The official visit of Polish entrepreneurs in the Gulf countries started from the Polish - Saudi Business Forum in Riyadh, on 8 December. Saudi Arabia is a strategic partner of Poland in the region. In recent years, the country was the most important final recipient of Polish exports among member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

President Bronisław Komorowski, together with Polish entrepreneurs, participated also in the economic forum in Doha, Qatar. One of the key issues discussed during the conference was the energetic cooperation between the two countries. In 2009, Poland and Qatar signed an agreement for the supply of LNG gas from Qatar that starts in 2014. Qatari market is very promising for companies from Poland. Suppliers of construction machinery, means of transport or surveying services from Poland are already there.

President Bronisław Komorowski meets with representatives of Qatar (source: Wojciech Grzedziński/ KPRP)

On 12 December, Dubai held the last economic forum in Polish delegation programme economic forum. President Slawomir Majman, encourage the vast group of Arab businessmen, that gathered during the event, to invest in Poland. Poland is not so far away as it seems, he argued.

During the official visit to the Gulf Countries, Polish president was accompanied by representatives of the Ministry of Economy, PAIiIZ and Polish entrepreneurs representing the construction, chemical, transport, food, renewable energy and yachts and cosmetics sectors. Some companies participated in the mission under the Eastern Poland Economic Promotion Programme. (PAIiIZ)

During the conference, the results of 20th Employers Plans made by Randstad and TNS where presented. - The unemployment rate reached 13.2 % in November and was higher by 0.2% than in October. This is a two times smaller increase than the year before. This is an optimistic data. New jobs are coming. We are back on the path of growth - commented Minister Kosiniak - Kamysz. - Entrepreneurs moods haven’t been worse - adds president Sławomir Majman Moreover, during the whole year, they have improved. From PAIiIZ point of view the future looks good. As a result of our work in supporting new investments conducted by December 2013, more then 18 000 new jobs will be created in the nearest future. This means the increase by 84% in comparison to the year ago. It is a great success and very good news”- he stressed.

Speaker during the presentation of Ranstad and TNS report

More information: www.paiz.gov.pl/20131209/back_on_the_path_of_growth. (PAIiIZ)

Signing the cooperation agreement (source: ministry of economy)

Poland with its big market, relatively low costs of providing business, well skilled employers and a stable macroeconomic situation, creates great opportunities for Italian production investments.

The ceremony of signing the memorandum of agreement between two sides, held on 5 December, coincides with the official visit of Italian prime minister Enrico Letta, who met Polish prime minister Donald Tusk.

The final shaking hands after signing the agrement (source: Maciej Śmiarowski/KPRM)

More information: www.paiz.gov.pl/20131211/from_Italy_to_poland. (PAIiIZ)

Portugal is a very important European partner of Poland. The cooperation of Polish and Portuguese entrepreneurs is thriving and the trade turnover between the two countries has increased for several years. In the first half of 2013, there has been an increase of Portuguese investments in Poland by 13%.

PAIiIZ deputy president Monika Piątkowska during the conference in Lizbon

Although the value of Polish investment in Portugal is still low, the number of companies exporting their products to this country is growing. Portugal has recently introduced reforms to improve the business environment, including import and export procedures. Due to that, for instance, opening a business in Portugal takes an average of 46 minutes. Starting business in Portugal is not only fast, but it is also much cheaper than before.

Conference "The expansion into the new markets - Prospects and Challenges" was organised by the Polish Embassy in Lisbon to focus on issues related to doing business in Africa by Poland and Portugal.

More information: www.paiz.gov.pl/20131209/go_poland_go_portugal_go_africa_en. (PAIiIZ)

The role of research and development centres in Poland grows each year. According to GUS (Central Office of Statistics) data, the number of entities engaged in R&D activities in Poland has increased by 23% in comparison to 2011. Expenditures on R&D also increased by 23% compared to 2011, reaching the level of PLN 14.4 billion in 2012. This is 0.9% of GDP of Poland. Undoubtedly, such rise is due to EU subsidies and national aid. - In the incoming financial perspective, the greatest emphasis will be on innovation improvement. This is another signal that R&D sector plays a strategic role in Poland - commented PAIiIZ deputy president Anna Polak - Kocińska.

Presentation of perspectives of R&D sector in Poland

The conference presenting the report "R&D Market in Poland - support for research and development activities of companies" was held on 11 December in PAIiIZ.

More information: www.paiz.gov.pl/20131211/RD_gets_stronger. (PAIiIZ)

How to avoid problems in cooperation with Chinese partner - was the main highlight of the training addressed to Polish entrepreneurs, which took place on 10 December in PAIiIZ. The meeting was divided into three discussion panels where speakers presented the most important aspects of doing business with Chinese partners.

Discussion on cooperation with Chinese partners

Among the crucial barrier of running business in China there are: cultural differences, the system of law regulation, problems with verification of business partners and fictitious companies that operate in this market.

Nearly 27% of Polish companies declare cooperation with Chinese partners, and 11% would like to establish business relations with the country. To support them, since 2012, PAIiIZ introduces a Go China programme, aiming to provide help and information for Polish companies. Under the programme PAIiIZ also organises trade missions, conferences and runs a Go China website. (PAIiIZ)

More information: www.paiz.gov.pl/20131210/how_to_cooperate_with_chinese_partners.

This year's edition of the Teraz Polska Promocja contest has put together a record number of entries - 124 MA theses. The majority of theses raised the issue of tourist promotion of Poland, its products or the image of Poland in the world. Many of submitted works related also to the investment attractiveness and innovativeness of the Polish economy.

Awarding ceremony

First place won Agata Krzemień from University of Warsaw for her work entitled Human personality versus brand attributes of tourist destination.

The seventh Teraz Polska Promocja competition was organised by the Polish Promotional Emblem Foundation, PAIiIZ, Polish Tourist Organization and PARP.

Winners of the contest

More information: www.paiz.gov.pl/20131205/winners_of_teraz_polska_promocja_contest. (PAIiIZ/Teraz Polska)

The majority of projects on the Agency´s list come from the US. 43 American investment projects are worth €927.25 m. They can help to create 6,959 jobs. Germany is on the second position with 26 investment projects worth €518.1m. China is the third on the list of ongoing projects with 11 projects worth €300 m.

In terms of sectors, for the first time since months, the automotive industry predominates with 33 investment projects worth €1,326m. BPO sector, the recent leader, has the second place (33 investment projects, €25.7 m) and R&D sector is third (15 projects €22.54 million). Currently, PAIiIZ supports 161 investment projects with a value of €4,009.49 m, which may create 30,730 jobs in the future.

More info: www.paiz.gov.pl/20131206/18000_jobs_thanks_to_PAIiIZ_support. (PAIiIZ)

- Today we are opening next planning and logistics centre. It's a real milestone, but I assure you, that it is not the last one we plan, said Werner Geissler, Vice Chairman Global Operation in P&G.

- Procter & Gamble is an important investor and partner for the Polish economy. We appreciate the scale of investment business in our country, which has resulted in creation of thousands of jobs. The new investment is a next proof for the company's strong commitment to Poland, said PAIiIZ deputy president Monika Piątkowska. She also remained the opinion about P&G as a good employer. - As woman, I really appreciate the policy of equal opportunities provided by P&G in Poland - added Ms Piątkowska.

From the left: Yannis Skoufalos - global product supply officer, Werner Geissler - vice chairman, global operations, Monika Piątkowska - PAIiIZ deputy president

P&G has been present in Poland for 20 years. Since this time, the company has invested more than PLN 4 billion and has employed 3500 people. Extra 500 new members of staff will be employed by the new European Centre for Planning and Logistics. During the conference, P&G announced that the Centre will provide the comprehensive management of the supply chain in 100 countries.

More information: www.paiz.gov.pl/20131205/procter_and_gamble_zatrudnia_w_warszawie (PAIiIZ)

The company will run a production of tools, spare parts, machine parts and equipment used in the food and tobacco industry.

Starachowice subzone (source: Starachowice SEZ)

Tegeno also plans to diversify its supplies to enlarge the market share of domestic suppliers. (SSE Starachowice)

The newest plant, where at least 462 people will find a job, will produce about 50 foundations truss annually. The main receivers of Bilfinger Offshore Crist factory come form Germany and Britain.

The factory is owned by a Bilfinger-Crist consortium. Bilfinger is an international company providing services for construction, industry and energy sectors. Crist is a manufacturer of specialised shipbuilding equipment in segments of hydro-technical and floating objects. (Euro-Park Mielec Special Economic Zone)

Melett Poland plans to build a 2000-square-meter hall and employ at the beginning 15 employees.

Melett is a supplier of kits and individual components for professionals operating in turbochargers regeneration industry. (BPNT)

Speakers will try to answer such questions as: whether Poland's economy is innovative? What does it mean to be innovative in financial business and what are the challenges for the future of this sector.

Submissions will be accepted until 13 December by a.urbanska@headlines.pl. (Headlines)

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. (PAIiIZ)

Islamic Banking is based on Sharia. The basic rule of IB prohibits the fixed or floating payment and specific fees for loans of money. Fees for loans of money are treated as usury that is called Riba in Arabic. Not only does Koran prohibit the usury, but it also calls for war against it. Islamic Banks are already present in the United States and Europe.

In last November, PAIiIZ hosted representatives of Doha Bank from Qatar. During the meeting, the plans for closer cooperation between Polish and Qatari companies were discussed. (PAIiIZ/obserwatorfinansowy.pl)

EIB is owned by the Member States of the EU. The EIB offers its clients a number of benefits, provides support for investment projects in Poland. The Bank offers financing to companies investing in fixed assets, research, development and innovation sector (RDI).

More information: www.eib.org. (EIB)