Poland is one of the European leaders in terms of forest resources. The pool of natural resources available to our country includes not only strategic energy resources, but also wood, which is beginning to play a key role in the economy. Due to the growing awareness of its importance, the Minister of Development and Technology, Krzysztof Paszyk, has initiated measures to recognize wood as a strategic raw material.
The legislative initiative mentioned by Minister Krzysztof Paszyk makes profound sense in the context of the economy. The timber industry in Poland is a substantial part of the national economy - it generates 5% of GDP, brings together some 40,000 companies and provides jobs for half a million people. In a situation where wood is beginning to be treated on a par with energy resources such as oil and gas, its recognition as a strategic raw material is becoming a necessity.
A major problem facing the Polish wood industry is the export of wood in its raw form. Much of this wealth leaves the country before it is processed. This state of affairs limits the development of the domestic wood industry and causes significant losses to the economy. Without adequate regulation, Poland is losing out, both economically and in terms of potential innovation in the industry.
The draft legislation proposed by the government aims to protect wood as a key resource. It includes thoughtful export regulations to limit the export of unprocessed wood. Such measures are likely to increase the added value of the domestic industry and the development of innovative technologies in the area of wood processing.
The new policy also opens up the possibility of strengthening Polish industry by developing partnerships and investments in domestic processing plants. This could not only increase industry revenues, but also improve the labor market and strengthen Poland's position on the international economic stage. In the long run, such a change could bring significant benefits, making the timber industry one of the flywheels of the Polish economy.
