The act introduces to the Polish Labour Code solutions which help to make working hours more flexible. Introduced modifications help in introducing better work organization, raise enterprises’ competitiveness, facilitate keeping and crating new jobs.

The report, published by PAIiIZ in March 2013 which contains investors’ opinion about doing business in Poland, shows that flexible working hours may contribute to increase Poland’s investment attractiveness. (PAIiIZ)

The main topics of the meeting were governmental investments in Poland and public-private partnership (PPP). Guests had also an opportunity to familiarize with the processes of creation of new public utility buildings.

Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform is a governmental institution responsible for economic and social development policies of the city. It supports the local entrepreneurship, manages investment projects and governmental investments development, mainly in the area of public utilities. (PAIiIZ)

The main topic was Japanese investments in Poland. The participants could learn about the experiences from the implementation of Japanese investment in Poland.

Marika D±browski

Invited experts presented the economic relations between Poland and Japan in the 21st century. (PAIiIZ)

Helkra ltd will produce heating elements and steam generators used mainly in industry sectors. The company will invest at least PLN 10 million and employ at least 18 people.

2P Poland ltd will manufacture stamped and pressed metal components for household appliances. 2P Poland will invest PLN 12 million and create 13 new jobs. (Wałbrzyska SEZ)

• The unemployment rate goes down
  
  
  The unemployment rate in Poland in July decreased by 0,1 percentage point in comparison to the previous month and currently is at the level of 13,1 %.
  
  
  In July the decrease of the unemployment rate was recorded in ten voivodeships, in four the unemployment rate remained at the same level. Only in two voivodeships it went up by 0,1 point. The lowest unemployment rate (9,6%) has been recorded in Wielkopolska Region, the highest in Warmia and Mazury (20,2%). Signals received from labour offices show that a decrease of the unemployment rate is caused by a high demand of workforce in such sectors as construction, tourism, agriculture and forestry as well as with the active forms of stimulation of the unemployed. Amount of job vacancies and occupational activation centers reported by employers to labor offices in July 2013 amounted 77,2 thousand, viz 1,1 thousand more than a month earlier.  (Ministry of Labour and Social Policy)
  
  
• Poles are still buying
  
  
  According to the Eurostat, in June 2013, retail trade in Poland increased by 5.5 percent year to year, which makes Poles one of the most active consumers in the European Union.
  
  
  Comparing to June 2012, retail trade in EU increased by 0,1 %. Among the Member States, total retail trade fell in seven and rose in fifteen. The largest decreases were observed in Spain (-6.9%) and the highest increases in Luxembourg (+27.5%), Lithuania (+6.7%) and Poland (+5.5%). (Eurostat)
  

  Valua Vitaly-Fotolia.com (source: Fotolia.com)

  
  
• Exchange rates (as of 09.08.2013):

	Buy	Sell
USD	3.1046	3.1674
EUR	4.1513	4.2351

Source: www.nbp.pl

This year’s, 82nd edition of Izmir International Fair will take place between 29th August and 2nd  September. The following industries will be presented this year: furniture, construction, decoration products, interior design, home appliances, construction machines, chemicals and petrochemicals, motorcycle accessories, agricultural machinery, electrical devices, consumer electronics, medical, rehabilitation and sport equipment, yachts, cosmetics, processed food products, textiles, services, finance, publishing houses.

The second event within the programme „Promotion of the Polish economy in Turkey” is WORLDFOOD. 21st International Food Products & Processing Technologies Exhibition will take place between 5th and 8th September in Istanbul. The aim of this fair is to present food and agriculture industry as well as food processing technologies industry.

PAIiIZ organizes a mission for Polish entrepreneurs from the food industry. For more information please contact Ms Agnieszka Faust, e-mail: agnieszka.faust@paiz.gov.pl, tel.: +48 22 334 99 88.

The project is organised in the framework of the system project "Promotion of the Polish economy on the international market" (sub-measure 6.5.1 of the Operational Programme Innovative Economy). (PAIiIZ)

The official opening of the Forum will be attended by the President of Poland Bronisław Komorowski and the President of Indonesia.

Among the invited guests there are the representatives of dozens of Indonesian companies and senior officials of government administration.

Indonesian companies are looking for partners mainly in following sectors: infrastructure, mining, renewable energies (power stations constructors), green technologies (biomass), tourism.

Polish companies interested in cooperation with Indonesian partners and willing to participate in the Forum are invited to register online before August 23, 2013 at: http://www.paiz.gov.pl/Polska-Indonezja. Companies operated in above mentioned sectors will have a priority in the registration process.

Press accreditation: beata.jez@paiz.gov.pl before August 30, 2013. (PAIiIZ)

The main topic of the Forum is modern business services sector and its influence on investment attractiveness of Polish regions.

Participants of the Forum will exchange their experiences on current economic situation and trends, especially in the region’s strategic sectors (BPO/IT). They will also have an opportunity to establish sustainable and effective business cooperation and stimulate the entrepreneurial spirit.

The event is organized by the Marshal’s Office of the Łódzkie Region under the patronage of the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency.

More information: http://www.forum.lodzkie.pl/ (EFG)

The Congress will start with a plenary session: “Poland-Africa, perspectives of bilateral cooperation” featuring the representatives of the Polish Government, the ambassadors of African countries, the representatives of local self-governing bodies, economic organizations and entrepreneurs from Africa and Poland.

The second part of the day will be devoted to such thematic sessions as: geo-engineering, energy and ecology, defence industry, investments (including infrastructure and construction industries), IT and its application in modern economy, food and agriculture industry, health protection, pharmaceutical and medical industries as well as science and education.

The participation in the Congress is free of charge. More information and the online registration is available on: www.polandafrica.pl. (RIG - ŁódĽ)

The contest “ACTive 50+” is a part of a program which is broadcasted on 16 regional channels of TVP (Polish public television). Participants of next episodes will be ambitious, qualified and creative Poles at the age of 50+ who are not afraid to pursue their dreams and passions. European Funds help them in it.

Applicants willing to participate in the contest must send a coverage of the participation in project co-financed by European funds which is aimed at people at the age of 50+ or relating to use objects created with the aim of this age group. The coverage can be a short reportage, a description, an interview and even a poem or a song. Authors of the most interesting story will receive attractive gifts such as computers or photographic equipment.

For more information please visit: www.tvp.pl/krakow/aktywni-50/ (PAIiIZ).

During this year’s edition, 1000 exhibitors present their products like:  silverware, platters and tin.  The event combines fair trade with a rich cultural and sport programme.

St. Dominic’s Fair (source: www.jarmarkdominika.pl)

Visitors will have an opportunity to discover international accents - products from Lithuania, Germany, Austria and Turkey.  The most important event of current edition will be the performance of the Shanghai Youth Choir. This year - for the first time - will take place the Polish meat festival - a presentation of local healthy meat products and an exposition of stands of Polish designers. (www.gdańsk.pl)