PAIiIZ president, Sławomir Majman, in his opening speech, has pointed out that the knowledge of financial aid tools is a key issue for Polish entrepreneurs. “Instruments of financial support are the same for both - Polish and foreign investors”, reminded Majman. Thanks to the improvement of the grant system, in new financial perspective even multimillion subsidies will be distributed faster, explained undersecretary in the Ministry of Economy Ilona Antoniszyn-Klik. Furthermore, the Ministry plans to appoint nationwide system of warranties for exporters to support Polish entrepreneurs.

Speakers during the conference on support instruments for Polish business

Conference participants agreed that under the new EU financial perspective, development of innovative solutions and technologies is a strategic goal. Ministry of Economy is planning to support the creation of in-house R&D structures in companies, as well to promote products based on new technologies - from the design level to its implementation.

During the panel discussion Leszek Grabarczyk from National Centre for Research and Development talked about the plans of the introduction of grant project called “Szybka ścieżka” (the "Fast Path"), which would guarantee the maximum 60 days for obtaining grant decision. Marcin Łata, from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development added that “soft means” of public support as advisory, training will be offered to the business.

Majman: “Instruments of financial support are the same for both - Polish and foreign investors”

Representatives of the government and entrepreneurs agreed that state intervention should focus on the risk’s reduction of conducting business. In addition, entrepreneurs appreciated public support in their global expansion.

More information: www.paiz.gov.pl/20140203/simplification_of_financial_support_for_business. (PAIiIZ)

Currently, PAIiIZ runs 164 investment projects worth €3.23 billion, which in the future can create 30,819 new jobs.

The majority of FDI investments supported by the Agency come form the US (47 investment projects worth €956.05m). These projects may result in the future creation of 7,231 new jobs. Germany, with 28 investment projects worth €582.85m and ability to create 6,527 new jobs, are the second on the list. Both leaders are followed by investments from the UK and Japan (11 projects each) and from China and South Korea (9 projects each).

BPO is the most popular sector among foreign investors (37 project, worth over €28m, 8,060 new jobs). It is followed by automotive (36 projects) and R&D sectors (14 projects). (PAIiIZ)

Polimarky will spend PLN 8.4m for launching the production of modified plastic granules. Implementation of the new project will be combined with the employment of at least 12 new members of staff.

META-ZEL Sp. z o.o. will launch project worth PLN 16m. The company plans to implement patented technology of aluminium microstructure and geometric surface forming for automotive sector. META-ZEL Sp. z o.o will create at least 10 new job. (ARR)

The aim of the conference is to present how businesses can benefit from funds under the Financial Framework 2014-2020.

The conference will be held in Polish. Polish-English translation will be available. Participation is free.

Registration is available on: www.paiz.gov.pl/perspektywa_finansowa until 12:00 on 7 February.(PAIiIZ)

Speakers will try to answer the question of what are the differences between Poland and other Western European countries in terms of investments. The meeting will focused on real estate sector in Poland, including legal and taxation issues.

Investors, representatives of legal and advisory business will attend the event.

Registration by online application: www.paiz.gov.pl/investing_in_Poland until 10 February, at 4 pm. (PAIiIZ)

The event will raise issues related to the plans of creating the Polish Aviation Holding, development of the idea of air transport as the most dynamic sector of the economy. The meeting also focused plans of building, modernising and equipping airports as well as airport infrastructure and related infrastructure in Poland.

Paweł Klisiewicz - Fotolia.com

Minister of infrastructure and development, deputy prime minister of economy and PAIiIZ took the patronage over the event. The conference is organised by the Warsaw Exhibition Board and the Altair Aviation Agency.

For more information, contact:

• Marek Witecki tel: +48 849 60 06 ext. 109, +48 609-541-112 , e-mail: lotnisko@ztw.pl and
• Isabella Doroba tel: +48 849 60 06 ext. 116 , +48 604-960-183, e-mail: ztw@ztw.pl

More information: www.lotnisko.ztw.pl. (ZTW)

The GDP growth was mainly driven by the positive impact of net exports as well as the domestic demand and consumption. Also services sector was defined as the driver of the economic growth in 2013. The value added increased by 2.9% in industry sector.

© Argus-Fotolia.com

The GDP in the fourth quarter of 2013 has been estimated by GUS at the level of 2.8%, regarding the average annual prices.

GUS estimations confirm the earlier preliminary data and show that the Polish economy in the last quarter of 2013 grew the fastest since the QI 2012. Consumption increased by 2.1% and investments rose by 1.3%. Moreover, the entire domestic demand increased by 1.1%. (GUS / Ministry of Economy)

The Indian market with huge potential, including the increasing demand of the population caused by the growing affluence of consumers, can become a “lever of success” for Polish companies as they can benefit form economy of scale. According to the experts form the ThinkTank Polska and the Centre for International Relations, looking for investment opportunities abroad by Indian companies is the latest trend of the country’s economy. Poland and the whole Central Eastern Europe are an attractive alternative for India in terms of providing business relations in the West. Especially Poland, the biggest country in the region and an influential member of the EU can become a business base for Indian companies willing to do business in Western Europe and Russia. In the report, the leader of CEE has been described as a place of create service hubs, especially in the ICT and BPO sectors. Speaking of BPO, this industry, with the world’ leading position of India, is considered as a future pillar of Polish - Indian partner
ship. Such companies representing IT and BPO sectors, as VSNL Teleglobe International Holdings, KPIT Cummins, Zensar Technologies, Genpact, HCL Technologies, Infosys, Wipro, Irena, Intelenet Global Services, CSS, have already been present in Polish market.

Considering the needs of Indian business and Polish export capacities, there is also a good background for bilateral cooperation in such sectors as: health care (medical and hospital equipment), food processing, chemiscal (specialised chemicals, paints components ) and defence (Think Tank).

According to the survey, in recent years, the industry that is mostly focused on foreign markets, recorded the largest increases in productivity. The potential of Polish industry can be seen primarily on a large and very demanding German market. One of the most significant feature of the Polish exports is that it concentrates on supply - due to the relatively lower average costs of sale even by 20% than in the whole UE. For instance, the share of exports of Polish automotive sector - the most competitive industry of the country’s economy - reaches 77%. This Polish sector effectively displaces the production of developed European economies, says the authors of the report. The list of Polish leaders of competitiveness also includes metal products, electrical equipment, textiles and furniture industries. Among the slackers there are leather energy, water and printing industries.

Promising situation of Polish industry does not exclude threats in the future. Besides of constant cost control - especially maintaining low-level labour cost - there is much to do in terms of barriers in conducting business, such as high energy cost and gap of education programmes. The analysis of the competitiveness of Polish companies leads to the following conclusions: in terms of the impact of industry on the country’s economy Poland is at the level of Germany and above many EU states. In comparison to UE Polish industry is considered as very competitive. The country’s competitive advantages do not depend only on low wages and a weaker exchange rate, but results primarily from an increase in productivity and quality. (DNB Polska)

UTLS and Atos cooperation is a good example of university-business relations in terms of the promotion and development of education system. Atos is actively participating in academic environment by establishing contacts with potential employees as well as by its contribution to teaching programme. Due to that, the company may expect that the potential employees are better educated and adopted to the expectations of the business.

The newest faculty is dedicated to all people who see their future in the IT industry. The recruitment is opened for both - experienced specialists and to people with a potential in self-development in modern technologies area.

Atos is an international company providing services in ITC sector. It hires more than 77,000 employees in 52 countries. In Poland Atos has been present since 2000.

Applications for postgraduate studies should be submitted by the end of February 2014 at the UTLS Recruitment and Information Point. The faculty is provided in Polish language. (BARR)

According to Suwałki SEZ representatives, last year was very successful for the zone. In 2013 SSEZ increased its area by 32,9ha. Moreover, all investors had invested PLN 251.8m there. Currently, 74 companies operate there and employ 6,278 people. (SSSE)

The mission is part of the "Invest in Pomerania II - Promotion of investment attractiveness of the region of Pomerania in the Nordic countries and Germany” project.

The mission’s programme includes participation in the Hannover Messe 2014, B2B meetings with local companies from the Renewable Energy Sources sector, study visits to local companies, specialised science and technology parks as well as R&D centres. The application closes on 26 February. PAIiIZ took the patronage over the project.

More information: www.sse.slupsk.pl/index.php/pl/o-strefie/projekty-ue/skandynawia-ii/571-nabor-na-misje-gospodarcza-przedsiebiorcow-z-sektora-oze-do-niemiec-w-terminie-8-11-kwietnia-2014-r. (PARR)

Art_Inkubator is an institution supporting companies, organizations and artists on their way to enter the market. It’s a start-up platform for business and artistic ideas. Art_Inkubator’s headquarters consists of three buildings containing offices, galleries, workshops as well as conference and exhibition halls.

Art_Incubator headquarters (author: Marcin Pajchert)

Thanks to the new, revitalized facilities, the Art_Inkubator will strengthen the social and cultural development projects in Łódź and its area. It also a chance to promote innovative business, create new jobs and prepare many cultural projects and cultural tourism offer.

More information: www.artinkubator.com