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NEWSLETTER September 24th, 2009, Number 141 | ||||||||||||
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TABLE OF CONTENTS NEWS
INVESTMENTS IN POLAND
FROM THE REGIONS
DID YOU KNOW...?
FROM THE EDITOR Dear Readers, The Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency inaugurated the start of the Programme - Economic Promotion of Eastern Poland. Last week saw also the inauguration of several new foreign investment projects - in Gdańsk, Aleksandrów Łódzki and in Piechcin. Two of them are realised by Procter&Gamble and Lafarge, in the realisation of which PAIiIZ helped from the very beginning of the investment process. Moreover, we invite to take part in two upcoming PAIiIZ conferences devoted to EU structural funds for regional development and OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Pleasant reading! PAIiIZ’s editorial team NEWS Inauguration of the Eastern Poland Economic Promotion Programme The inauguration took place on September 23rd, 2009. The Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency became a beneficiary of the programme and will now in close co-operation with local self-governments realise the project.
The inauguration ceremony was chaired by Mr Sławomir Majman, PAIiIZ President and Ms Bożena Czaja, Member of the PAIiIZ Management Board. The ceremony was attended by, among others, Ms Elżbieta Bieńkowska - Minister of Regional Developemnt, Krzysztof Hetman - Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Regional Development who supervises the OP Development of Eastern Poland, Adam Szejnfeld - Secretary of State in the Ministry of Economy and Bożena Lublińska-Kasprzak - President of the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development.
- The programme aims at supporting interest in the economic offer of the five Polish regions situated in the East of Poland. Activities undertaken in the frame of the project will try to increase FDI inflow to the macroregion and also to enhance the interest of Polish companies in investments realised in this part of the country. The activities should hasten the pace of social and economic development. Last year the Minister of Regional Development entrusted the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency with the performance of the measure 1.4 of the OP Development of Eastern Poland. In July 2009 PAIiIZ could sign a financing agreement to the tune of PLN 86 mln. The Operational Programme Development of Eastern Poland (OP DEP) covers the five most disadvantaged regions in the EU (before the accession of Bulgaria and Rumania): Lubelskie, Podkarpackie, Podlaskie, Świętokrzyskie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie. The programe will simultaneously cover all regions of the macoregion and will in a coherent and thought-out way present the economic potential of the whole Extern part of Poland. The PAIiIZ Programme - Economic Promotion of Eastern Poland envisages providing support to the five regions through a wide range of activities e.g. organization of international advertisement campaigns including TV spots and press adverts, management of visits to international fairs and exhibitions, co-ordination of trade missions, study tours for foreign journalists, press conferences and economic debates. All the activities will be geared towards local entrepreneurs, local government representatives and institutions active in the five regions. The programme will be realised in the years 2009-2015. (PAIiIZ) PAIiIZ conference on OECD Guidelines  The Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency invites to a conference on OECD Guidelined for Multinational Enterprises 12 Bagatela Str. at 11 a.m. The conference is organised in co-operation with the British-Polish Chamber of Commerce and the Responsible Business Forum (FOB).
The National OECD Information Point wants to encourage companies active in Poland to implement OECD guidelines and to promote them in everyday business practices. Together with BPCC, CSRInfo and FOB the OECD Information Point team prepared a programme which includes a pilot self-assessment questionnaire in which a company will be able to self determine to what extend has it been meeting the standards set in OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The conference will serve as an opportunity to present the role of the National OECD Information Point and to review the OECD guidelines. Participants will have the chance to learn what recommendations result from OECD Guidelines for multinational companies active in Poland and what are the potential benefits from the application of the guidelines. There will also be a presentation of companies which filled out questionnaires concerning the standards of the guidelines. For more information contact Danuta Łożyńska at 0048 22 3349983, e - mail: danuta.lozynska@paiz.gov.pl (PAIiIZ) Conference "Structural Funds for investment - A chance for development of regions" Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency and Ministry of Regional Development are kindly inviting to participate in a conference related to possibilities of co-financing of investment from European Funds. The conference will be held in the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency’s Information Centre, 12 Bagatela Street in Warsaw between 11:00 and 14:30.
The conference will be dedicated to possibilities of support from the countrywide and regional Operational Programmes. The panel will include representatives from selected Implementing Institutions. During the conference, participants will be given the latest version of the European Funds for Entrepreneurs Guidebook. The meeting will be translated into English. If you are interested in participating please call 022 334 99 34 or e-mail us at: info-punkt@paiz.gov.pl . Go to top... 
Trade missions to China The Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP) and the Poznań International Fair (MTP) invite to take part in trade missions to China which are to form part of the economic schedule of the Polish Shanghai Expo 2010 participation. The missions will take place in October, November and December his year.
The organisation of trade missions for Polish companies forms part of the long-term promotional activities realised by Poland. The aim of the initiatives is to create a recognizable brand “Poland” which would enjoy confidence and guarantee the highest quality. The image should help Polish companies in the establishment of successful co-operation with Chinese entrepreneurs. The first mission is geared towards companies active in the field of renewable energy and will take place between October 18-24, 2009. The aim of the mission is not only to promote Polish technologies and solutions but also to give the Polish entrepreneurs an opportunity to present their business profile during matchmaking sessions with Chinese businesspersons. All eager to take part in the missions may sent in their applications by September 25th. Further trade missions to China in 2009:
The Poznań International Fair (MTP) offer a comprehensive mission-related service which includes booking of plane and train tickets, hotel reservations, conference halls, interpreters, meeting agenda preparation and organisation of matchmaking session. For more information contact Anna Myślak at +48 61 869 20 95, e-mail: anna.myslak@mtp.pl (PARP)
Contest: Souvenir from Poland To celebrate its 60th anniversary the CEPELIA Polish Art and Handicraft Foundation invites everybody to take part in a competition Souvenir from Poland.
The aim of the competition is to obtain new, original souvenirs that would promote Poland. We want the participants to combine creatively traditional elements and patterns of Polish culture with modern design. The contest falls into two categories: Tradition and Inspiration. Traditional and creative interpretations of folk art and handicraft may enter the contest. Participation is free of charge. The most interesting souvenirs will be shown at an exhibition in the National Ethnographic Museum in Warsaw in November 2009 and in a special catalogue. While assessing the souvenirs the jury will concentrate on originality, aesthetics and marketing potential for the promotion of Poland and Polish culture. The contest enjoys the patronage of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage Bogdan Zdrojewski. The deadline for applications is October 31st. 1st prize accounts for PLN 15,000. For more information visit: INVESTMENTS IN POLAND New investments by Lafarge and Procter & Gamble Last week saw two new production facilities opened by companies with foreign capital - Lafarge Cement and Procter&Gamble. PAIiIZ helped in the realisation of both projects. Thanks to the effective co-operation between regional authorities and the Agency, investors managed to realise the investments.
An official foundation stone-laying ceremony took place in Cementownia Kujawy (Kujawy Cement Mill) owned by Lafarge Cement on September 15th. The mill is situated within the Pomerania Special Economic Zone. The ceremony was attended by: Rafał Bruski, Kujawy-Pomorze Voivode; Piotr Całbecki, Marshall of the Kujawy-Pomorze region; Barcina Michał Pęziak, mayor; Zbigniew Jaszczuk, starost; representatives of the zone’s management and delegates from the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency. Lafarge Group was represented by Guillaume Roux, Lafarge deputy president, Nicolas Fourier, head for the Central and Eastern Europe and Luc Callebat, president of the management board. The ceremony celebrated completion of the first stage of the investment works which were conducted in both Cementownia Kujawy and Cementownia Małogoszcz. The last two years saw EUR 84 mln invested in the two cement mills. Lafarge is a leader on the Polish construction market and produces cement, concrete and plaster. In Poland the company has been hiring 1,700 people and since mid-90s continues among Poland’s major foreign investors. The official opening ceremony of the new Procter & Gamble production facility took place on September 23rd and was attended by PAIiIZ President- Mr Sławomir Majman. The new facility is the biggest Procter&Gamble factory in Europe and the company’s third investment realised in Poland. The investor’s first plant was opened in Warsaw district of Targówek in 1994. 2006 saw another facility opened by the company, this time in Łódź. The company has 3,200 employees and the concern’s investment outlay in Poland reached USD 500 mln. The factory in Aleksandrów - Łódzki was worth USD 50 mln and gives employment to 300 workers. The Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency assisted the investing company on every stage of the investment process. Investment friendly conditions were created in co-operation with local authorities. (Lafarge, Procter&Gamble) OnetDataCentre - in the Kraków SEZ New server centre of the Onet Group situated within the Cracow Technology Park in Pychowice was inaugurated on September 14th.
The ribbon in front of the building was cut by Łukasz Wejchert, President of the Onet.pl Management Board and professor Jacek Majchrowski, president of the city of Cracow. The ceremony was also attended by representatives of the Cracow Technology Park. The server centre is one of the most modern ones in the world - due to this fact, Onet.pl will now be able to transfer video stream to 100 thousands, or even 200 thousands users. What is more, Onet.pl Group has obtained a permission for the another investment - to be located near the server centre. The company has plans to construct a building which will include an office and a TV studio of TVN station. It is worth reminding that Pychowice will host another investment realised by the Cracow Technology Park i.e. Małopolska Information Technology Park. (Cracow Technology Park) New Flügger factory in Gdańsk An opening ceremony of the new, technologically-advanced factory of the Flügger company took place in Gdańsk-Kokosze. The factory is situated in the close neighbourhood of the Industry Technology Park. Among the guests of the ceremony there were: Danish Ambassador to Poland and representatives of Gdańsk and Sopot local authorities.
The new plant comprises of a assembly line for wallpaper production, a central storage, a technical service and administration offices. Flügger’s investment is a part of the long-term strategy in which Poland is going to be the centre for the concern’s activities in Central and Eastern Europe.
The investment is supposed to supply existing markets in Northern Europe, Poland and in China, as well as new markets in Central and Eastern Europe and Asia. In December 2006 the concern got a promise to receive a grant from the European Union in the frame of the Programme Innovative Economy for PLN 23 mln. Production will start in the spring of 2010 in Gdańsk. The central storage has the capacity of 3200 crates will became a logistic centre for the whole Central and Eastern Europe. The administrative part of the facility will include a new education centre. The investment is expected to generate 175 workplaces. MACROECONOMIC POLAND
Source: www.nbp.pl FROM THE REGIONS Leader of Business in Lubuskie Results of the contest Leader of Business in Lubuskie 2009 were made public during an official gala which took place on September 11th at the Zielonagóra Philharmonic Hall. The contest was organised by Gazeta Lubuska and Zachodnia Izba Przemysłowo-Handlowa.
Companies which participated in the contest were divided into four groups i.e. micro (up to 9 employees), small (10-49 employees), medium (50-249 employees) and big-sized companies (over 250 employees). From among over 50 companies which finally were classified to take part in the contest, the best companies were granted certificates. The three best companies in each of the categories were granted certificates and statuettes „Business Leader of Lubuskie”. The Kostrzyn-Słubice Special Economic Zone classified on the second position in the group of small enterprises. The statuettes and certificates were handed over by: the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Piotr Styczeń, Voivod of the Lubuskie region Helena Hatka, Marshall of the region Marcin Jabłoński, head of Media Regionalne Grzegorz Widenka and head of the jury Jerzy Korolewicz. Deputy President of the SEZ Management Board Roman Dziduch received the statuette on behalf of the Kostrzyn-Słubice SEZ. (Kostrzyn-Słubice SEZ) International connection from the Zielona Góra-Babimost airport On September 7th the Zielona Góra-Babimost airport received the first plane from Dresden. The landing marks an official opening the airport’s first international connection.
During the inaugurating ceremony Mr Marcin Jabłoński, Marshal of the Lubuskie region said that the international air connection opens new perspectives for the whole region. The airport ranks among the region’s major economic advantages. The connection is an answer to the needs of both Poles and Germans. In fact, the Dresden-based airport was making efforts to establish the air-connection for the last few months. The connection will now effectively contribute to increase tourist traffic between the countries. Also the authorities of the city of Dresden welcomed the new arrangement. The region of Lubuskie, in turn, concerns the connection vital for its development due to its freshly initiated co-operation with Saxony. In Dresden the airplane was welcomed by an actor dressed up as Augustus II the Strong, a king who governed both Poland and Saxony. Ryszard Dobrowolski, director of the Zielona Góra-Babimost Airport is an optimist about the port’s future: - The new connection is a good beginning which will facilitate the opening of new international connections in the future - claims the director and adds that in order to achieve the goal an extension of the port will certainly be needed. (Lubuskie Marshal Office) Suwałki zone expects new investments The Suwałki SEZ put its first real estate out to tender in the Białystok sub-zone. The properties were purchased by Masterpress.
The company specialises in the production of packages with the usage of flexograpohic and offset print. The company bought real estate measuring 2,0634 ha, situated on two investment lots. The properties were sold at the opening bid price - jointly PLN 6, 210 thousand. Near future should see negotiations concerning the conditions and outlays declared by the investor that, in turn, should result in a business activity permission allowing the company to operate within the SEZ. The zone's management hopes that the joint efforts made by the city’s authorities and the zone will contribute to further development of the Białystok-based sub zone. The Suwałki SEZ managed to attract new investors to the Suwałki and Ełk sub zones. Where tender procedures have currently been prepared. (Suwalska SSE) DID YOU KNOW...? Young Polish scientist awarded Two Polish students - Aleksander Kubica and Wiktor Pilewski - obtained one of the three first awards in the 21st EU Contest for Young Scientists 2009. Winners are granted EUR 7 000 and tanhe invitation for this year Nobel Prize Award Ceremony in Stockholm.
Results of the contest were announced in Paris during the official event finishing the competition. The contest which is run every year aims at encouraging young people to research studies and to choose a career of a scientist. Apart from European works, there are also presented those from China, Georgia, Japan, Canada, North Korea, the USA and New Zealand. Works are assessed by multi-national jury. The contest includes exact sciences, biological science and technique, and starting from 2004 also social and economic sciences. Each country is allowed to propose three projects. Projects must not have more than tree authors. Tutor of Polish laureates, professor Jan Madej from the Warsaw University underlined that from the scientist’s point of view, a lot of valuable projects were qualified for the competition. They met the quality standards which are not only for MA thesis but also these for Doctoral thesis. Aleksander Kubica is a student of the Inter-faculty Individual Mathematic-Natural Studies at the Warsaw University and Wiktor Pilewski is the second year student of the Faculty of the Electrical Engineering at Poznań University of Technology. They have studied secondary focuses of Fresnel’s spiral tile - transparent tiles with spiral lines which may focus light in several points laying in the one line. These flat “lens” can be printed on transparent foil by the means of the high resolution laser printer. (PAP) 
Editorial office: Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency, 00-585 Warsaw, Bagatela Street 12 Economic Promotion Department, tel: (+48 22) 334 98 15, fax: (+48 22) 334 99 99, e-mail: redakcja@paiz.gov.pl | ||||||||||||
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