Page 434 - Sustainable Cities and Communities Design Handbook

404 Sustainable Cities and Communities Design Handbook

signatories of a multilateral GATT 94/WTO Agreement, which regulates the
rules of international trade in a comprehensive and obligatory manner. 82

Prospects for Polish Enterprises in the Persian Gulf States
The Persian Gulf states feature a high level of money reserves. The last
financial crisis forced some Polish enterprises to undertake a more intensive
expansion abroad, which for some of them may contribute to establishing
cooperation with the countries in that part of the world. Several months have
already passed since the Arab Spring occurred. In some of the states, where a
government change had taken place, certain shifts in politics started, yet
pundits’ opinions are divided on whether the revolutions in a few countries of
North Africa can actually affect the economic relations with those countries.
Polish Exports in 2010 (mln PLN)
Saudi Arabia 580.3
Bahrain 43.8
Iraq 151.7
Iran 370.1
Oman 58.1
UAE 742.8
Qatar 48.8
Kuwait 84.1
Based on Central Statistical Office, http://www.stat.gov.pl/gus/index_ENG_HTML.htm.

Currently, it is chiefly construction companies that seek to win foreign
contracts. A significant drop in the number of public tenders in Poland gave
the impetus for undertaking actions in that direction. In the course of 2009 and
2010, the value of tender offers realized for GDDKiA 83 exceeded 40 billion
PLN; however, in 2011 orders stood at 4 billion PLN. Yet, a large part of
Polish construction companies market has foreign shareholders, who vie for
contracts in the Near East on their own behalf. They do not welcome any
competitors from Poland; hence, they may oppose the expansion of affiliated
enterprises into the Arab region.

The Persian Gulf Markets

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait register significant budget surpluses
(amounting to 20.5% GDP, second highest in the world), so do Iran, Oman,
and the UAE. Only Bahrain and Iraq follow the example of the Western world
and spend more than their budget income.

82. http://www.obserwatorfinansowy.pl/2012/02/20/przedsiebiorcom-z-polski-marza-sie-kontrakty-z-
1001-nocy-jest-potencjal/.
83. http://www.gddkia.gov.pl/en/1618/News.