Kulczyk tops the ranking of richest Poles

In spite of anxiety about the global credit crunch, Poland's wealthiest businessmen by and large increased their wealth in 2011. Kulczyk himself has seen his fortune rise by 20.3 percent over the last 12 months, in spite of suspending his oil operations in war-torn Syria, having already invested millions in the country.

In November 2011, Kulczyk finalised a deal ensuring him a major stake in a Nigerian oil concession, investing 800 million zloty (181.2 million euro) in the venture. His current fortune is estimated at 8.9 billion zloty (2.1 billion euro).

Second placed Zygmunt Solorz-Zak, the media and telecommunications mogul, has increased his wealth by 18 percent, maintaining his ranking for the second year in a row. Forbes rate his fortune at 8.5 billion zloty (2 billion euro).

The only new figure in Forbes' top ten this year is industrialist Boguslaw Cupial, whose fortune has risen by 26.9 percent, taking him from 11th to 9th in the rankings.

Once again, only one woman features in the top ten, Anna Woźniak-Starak, who is listed jointly with her husband Jerzy Starak, maintaining 5th place once again. (nh)

The full rankings, taking in 100 figures, can be found in Polish at the following link: 100najbogatszychpolakow.forbes.pl (Polish only).