Dear Readers!

This week we inform about the results of the fruitful six-month PAIiIZ’s performance in 2008 and present the winning logo which is to represent Poland at the Shanghai EXPO 2010. Moreover, you will find information on a new website deigned for Polish and foreign investors which has recently been launched by the Ministry of Economy. Besides two articles about the first Nifco plant in Poland and on new investors who are about to enter the Łódź Special Economic Zone. At the end of this week’s edition we write about the Baltic Centre for Biotechnology and Innovative Diagnostics to be created in the Pomerania region and new development perspectives of the IBM Software Development Laboratory in Cracow.

Pleasant reading!

PAIiIZ’s editorial team

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NEWS

PAIiIZ closes the first half of 2008 with 31 finalised projects. 7.5 thousand new workplaces are to be created as a result of the investment programmes. By the end of June 2007 the number of projects managed by the Agency equalled 31, yet the value of the projects accounted for 746 milion EUR.

It is the BPO sector that attracted the greatest number of new investments (13). Among the BPO sector companies that opted for Poland there were, among others, an American First Data Corporation, Portuguese Vantyx and Indian Zansar Technologies. Other projects related to, above all, the automotive, electric power and chemical industry. The biggest number of projects i.e. 6, was carried out in co-operation with American companies. From among European concerns the majority came form Germany (4), Britain, France and Sweden (2 per country). It is also worth noting that 11 out of the 31 realised projects involved companies form Asia.

Paweł Wojciechowski, the PAIiIZ President, is of the opinion that the last six months were exceptional. “It is both due to the Agency’s efforts and the investment-friendly climate that can be observed in Poland that PAIiIZ performs so successfully. Poland continues to classify high among investors as an investment destination. Nevertheless, I fear that in the context of the situation in the world markets and the strong Polish złoty, the second half of 2008 may not result equally fruitful”, the PAIiIZ President admits.

30% of the upcoming projects is to be realised in the Special Economic Zones. The highest number of new projects is to be located in the Dolnosląskie voivodship (7) and in the Mazowsze and Pomorskie voivodships (4 per region).

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12 projects took part in the contest. All of them were consulted with two experts of Chinese origin, currently academic teachers at the Warsaw University, who assessed the projects in terms of the design’s clarity and intelligibility to the Chinese viewer. From among other criteria that were taken into account in the process of the logo selection artistic value, the clarity of the project’s message and the overall integrity with the Polish pavilion project played a vital role.

The winning logo has got a simple form. The shape immediately brings to mind a high-rise edifice, a building that alludes to modernity and a robust growth. At the same time, however, the eye-catching traditional cut-out pattern of the design constitutes a fairly direct reference to the values of past traditions. What is worth emphasising is the fact that the logo does maintain and even stresses the aesthetic integrity with the project of the Polish pavilion for EXPO 2010.

Logo to promote Polish participation in the Shanghai EXPO 2010

Every element of the overall pattern used in the logo has its meaning and evokes connotations which simultaneously refer to Poland and are understandable to the Chinese viewer. First of all, the motif of human figures aims at evoking the motto of the Polish approach to the 2010 EXPO theme i.e. “People create city”. The treble cleft stands for the rich Polish music traditions especially in the context of Fryderyk Chopin’s artistic work. A pen’s nib, which can also be found among major elements, reminds of the Polish literary achievements and the Poles’ academic oeuvre attained throughout centuries of the Polish universities’ academic activity. An eagle, the Polish national emblem, turns out to attract positive associations due to the fact that an eagle symbolises prosperity and effective management in Chinese mythology. What is important, not only do the used symbols bear reference to emblems easily understood by Chinese nationals but have an equally important meaning in both traditions. Interestingly, even the red colour results to be the luckiest colour in the Chinese folklore and stands for joy, happiness, prosperity, fame and wealth.

The visual system representing the Polish presence at EXPO 2010 consists, apart from the logo, also in business cards, headed paper, invitations, envelopes, files, leaflets, posters, informative door plates for the Commissioner General of the Polish Section of EXPO 2010 as well as elements essential for the adjustment of the Polish EXPO 2010 website’s graphics (http://www.expo2010.com.pl).

From now on all informative and promotional materials used in the frame of Polish EXPO 2010 preparations and the exhibition as such will be embellished with the new logo and will comply with the new visual system.

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The website is thought to function as a virtual data base providing useful information to all interested in developing business activity abroad and to foreign companies considering investing in Poland. The structure consists in the main portal and 45 integrated sub-websites of the Trade and Investment Sections operating at Polish Embassies and Consulates. This year the Ministry of Economy has plans to continue developing the website and to introduce two new sub-sites concerning centres operating in St. Petersburg and Shanghai.

Thanks to the information available at the website all the data concerning the current situation in Poland as well as essential facts regarding Polish culture, language, political system and life conditions are easily accessible to foreigners. Information connected to the business activity regulations, rules linked to export and import related activities and investment incentives available in Poland should prove particularly useful.

Moreover, Polish companies with export potential should find the complex information provided on the website equally handy. In the market guide section (przewodnik po rynku) prospective exporters will find advice on doing business abroad as well as principles helping in establishing commercial contacts with foreign partners.

The website will also provide news on the events involving the Ministry of Economy and supply up-to-date information on meeting with foreign chambers of comers  as well as publish accounts of  various commercial consultations.

We invite you to visit the website at : www.trade.gov.pl

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INVESTMENTS IN POLAND

Planting a symbolic cherry tree

A symbolic cherry tree was planted at the opening ceremony of the factory. “We want to be the best plant not only in Poland but in the whole of Europe. We are determined to hire the best engineers and production workers. I am convinced that with an effective staff we stand a very good chance to achieve the goal.”, said Eiji Suzuishi, President of Nifco Poland.

The Świdnica plant, located in the Wałbrzych SEZ “Invest Park”, is to manufacture rivets, rings, plastic clamps, elements for fuel systems and many other components for the automotive industry.

The total number of products manufactured at the plant reaches 28 million items a year what yields sales revenue accounting for 14 million PLN. “General Motors, Volkswagen and Toyota operate actively in Poland. These companies constitute an important part of our clientele and that is why we decided to invest in Poland.

Production of components for the automotive industry

We opted for Świdnica because it is here that we were provided with the best offer which gives prospects for development. Moreover, one of our biggest clients i.e. Toyota operates in the neighbourhood. We always want to be close to our clients, that is why Świdnica was the best investment destination for us.”, President Suzuishi admits.

Construction of the Świdnik plant began in 2006, production started in 2007. At the moment construction of a second production premises has been in progress and its completion is scheduled for mid January 2009.

Due to the factory’s dynamic development in 2008 the staff of 65 people is to be enriched with 10 persons and the year 2009 may see further 40 new employees taken in.

The Świdnica investment has already cost the Polish partnership of the Japanese concern 16 million PLN and the new facility is estimated to require further spending of 15 million PLN.

Opening ceremony of the new Nifco plant

“Our products contribute to reduction in carbon emissions in cars and we also want our production process to be environment-friendly. We are a responsible employer so the work conditions and workers safety are of the utmost importance to us.”, said Nifco President. In fact, the plant in Świdnica is to be the major Nifco plant in Europe, built with the idea of supplying both European and Russian makers with car components.

Cutting the ribbon at the official opening

“The Nifco concern is the first company that decided to invest in Świdnica. I think that the Nifco investment may serve as an example and also as a stimulus for further Japanese companies to opt for Świdnica. I am very glad that Nifco has already started constructing its second plant. That is a very good news for the local community as the construction is inevitably connected with new workplaces.”, said Waldemar Skórski, Świdnica’s vice-President.

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• Export continues to rise

  The National Bank of Poland informs about a 31% increase in export value in April this year y-o-y. (NBP)

• Successful Polish furniture sector

  The Polsih Press Agency reports that Poland ranks 4th in world rankings of furniture exporters. According to The Polish Chamber of Commerce of Furniture Manufacturers (OIGPM), furniture export constitutes 6% of the whole Polish export and the scale of employment in furniture industry is estimated to reach 120 thousand people. OIGPM informs that only 6.5 thousand furniture enterprises in Poland classify as big companies and the majority in the sector is comprised of small, family businesses. 85% of Polish furniture is destined for the EU markets. The share of the furniture sector in the Polish GDP is estimated at 2%. (PAP)

• Exchange rates (as of 24.07.2008):

	Buy	Sell
USD	2.0493	2.0907
EUR	3.2244	3.2896

Source: www.nbp.pl

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FROM THE REGIONS

Due to the fact that the fixed agreement concerning the Sadkowo-based airport management by the Ministry of National Defence has recently expired, preparations aiming at taking over 20ha lot destined to an airport construction by the Radom city became possible. Now general plans for the airport should be drawn up. Although the city President is of the opinion that the lot, worth 5-6 million PLN, should be bought, there is a possibility that the land may only be leased to the council by the army. At the moment the partnership Port Lotniczy Radom has 22.5 million PLN at its disposal for the whole project. The City council does count on a foreign investor’s participation in the project and, in fact, companies from Canada, Israel and Ireland have already showed their interest in the initiative. (Tygodnik Radomski)

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„Gazeta Wyborcza” informs about new investments in the Łódź SEZ. New factories are to be constructed by companies already present in the SEZ - ABB and Amcor. ABB, an engine producer is to build a factory in Aleksandrów Łódzki and create 60 jobs. Amcor, in turn, is about to construct in Łódź and focus on production of plastic packages as well as paper and cardboard products. The new factory is going to be Amcor’s fourth investment in the Łódź region and the estimated cost of the undertaking accounts for 40 million EUR. A previous Amcor investment in Nowy Józefów has just entered the last phase of the construction process and is about to start producing packages for the PepsiCo group soon.

Moreover, three other companies received permissions to start business activity in Radomsko. One of them is Aquila Radomsko which intends to invest over 46 million PLN in a factory destined to production of corrugated board. Secondly, Padav Polska is about to invest 11 million PLN in building a plant and produce, among other things, wires and systems for washing-machines and fridges. According to “Gazeta Wyborcza” an estimated number of new workplaces to be created there hovers at over 100. The third company, Frigo Logistics, has plans to construct a cold store worth 40 million PLN for deeply frozen food products. Around 60 people may find employment in the cold store.

Also Zgierz and Ostrzeszów are about to acquire new workpolaces. Zgierz is to witness expansion of PPHU Jacek Sukiennik which will hire 150 persons and invest 86 million PLN. In Ostrzeszów Trasko, a company manufacturing steel structures for the construction industry, will create 75 new jobs. To the most interesting initiatives belongs the ATM undertaking consisting in creating an Innovation Centre in Warsaw where there is to be work mainly for engineers, an estimated number of 250 of them will be needed. According to “Gazeta Wyborcza” the company has been planning from the beginning to build a Centre for IT and telecommunication in Warsaw due to the possibilities offered within the sub-zone of the Łódź SEZ. (Gazeta Wyborcza)

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Poloplast has already got a factory in Myślenice. The new factility is about to taka up further 3ha of the Myślenice sub-zone. The factory’s construction coincides with the upcoming enlargement, by 11ha, of the sub-zone operating within the Katowice Special Economic Zone. Cooper Standard Automotive Polska was the first foreign investor to appear in the sub-zone.

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The New plant is estimated to provide employment for one hundred people. Its production premises will be located within the Tarnobrzeg SEZ Europark Wisłosan. The Soudal’s President of the Management Board emphasises that the location has not been chosen by accident. Pionki’s centric location, easy access to well-qualified cadre and good cooperation with the local authorities were of the utmost importance to the investor. Sealing compound and foam production is to start in 2009. The Pionki-based factory is Soudal’s 6th investment in Europe. (Forum Branżowe)

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For its Cracow-based centre IBM seeks, among other, software development managers, testers and software service consultants. “Generally we recruit new people form all Polish regions but mainly form the south of the country. One third of our staff consists of university graduates, above all, people from the AGH University of Science and Technology, the Jagiellonian University and the Silesian Technical University.”, Paweł Molenda, Polish Software Lab Manager told naukawpolsce.pl.

Mr Molenda added that an estimated increase in the Cracow lab employment potential would continue at 20% a year in the next few years. The Cracow-based Laboratory is the only one IBM technology lab in the CEE region. The centre co-operates with many tech labs all over the world, in Poland mainly with universities.

“The Polish IBM branch ranks very high in terms of development and expansion in the CEE region and the company includes Poland in the group of fast developing countries.”, said  Krzysztof Bulaszewski from IBM the Polish Press Agency. Mr Buklaszewski explained that Poland is in the group along with the Czech Republic, Malaysia, Singapore, the Republic of South Africa, Mexico and Venezuela. (PAP - Nauka w Polsce)

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DID YOU KNOW...?

The centre is scheduled to start operating in 2010. On July 8th an official act concerning the creation of the centre has been signed in Gdańsk by the voivodship management representatives and the authorities of the three biggest universities of the region i.e. Medical University of Gdańsk, the Gdańsk University of Technology and the University of Gdańsk.

Establishing this kind of a centre entails launching a R&D section which is to conduct research in the field of biotechnology and innovative diagnostics. Local authorities view the centre as a key initiative in the overall development plan for the whole region. The authorities are convinced that the undertaking will help the academic institutions open to industrial co-operation and trigger important research for key economic sectors.

Managers of the project plan to apply for additional 30 million EUR from the funds offered in the frame of the Operational Programme - Innovative Economy (IE OP). The Centre is planned to be constructed within the Gdańsk-based Science and Technology Park (PPNT). Not only several dozen scientists should find environment for carrying out research in the centre but also graduates of the Biotechnology Departments of the Gdańsk universities may hope for development possibilities in the facility. (PAP - Nauka w Polsce)

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