With much of Europe still struggling to recover from the impact of the 2008 financial crisis, Poland stands out as an unlikely island of economic success, a place where companies and individuals plan for growth rather than decline.

This year is likely to mark a turning point for the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the European Union, with total employment expected to increase by 0.3 percent and value-added by 1 percent as compared to 2012. Preliminary forecasts expect the positive developments further accelerating in 2014. After five years of an uncertain economic environment, 2013 is expected to be the first year since 2008 with a combined increase in aggregated employment and value-added of the EU's SMEs.

Siim Kallas, vice president of the European Commission, has outlined some changes to customs formalities in ports, in an effort to help shift EU transit cargo from congested highways to under-utilised short-sea shipping lanes.