The steel industry is now feeling the first effects of what is proving to be a remarkable visit by Vladimir Putin to this country last month.
The Russian president said during his visit that he wanted to see trade ties increased between the two countries. The first talks to kick off were on the steel sector and involved the ministry of economy as well as the Russian Embassy.
The surprising outcome of this has been that the Russians have said that they want to increase imports of steel from Poland. The potential size of these exports has not yet been revealed.
In the first three quarters of last year Polish producers placed 4,900 tons of steel, worth USD3.6m on the Russian market. The flow of steel in the opposite direction was nearly 91,890 tons worth USD24.2m.
One plant with a lot to gain from opening up the Russian market is Huta Częstochowa which supplies sheeting for the shipbuilding industry. This is all the more important as the steel mill has been threatened with anti dumping sanctions by the EU.