Articles in English
Obserwator Finansowy features views and analysis of economy in Poland and other countries, written by some of the best journalists, economists and analysts. Our mission is to share knowledge of economics and financial markets in the world.
Obserwator Finansowy is a project under aegis of the Poland’s central bank, Narodowy Bank Polski. We have published thousands of articles about the Polish and global economy. Our journalists have conducted hundreds of interviews with Nobel laureates, distinguished economists, business leaders and politicians with views across the political spectrum.
In this section you can find selected articles in English.

Banks are not playing too safe when granting credits
In a sample of over 700 firms analyzed in July and August 2020, refusal to grant a loan was very rare and only affected few per cent of respondents. In particular, incidences of refusal to finance a good investment project...

Growth of eCommerce in Poland and new challenges
The structure of the retail market in Poland has changed significantly in the wake of the changing preferences of customers. It has become markedly concentrated. The eCommerce market has thrived. The COVID-19 pandemic is set...

Ukraine dreams about flying
After years of limited interest, there has been a spike in foreign orders for freight transport services using the world’s largest cargo aircraft, Antonov An-225 Mriya. As a result, Ukraine has started seriously thinking...

The winners and losers of the coronavirus crisis
The production of integrated circuits, software and pharmaceuticals is among the sectors whose financial market valuations are currently the highest. Meanwhile, the market valuations of banks, financial firms, and the energy...

Recalibration of Russia’s corporate landscape
Russia’s major corporations have been reporting decimated profits due to the COVID-19. Companies in the natural resources sector, the cornerstone of the country’s economy, have gone through difficult times. On the other...

LNG is becoming increasingly important for Poland and Europe
Across the world there has been a significant increase in demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG). The infrastructure for LNG exports and imports is being expanded. The new possibilities for gas imports are particularly...

Poland’s housing market rises, as do bubble fears
Poland has seen the second highest increases in residential property prices in the EU in 2020. Despite the fact that prices slowed due to the coronavirus, the average price of apartments on the secondary market in the Q2...

CSE Private Equity continues upward path
According to the report, “Central and Eastern Europe PE Statistics 2019,” total PE and VC investment in the Central and Southeast Europe (CSE) region reached its second highest annual result to date in value terms at...

A V-shaped recovery is possible, at least for the time being
“Companies surveyed about this issue suggest that in its first stage the rebound could even be V-shaped, as we don’t see any damage to the supply side of the economy” – says Piotr Boguszewski, PhD, who is responsible...

Larger homes, smaller offices – the real estate after the pandemic
“The coronavirus will boost demand for larger apartments, as some people will work remotely,” says Jacek Łaszek, PhD. He has no doubt that the pandemic will change the commercial real estate, and rents for office space...