./.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONS/C/N/181
15 November 2001
(01-5802)
Council for Trade in Services Original:  English
NOTIFICATION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE III:3 OF THE
GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TRADE IN SERVICES
The following notification has been received from the delegation of Poland.
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1. Member notifying:
Poland
2. Notification under:
Article III, paragraph 3 of the General Agreement on Trade in Services
3. Date of entry into force:
1 January 2001
Duration:
Indefinite
4. Agency responsible for implementati on and enforcement of the measure:
Ministry of Economy
5. Description of the measures:
Measure
(i) mode of supply covered by the measure: commercial presence
(ii) effect on trade in services: liberalizing and non-discriminatory measure
(iii) impact of the measure on commitments in the Member’s schedule:
Business Activity Law dated on the 19th November 1999 specifies the principles for
undertaking and conducting business activities within the territory of the Republic of Poland
and the tasks of national and local government bodies with respect to business activities.S/C/N/181
Page 2
The citizens of foreign countries who hold the right of permanent residence in the
Republic of Poland make use of the same rights as Polish citizens in terms of undertaking
and conducting business activity in the Republic of Poland.
Foreign persons may undertake and conduct business activity in the Republic of Poland
according to the principle of reciprocity insofa r as the international agreements ratified by
Poland do not stipulate otherwise, just like an entrepreneur who maintains his/her
permanent residence or seat in Poland.
Faced with a lack of reciprocity foreign persons may establish only limited partnerships,
limited liability companies and joint stock companies in order to undertake and conduct
business activity in the Republic of Poland and they may join such companies and purchase
interest and shares of stock therein.
An entrepreneur may undertake business activity after obtaining an entry in the registry of
entrepreneurs.  A separate act specifies the pr inciples for making entries in the registry of
entrepreneurs.
An entrepreneur shall conduct business activity according to the principles of fair competition
and while respecting good practices and legitimate interests of consumers .
6. Members specifically affected, if any:
None
7. The texts are available from:
Official Journal of Laws of 1999 No. 101, item 1178.
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