The development of small business in Poland began only after the change of the economic
system. Small business in the initial stage o f the transformation successfully contributed to
diminishing unemployment, and consequently lessened the negative effects of the liquidation
and restructuring of state-owned companies, particularly in the areas that could not attract
investment for their lack of appropriate infrastructure. After Poland joins the EU, small and
medium-sized companies will also have a fundamental role in maintaining the high pace of
economic growth. To fulfil that role, however, small and medium-sized business companies will
need appropriate national policies.
The ways of supporting small and medium-sized business have not been effective so far.
The policies on this sector have been asynchronous if at all visible, while the measures have
had only short-term effects. Consequently, the necessity arises to restructure the approach toward
supporting small and medium-sized business so that the funds invested in that sector
are not wasted.
In the article an attempt has been made to formulate fundamental criteria that should
constitute the basis for supporting small and medium-sized business