In the centre of Rome, the elegant Art Nouveau interiors of Alberto Sordi gallery were the venue for Polish art and crafts.

Pink porcelain from Fabryka Porcelany AS Ćmielów

At the exhibition, Italians interested in contemporary art could look at porcelain, glass, jewellery and fashion accessories from Poland. Among the exhibits there were modern works of young Polish designers and true classics such as porcelain figurines from Ćmielów, that have been placed on the list of 20th Century Poland’s best icons of design.

Porcelain figure called Daphne form AS Ćmielów

Folk bags by Goshico

The Designed in Poland in Rome was visited by over 1,000 visitors a day. The event also attracted most renowned Italian media including top fashion magazines that described Polish projects as the essence of contemporary Polish culture and aesthetics.

The Astralon plates by Joanna Bylicka

Designed in Poland is a prestigious project promoting Polish art and design. The event has been organised outside Poland by PAIiIZ, since 2005. The event was prepared by PAIiIZ and the Department of Trade and Investment Promotion of the Polish Embassy in Rome. (PAIiIZ)

More information: www.paiz.gov.pl/20131202/fashion_and_design_icons_form_poland_amazed_italy

The investment opportunities of the EEU region, the most important sectors of its economy and the challenges faced by CEE countries were discussed by participants of the meeting. The event was addressed especially to companies from Italy that operate in Central and Eastern Europe or are interested in entering this market.
Apart from PAIiIZ, representatives of Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary investment agencies also took part in the seminar. (PAIiIZ)

During the two-day visit to Morocco, the PAIiIZ delegation visited several Moroccan ministries including those responsible for issues of industry, trade, investment and the digital economy, agriculture and fisheries, housing and urban policy.

The mission programme also consisted of Polish entrepreneurs taking part in two economic forums and B2B business talks in Rabat and Casablanca. These meeting were organised jointly by chambers of commerce, industry and services in those cities as well as by the National Chamber of Commerce and the Department of Trade and Investment Promotion in Casablanca.

More information: www.paiz.gov.pl/20131128/closer_to_morocco (PAIiIZ)

During the meeting, PAIiIZ deputy president Anna Polak-Kocińska presented the support system for foreign investors offered by Poland. She also stressed the role of the Agency in helping entrepreneurs from abroad to enter the Polish market.

PAIiIZ deputy president Anna Polak - Kocińska with representatives of Turkish business and local government

The cooperation agreement signed on 8 November between PAIiIZ and its Turkish counterpart - Investment Support and Promotion Agency, was also discussed. The programme of Turkish study tour also included a visit to the Łódź Special Economic Zone, where guests were provided with information about Central Poland ICT Cluster.

Presentation of Polish companies trade offer

Poland is the biggest Turkish trade partner in Central Europe.  By the end of 2013, the value of  bilateral trade will exceed $5 billion. More info: www.paiz.gov.pl/20131202/turkish_business_in_poland (PAIiIZ)

The Chinese guests were welcomed by PAIiIZ deputy president Anna Polak-Kocińska. PAIiIZ Board Advisor Maciej Górski, who moderated the meeting, presented the education system and the labour market in Poland.

City of Jinjang representatives in PAIiIZ

Nearly 27% of Polish companies have stated their desire to cooperate with Chinese partners, and 11% want to establish business relations with this country. To support them, PAIiIZ has introduced a Go China programme consisting of a wide range of activities including trade missions, conferences, expert support and the Go China portal that contains the most important guidelines and information about the country, its regions, people and the economy.

More information: www.paiz.gov.pl/20131128/jinjiang_explores_potential_of_poland  (PAIiIZ)

With the news that Amazon will set up three distribution centres in Poland, which will create 6,000 full-time and 9,000 seasonal jobs, the case for the country's growing significance on the logistics map of Europe becomes clear.

Warsaw discussion on trade and investment opportunities in Poland and England (source: BPCC)

Amazon's European director of operations, Tim Collins, spoke in very positive terms about Poland as a centre for logistics operations, citing the speed, effectiveness and can-do attitude of local authorities and investment support officials, the work ethic demonstrated by the Polish workforce, and the much-improved road network, which means that it is now quicker to service Berlin from Poznan than it is to do so from Amazon's distribution centres located in western Germany.

The similar meeting held in London (source: BPCC)

Its central location at the heart of the European continent gives Poland strong advantages in the competition to be the gravity point for logistics and distribution covering Central and Eastern Europe and further east.

More information: www.paiz.gov.pl/20131126/promoting_poland_as_a_logistics_hub (PAIiIZ/BPCC)

- There is a significant increase in the attractiveness of rural areas. There has been great progress during the last three years. I am convinced that the next three years will be also so spectacular for those communities. The time should allow the Polish countryside to catch up in terms of the attractiveness with the agglomerations, said Prof Hanna Godlewska-Majkowska of Warsaw School of Economics (SGH).

In most cases membership in the SEZs is highly connected to the investment attractiveness and  success of many cities in Poland. So called “engines of growth” - big cities, which belong to the SEZs, affect the investment development of each region. They create the best conditions to open a new business and also offer state aid, and lower personal income tax.

Speakers during presentation of the investment attractivenes of Polish provinces

The report also shows the rise in investment attractiveness of the Lubuskie and Podkarpackie provinces, associated with the success of restructuring, new infrastructure and development of the aviation sector.

The report was prepared for PAIiIZ by the Regional and Local Analisis Center under the supervision of Prof Hanna Godlewska-Majkowska of SGH.

More information: www.paiz.gov.pl/20131128/investment_attractiveness_of_polish_provinces_relese (PAIiIZ)

The company will invest more than PLN 30m and increase employment by at least 50 new employees. NSK specialises in steering columns and components manufacturing. (WSEZ Invest-Park)

Werner Kenkel is a manufacturer of corrugated board and packaging with flexographic and offset printing. The company plans to invest PLN 50m and create at least 35 new jobs.

Synta will invest PLN 6m in the zone and employ at least 20 new employees. The company intends to build a new plant, in which it will produce flooring systems based on the latest technology.

Supersnow will invest PLN 20m and create at lest 20 new jobs, will begin production of innovative snowmaking machines. (KSEZ)

The list of speakers includes minister of labour and social policy Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, PAIiIZ president Sławomir Majman and director of the Randstad Personnel Consultants & Services Agency Kajetan Słonina.

During the meeting, speakers will try to answer what are the expectations of employers for the first half of 2014. In addition, results of the latest survey on employees’ expectations, provided by Randtad and TNS will be presented.

Applications and media accreditation will be accepted by until 12.00 p.m. on 6 December. Please apply by e-mail to beata.jez@paiz.gov.pl. (PAIiIZ)

The seminar’s aim is to familiarise Polish business with the practical aspects of cooperation with a Chinese business partner, and with the most common problems faced by Polish entrepreneurs.

The conference is addressed to representatives of Polish companies, employees of regional investors’ centres and special economic zones and to the media.

Companies interested in participating in the event should register at www.paiz.gov.pl/ biznes_Chiny by 9 December by 12.00. For more information please contact: wojciech.piwowarski@paiz.gov.pl, tel.  22 334 98 50
Admission is free of charge. The conference is held in Polish.

More information: www.paiz.gov.pl/20131210/good_practices_in_china  (PAIiIZ)

The results of third Market R&D in Poland report will be presented at the conference. The report was prepared by Crido Taxand and PAIiIZ under the patronage of the National R&D Centre, NCBR.

To confirm your attendance please contact beata.jez@paiz.gov.pl by 12:00. on 9 December. (PAIiIZ/Crido)

The event aims is to promote cooperation between institutions and business in the food sector. Representatives of the state’s institutions and Polish companies interested in Korean food market are invited to the meeting.

For more information please call Marta Stępińska, tel. 22 520 64 72, e-mail: marta.stepinska@kotra.pl, and Maria Godlewska, tel. 22 520 62 44, e-mail: maria@kotra.pl. (Kotra)

The seminar starts at 11.00 at the PAIiIZ Information Centre. Participation is free.

Please, confirm your participation to 17 December to 12.00 by  www.paiz.gov.pl/pslo

Media accreditation is available by e-mail: beata.jez@paiz.gov.pl until  12.00 on 17 December.

More information: www.paiz.gov.pl/20131218/business_support_for_exporters_and_importers.

Source: weim-Fotolia.com

In the third quarter of 2013, seasonally adjusted GDP grew in real terms by 0.6% compared to the previous quarter and was higher by 1.7% than the previous year. (GUS)

The purpose of the agreement is to promote the economic potential of the town and local communities and to increase the chances of attracting foreign companies.

PAIiIZ deputy president Bożena Czaja with Ryszard Mach, motor of Zawiercie

PAIiIZ will support the partner in improving its skills in preparing investment offers, collecting and distributing economic information, as well as in creating and managing databases on the city's economy.

More information: www.paiz.gov.pl/20131202/agreement_with_zawiercie  (PAIiIZ)

The discussion also focused on the issues of providing an effective website as a useful tool in communication between local governments and their surroundings. It was pointed out that the key to good website preparation is proper planning, listening to audience’s needs and monitoring the effects of on-line communication.

Meeting with PAIiIZ regional partners

A useful website with attractive and current information helps the region to acquire new investors (PAIiIZ).

The outcomes of PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment ) research shows, that Polish students are the leaders of EU countries in terms of literacy (along with Finland and Ireland) and mathematical skills. As far as natural sciences are concerned, Poles were ranked third in Europe after Finland and Estonia.

PISA is the most important and largest examination that verify how young people around the world are prepared for further educational career and labour market requirements. (OECD)