I kindly invite you to a reading of an interview with Mr. Thomas H. Clemens, CEcD who is a Vice President of Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance (HREDA).
Maya M. Kowalczyk : What are the key differences between Polish and American market ?
Thomas H. Clemens : The differences between our economies would be difficult for me to address. What I see is many similiarities that make up our economic days. We both are very heavily involved with maritime. We both have a lot of concentrations of manufacturing and a lot of the manufacturing is now being driven by new technologies. We see that in both Poland and Euro industries, and in ours what we would like to see is the developing what means a better understanding of our companies for opportunities in Poland and for Polish companies that are loking to grow their activities in the US. The US is a large market. Earlier many companies tend to think is if you go to the US you should start your business should start in New York and California because that are very well known international cities, but they are two of the most expensive palces in the US. So, if small companies plan to establish its presence there they have two problems. First, it is very, very expensive to do business there, and second is they do not really receive any assistance. When you are going to open a two person office in New York noone cares. We care because we have the same small companies strating with one or two people, and then they grow to ten, fifty, and a hundred people over time. So, we offer all about services to these companies to just help them start a one person North American sales office. We will help them, and provide them with an assistance at no charge.
When entering American market is it better to start up a company in the US or just export products from Poland ?
I am an economic developer, but I think that most companies if they are going to have business relationships with the companies from Poland find it an advantage if a Polish company has a presence in the US. Now, they have someone in the US to call, and if there are questions, if there are servicing issues, and the product questions … . I think it is a big advantage for a comapny to have an office in the US, and to serve the United States market.
Is it expensive ?
No, it is very inexpencive to come in to the United States. Mr Norman is an expert of legal standpoint of establishing a business, but you can, actually, open an office and incorporate your business in Virginia for less than 2 000 $.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Maya M. Kowalczyk