First tests of this next-gen mobile network will be carried out by Orange Polska as early as in 2019. This is also when the first 4G and 5G smartphones will land in shops. Technology roll-out has been planned for 2020–2021. The development of 5G networks will be based on such milestones as securing appropriate wavebands and building new infrastructure.

Polskie Górnictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo is investigating the possibilities of using unmanned aircraft systems to, i.a., detect gas leaks and monitor gas pipes. The systems are already used for geodetic measurements. The objective of using drones is not only to streamline the company’s operations but also to save millions. Currently PGNiG is cooperating with a start-up on using a new type of UAS for the company's purposes.

Contrary to continuous wave lasers commonly used in data transmission, the Polish invention will use pulsed lasers. This will ensure a significantly greater range and minimise interference during data transmission. Experts from the Institute of Optoelectronics, Military University of Technology (WAT), are working on employing this new technology in laser distance meters to allow soldiers to communicate in difficult terrain and during radio silence. NASA has taken an Interest in optical data transmission technology as well.

Poland has a chance of becoming a leader in the development of materials of the future. Soon, the NOMATEN Centre of Excellence will be established in Świerk to develop new materials for chemicals, radiopharmaceuticals, or the nuclear industry. The Centre will carry out research into materials resistant to extreme operating conditions using computer simulations, among other tools. At the same time, these materials could make the HTR technology a Polish specialty. Additionally, nuclear power would allow Poland to cut its gas imports and create an extra supply of power and heat.

As many as 80 percent of enterprises are experiencing problems receiving on-time payments from their contracting parties. At the same time, however, only a little more than a half of companies check their prospective partners before engaging in cooperation. Although the waiting time is getting shorter and is currently 3 months on average, in over 46 percent of companies one in five receivables is overdue. Modern technologies provide easier ways to collect debts. An online application for debt collection can increase the effectiveness of this process by up to a half.

In 2017 Polish companies exported goods with a value exceeding EUR 203 bn, and this year the results may be equally favourable. The economic situation of our major recipients in the EU is improving, and consumer and producer sentiments are on the rise. Machinery parts and food are our export hits, but, as experts point out, Polish exports are diversified and do not rely on a specific group of products, while domestic companies often find their market niches. In the years to come, even if the growth rate in exports decelerates, the share of Polish producers in the global market will still increase because of the relatively low prices.

By 2050 the shortages on the labour market will have reached around 10.6 m people aged 18-44. As the data published by Deloitte demonstrate, they can be compensated by the migration of 4.5 m employees from eastern countries. In 2017, 1.8 m declarations of the intention to commission work to foreigners were issued, 94% of which were for Ukrainians. The demand for workers from eastern countries is particularly high in the logistics sector, for which they are a guarantee of development. It is necessary to further simplify the employment procedures for foreigners from eastern countries and provide them with fair employment conditions. Without this, foreigners will choose Western European countries,” claimed Grzegorz Szenejko of Optimum GO.