The most important news from February 19 until February 25 of the year 2005

PAIiIZ COMPLETED 24 PROJECTS WORTH PLN 3 BILLION
In 2004 Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency completed 24 projects, worth almost PLN 3 billion with significant importance for the Polish economy. Thanks to these investments 7,000 new jobs will be created.
The list of foreign investors includes: Whirpool (USA), Gillette (USA), Merloni (Italy), Bosh-Siemens (Germany), Fuji Seiko (Japan), Firestone (Japan), LG International (Korea), Faurecia (France), Daicel (Japan).
Companies were mostly interested in sectors such as: automotive, white-goods, food, medical, construction and construction of machines. Most of the projects were located in Dolnośląskie, Łódzkie, Śląskie and Zachodniopomorskie voivodships.
Currently PAIiIZ is conducting 93 projects. If the decision of the investors were positive, than this would envisage the inflow of almost EUR 4 billion to Poland. 36,000 new jobs will be created. Most of the projects concern the sectors: automotive, steel and electronics.
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ELECTROLUX TO BUILD TWO PLANTS IN POLAND
Swedish Electrolux, the white goods leader, plans to construct two plants in Lower Silesia in Wałbrzych Special Economic Zone.
The investment amounting to PLN 130 million (USD 42.5 million) will allow to create around 850 new jobs.
Early this spring Electrolux is going to start constructing the washing-machines plant in Oława. The total value of investment will amount to PLN 40 million.
Second investment - the dishwasher plant in Żarów will employ at least 350 workers.
Source: Parkiet - Gazeta Giełdy


CZECH CEZ INTERESTED IN POLISH POWER PLANTS
The largest Czech energy company – CEZ - plans to invest in the Polish energy sector. The management CEZ has so far sent a letter expressing its interest in the privatization of Patnów-Adamów-Konin power block.
CEZ will compete with Swedish Vattenfall and German RWE for the investment.
Source: Rzeczpospolita


VALEO TO LAUNCH NEW PLANT
The French Valeo company, automotive elements manufacturer, has constructed its new production plant in the southern Poland in Chrzanów (Małopolskie voivodship). The cost of the factory, of car lamps, will amount to EUR 50 million and create up to 600 new jobs.
"Major clients of Valeo include Toyota and Volkswagen," told Robert Gałązka, General Director of Valeo Autosystems.
Source: PAP


POLAND CONQUERS JAPANESE MARKET
In 2004 Poland maintained the fourth position in exports of goose fluff to Japan, which considered as the most competitive market in the world. Polish companies exported 200 tons of the product with the average price of 54 USD per kilogram, while the size of the market is estimated at 5,000 tons annually.
The largest goose fluff producers for the Japanese market are still China, Taiwan and Hungary.
Source: Rzeczpospolita


KOSZALIN INDUSTRIAL PARK ATTRACTS FOREIGN INVESTORS
“Five or six foreign companies are planning to invest in the Koszalin Industrial Park. The projects should be commenced in 2007,” said Piotr Kroll, Koszalin Deputy President for Development.
Kroll recalled that a Chinese bicycle manufacturer showed an interest in investing in the zone followed by two other companies from China.
Kroll also added that advantages of Koszalin Industrial Park are low operational costs namely: transport, running water and energy, as well as tax exemptions and the right to apply for assistance of the Industrial Development Agency (ARP).
Source: PAP


POLISH VODKA CONQUERS THE WORLD
Polish vodkas won the top prizes in the ranking of “New York Times”. The journalists were testing the top-shelf vodkas, which have recently appeared on the American market.
Polish vodkas have really impressed the assessing commission.
While testing Wyborowa Poland Single Estate Rye the commission noticed: “elegant and intrigue, with delicate taste, well presented". Wyborowa Vodka was granted three stars. Belvedere Poland was described as being "smooth, pure and well designed" (three stars).
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