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TABLE OF CONTENTS NEWS
INVESTMENTS IN POLAND
FROM THE REGIONS
ANALYSES AND REPORTS
DID YOU KNOW...?
FROM THE EDITOR In this issue are the latest news from the Ministry of Economy - of a billion EUR grant for the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency and the meeting of the minister Mr Pawlak, with the Special Economic Zones’ managements. Apart from this, there’s also an article about a project for construction of a Technology Park in Jaworzno and of further investors in the Łódź zone. We’re also disclosing the name of the new president of the Krakow Special Economic Zone and write about a new train linking China and Poland. Pleasant reading! PAIiIZ’s editorial team NEWS A billion EUR from EU funds for PAIiIZ - At the moment the most important matter for us is to provide the Agency with EU funds from the Innovative Economy Operational Programme, which are allocated for investor support. This is 1 billion EUR for the years 2007-2013 - said Mr Rafał Baniak, the Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Economy, in an interview with Rzeczpospolita.
The ministry is working on a strategy for the economic promotion of Poland, which is to be ready by the end of June. Then we will know which institutions are to deal with it and what their competencies are. Right now the priority is for PAIiIZ to receive the EU funds and to distribute them as grants for foreign investment projects. There’s a great opportunity to exceed last year’s record of 15 billion EUR of FDI. Currently PAIiIZ is negotiating with several large investors, whose expenditures are assessed at hundreds of millions of EUR and employment levels in thousands. - (The investors) treat Poland very seriously and stress the climate for investment here is improving. No economic crisis is looming, as may be observed in other markets. In addition we have an enormous pool of EU funds for the infrastructure, education and also for investors introducing new technology - the minister stated. Among the countries in the region the greatest competition for Poland is presented by the Czech’s and recently by Romania and Bulgaria. In terms of Poland the key sectors are aviation, the automotive industry, and service centres, which are favourable for the introduction of new technology. The deputy minister believes it’s necessary to invest in the Trade and Investment Promotion Sections (of Polish embassies) - To increase the opportunities of gaining investors, we should also be present on a larger number of Polish markets. Currently we have app. 50 Trade and Investment Promotion Sections, but I believe the number needs to be expanded further - Mr Baniak said. (Rz) Go to top...
NBP conference: “The inflow of FDI to Poland in 2007” The National Bank of Poland (NBP) and the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency (PAIiIZ), invite all those interested to a conference devoted to the inflow of foreign capital to Poland last year.
At 11am on 16th April this year, at the PAIiIZ Press Centre, 12 Bagatela St., a press conference organised by the National Bank of Poland and PAIiIZ will be held. During the conference the estimated figures regarding the inflow of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) to Poland in 2007, their structure and the main trends - will be presented. The anticipated schedule of the meeting will include a presentation by Mr Józef Sobota, NBP Board Member and Director of the Statistics Department. The conference will be hosted by Dr Paweł Wojciechowski, President of PAIiIZ. Tenth Business Roundtable with the Government of Poland A conference entitled “The Tenth Business Roundtable with the Government of Poland” will be held on May 26th 2008 at the Westin Hotel in Warsaw.
Economist Conferences’ Tenth Business Roundtable with the Government of Poland is a unique opportunity to debate the issues with Poland's political and business leaders. This exclusive event brings together experts from the Economist Intelligence Unit, business leaders and government representatives in a discreet, off-the-record environment. It will be an excellent moment to spark debate, surface the issues and explore solutions. This event gives an opportunity to discover how Poland's leaders intend to deliver on their promises, to network with your peers from industry and commerce, and to discuss the timetable for completing privatization and joining the Euro and its costs. This conference gives you an opportunity to get the latest, authoritative overview of the Polish business environment, meet and challenge government leaders, network with key decision makers and peers in a discreet, off-the-record setting, as well as review and renew your strategy in a concentrated, one-day event. There is still time to book your place as a delegate at the Economist Conferences’ Tenth Business Roundtable with the Government of Poland. This event has however limited capacity. Join us for the key strategic session on business in Poland, and equip yourself to meet the future head on. Reserve your place today using the attached registration form - or contact Tamara Joseph, (431) 712 41 61 21, tamarajoseph@economist.com for more information. Please see the link for the full event program and registration form, as well as the whole conference web page: A meeting of the Minister of the Economy with the presidents of the Special Economic Zones
The minister stressed - It’s crucial to tighten up the cooperation between the bodies for education and the R&D centres, with the firms operating in the Special Economic Zones. This will enable Poland to develop a competitive advantage as an attractive place for new investments. - It was the minister’s opinion that more cooperation between investors and education centres, would lead to a more effective use of new technology. According to the Minister of Economy, one of the main factors that would be attractive to further the location of foreign investments in Poland is a well educated workforce. - We must attract new firms not only by public aid and tax exemptions, but also with our employees - he emphasised. Among the most important and positive effects of the Zones’ activities in 2007, the Minister Pawlak, mentioned the inflow of foreign capital and the increase in employment - We must remember that what counts aren’t only the Special Zones’ profits, but above all the long term effects of their activities on the economy -
According to Mr Szymon Madera, the president of the Kamienna Góra Special Economic Zone, the visit to the Ministry of Economy confirmed the interest of the minister Pawlak, in matters relating to the Special Economic Zones. - The Minister asked for people to give their opinions relating to the functioning of the SEZs and the perspectives for the firms managing them. A particular emphasis is placed on information regarding all forms of inconveniences that are met by both us and the investors. He promised that every such information item would be given particular attention - said Mr Szymon Madera. INVESTMENTS IN POLAND 1,000 workplaces in the Jaworzno Technology Park
As many as a thousand people could be provided with work at the technology park in Jaworzno (śląskie voivodship), which a Polish company belonging to the Czech firm: CTP Invest plans to build. The value of the investment will be 50 mln EURO.
CTPark Jaworzno will be built over the next few years on a 17 ha site, which was recently purchased by the investor from the local authority. The site that was sold by the town’s authorities of Jaworzno, received an award in the competition “Grounds for a medal”, organised by the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency. First buildings in this new CTPark - part of CTPark Network brand - will be available for rent beginning 2009. The buildings will comprise of CTP’s well-known and renowned property solutions - Flexi-Space, Warehouse Space, CTBox and Custom-Built facilities - with units from 1 000 m2.
- Silesia is located within 600 km to six European capital cities and has access to three international airports. And with its three international railway routes Silesia enjoys the most dense railway network in Poland - Remon L. Vos, Managing Director of CTP Invest, explains his interest in the region. As the region becomes a hub of automotive industry in Europe, several major industry players are located in the proximity to the CTPark Jaworzno. Due to General Motors, Fiat, Opel or Isuzu presence, CTPark Jaworzno is expected to become an ideal location for suppliers and partners to this industry. (CTP Invest) New players in the Łódź SEZ A further four firms received permits in the Łódź Special Economic Zone (ŁSEZ). In total they will employ 700 people and the declared value of the investments will be 170 million PLN.
Among the firms which received permits for activities in the Zone is, Tesalca Poland, which will operate in Kutno and produce plastic items and needled cloth. The firm is to employ at least 50 people and the estimated value of the investment is 105 million PLN. The Ferax Company is building a factory at Zduńska Wola, there they will produce textile materials and clothing. 200 jobs are to be provided and the capital invested will be at least 19 million PLN. Whereas, Flextronics Logistics Poland (who we’ve already written about in our Newsletter), providing warehouse and transport services will also invest 19 million PLN in Łódź. The firm has promised to create at least 250 new jobs. Leoni Autokabel, have also invested in the zone and with an investment of over 27 million PLN, they will build a new plant manufacturing cables and electrical installations. The plot covers almost 2 ha and 250 people are to be employed there. Łódź’s voivoda Ms Jolanta Chełmińska, stresses that the new investors are an important occurrence for the region, but particularly for those who will find employment in the new businesses. - The very fact that such significant investors have decided to invest in firms here, is a testimony to the attractiveness of the city and region - the voivoda added. The ŁSEZ was established in 1997; it covers an area of app. 900 ha, is made up of 29 sub-zones and is 82% occupied. Last year the investors declared that they would create 4.5 thousand new jobs - this is the largest number compared to all the other Polish economic zones. Since being established, the ŁSEZ has issued permits to 120 firms. The total value of these investments is expected to be over 6.3 billion PLN and the number of jobs created is 16.5 thousand. (PB) MACROECONOMIC POLAND
Source: www.nbp.pl FROM THE REGIONS A new president for the Kraków Zone Dr Sławomir Kopeć, became the new president of the Kraków Technology Park (KTP). Earlier he held the position of director of the department for the IT association at the Marshall’s Office of the małopolskie voivodship.
The supervisory committee has also undergone changes. To it, from the voivodship has been added Mr Krzysztof Krzysztofiak, the former president of the KTP. - The main tasks are the management of the zone, gaining new land and easing the transfer of technology from education to business. We hope to create a new strategy for the zone as soon as possible. We’ll be active in the formation of the Małopolska IT and Technology Park and the Małopolska Innovation Centre - Mr Kopeć said to Puls Biznesu. (PB) ANALYSES AND REPORTS Leszek Balcerowicz, on the Polish economy: All’s well. - Assuming that a slowdown won’t be catastrophic, external factors don’t seem to be the most important for our economy - said Prof Leszek Balcerowicz, during the Macroeconomic Forum in Warsaw.
Mr Balcerowicz’s opinion was that the negative influence of the economic slowdown in the USA on our economy would be weak, just as our economic relationship with the USA is. - Some people are of the opinion that a very bad scenario is possible, drawing comparisons to the Great Depression. I believe that these are excessive forecasts - Prof Balcerowicz said. The only threats to the healthy state of Poland’s economy are inflation above the 2.5% target and the large wage increases. According to the Professor, in this situation much depends on monetary policy. - This threat (inflation - ed. comm.) cannot be ignored and if it’s not to be ignored - the interest rates should be raised - he concluded. Balcerowicz also stressed that Poland wants to be an economic “tiger”; its GDP growth should remain stable and high for well over ten years. In order to maintain such growth, reforms are essential - particularly those that limit public expenditure. Currently their GDP share is too high. Of equal importance is an increase in the numbers of people carrying out recorded and legal work. Currently one person working officially keeps one person that’s unemployed. Economic deregulation is also essential. Actions directed at the liberalisation of trade and services should not only be carried out nationally, but also on EU forums. (GW) DID YOU KNOW...? The first Chinese train will arrive in May to Sławków A train carrying containers from Shanghai to the Euroterminal in Sławków (Śląsk) will expand the offers of the Railog Company, which since the beginning of the year have been bringing trains of containers from Shanghai to the ports of Hamina and Kotku in Finland.
The impending rail transport from Shanghai to Sławkow is due to an understanding between the owners of Euroterminal (Central Foundry Supplies) with the Railog Company, which belongs to one of the largest transport and logistics groups in Europe. Several months ago, a warehouse complex of 7 thousand m2 and an infrastructure enabling the unloading of containers was made available for the firm’s use. As the director of Euroterminal Ms Mariola Legierska said, the route of the train will pass through China, Kazakhstan, Russia and the Ukraine. It’ll be a new silk route. Euroterminal’s offer is directed mainly to large firms from Western Poland, Germany and the Czech Rep. A regular service is planned - so that it can also be used by clients with retail goods. There are also plans to connect up with other Chinese towns - e.g. Beijing and Canton (south east of China) and Urumqi (south west). The significance of Euroterminal in the service of goods transported from Asia should grow year on year. It’s on its site that the wide track changes to the narrower - European standard. This is one of the reasons why PKP SA (Polish railways) is eager to take over control of the terminal. Rail transport from Asia to Europe takes almost half the time of sea transport. It can be profitable for firms with specialist loads, liable to damage at sea, or those for which sea transport is dearer. By the end of the year the capacity for unloading will be increased from 35 thousand tons, to 100 thousand tons annually. Various firms have expressed an interest in the use of Euroterminal, e.g. Toyota, the automotive company. (PAP/Rz)  Editorial office: Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency, 00-585 Warsaw, Bagatela Street 12Economic Promotion Department tel: (+48 22) 334 98 15, fax: (+48 22) 334 99 98, e-mail: redakcja@paiz.gov.pl | |||||||||||||
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