Firmy polonijno-zagraniczne jako przejaw rozwoju sektora prywatnego u schyłku PRL-u

Abstract

The socio-economic situation of the late seventies and eighties made ‘Polonia’ entrepreneurs able to conduct business in the country. The factor that contributed to stimulating the private sector development in this form was the failure of Edward Gierek’s economic policy. In contrast to the vulgar socialism of Władysław Gomułka, E. Gierek promised improvement in the financial situation of the society - even prosperity for everyone. The early seventies were the confirmation of those promises. There was a noticeable increase in the national income, in real wages in the socialized economy, in the number of completed apartments and the scope of social benefits. ‘Polonia’-foreign enterprises became a complete novelty in the reality of the Polish People’s Republic. They appeared following the regulation of the Council of Ministers of 14 May 1976 and obtained important privileges. Undoubtedly, among them was an exemption (for a period of 3 years) from the income tax and a reduction of the amount of a mandatory re-sale of foreign exchange at the official rate. This resulted in a consistent increase in the number of such enterprises. For most of the 1980s, ‘Polonia’-foreign enterprises became an essential element of the Polish economic landscape. The monopoly of ‘Polonia’-foreign enterprises ended with the entry into force of the Act of 23 April 1986 on companies with foreign participation. Polish state-owned entities were given the opportunity to create joint ventures with foreign entities.