ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an analysis of the events that have occurred in Eastern Europe during the last ten years with a particular emphasis upon the maritime sector and its role within the framework of the Polish economy. The old system would be impossible to assess the role of any sector in aiding development processes within an economy, without first assessing the position before changes of the nature. Ownership is vests almost entirely in the hands of the state in all economic sectors across the region. The absence of competition, each enterprise operated effectively in a semi-monopoly status competing only on international cross trading routes with operators from elsewhere in the world. The creation of a liberalised maritime industry may, lead to its own downfall with consequent benefits for international transport users of other modes, based in other countries or using other ports. In banking terms no true mechanism existed for borrowing money either within Poland or on the international market.
