POLISH INFOMATION AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT AGENCY
NEWSLETTER
 August 30th, 2013,
 Issue 345

NEWS

Eastern Poland representatives mission to Singapore
On August 14-16 the representatives of Eastern Poland technology parks and special economic zones took part in the investment mission to Singapore.

Mission program included a seminar on investment opportunities in Poland, which was attended by representatives of 20 Singaporean companies.

During the meeting, PAIiIZ board member Bozena Czaja presented general economic situation of Poland. Discussion over issues related to investing in Polish and Eastern European special economic zones was followed by a presentation about forms of doing business in Poland, taxation and investment opportunities in the energy sector.

Guests also attended a meeting with Singapore Business Federation, which associates the largest Singaporean entrepreneurs.

They also visited two highly specialized technology parks, which are home to the world's largest pharmaceutical and cosmetic corporations.

The project was financed from EU funds under PAIiIZ Programme of Economic Promotion of Eastern Poland. (PAIiIZ)

People’s Government of Tonglu County
On August 22, People’s Government of Tonglu County delegation, headed by consultant of People’s Government of Tonglu County Mr Mao Xihao, had visited PAIiIZ.

Meeting mainly focused on investment opportunities in Poland and government grants for foreign investors. Polish main foreign investment sectors were also presented to our guests.

The Chinese party expressed willingness to cooperate, ensuring to provide the information about Poland to Chinese companies operating in their area, in order to encourage them to establish cooperation with Polish companies.


People’s Government of Tonglu County delegation

Tonglu County is located near the city of Hangzhou. The region is famous for its numerous tourist attractions, light industry, production of automotive parts, household appliances and components for hydro power plants. (PAIiIZ)

Atlas implements OECD Guidelines
August 28, 2013, the OECD National Contact Point operating at PAIiIZ has granted the certificate "I Implement OECD Guidelines. Responsible Business 2013" to Atlas company.

The certificate confirms company’s compliance with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and thus its commitment to responsible business.

Atlas is the first enterprise which has been certified once again.

What drew PAIiIZ attention was the company’s special care about informing customers about the impact of its products on the environment. Atlas voluntarily places an additional information on the packaging. This approach is likely to spread to other markets throughout foreign investment of Atlas, i.e. in Romania and Belarus. (PAIiIZ/Atlas)

IE OP 2014 - 2020 public consultation
24.158 billion EUR (over 100 billion PLN) will be spent in the upcoming years to support low-emission economy, environmental protection, combating and adapting to climate change, transport, energy security and health and culture protection.

Most of this sum - over 17.5 billion EUR, will be allocated in the transport sector: roads, railways, urban, air and maritime transport. Second priority will be the environmental sector with over 3.4 billion EUR.

Compared to the current perspective, areas related to energy and health will gain in importance.

The new Programme will put a greater emphasis on supporting the economy efficiently using available resources, thereby helping the environment and at the same time being more competitive economically.

Public consultation of the Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment 2014-2020 will run until October 21, 2013. For more information, please visit the OP IE: www.pois.gov.pl/2014_2020/Strony/glowna.aspx. (MRR)

INVESTMENTS IN POLAND

3 new projects on PAIiIZ’s list
The list of investments supported by PAIiIZ has 3 new projects. New investors can create about 500 jobs.

This year PAIiIZ has already closed 33 investments with total value of EUR 645,2 mln, which will create 9 523 new jobs. Currently the Agency supports 163 projects with total value of EUR 4, 9 bn and planned employment at the level of 31 193.

Among the biggest investors on PAIiIZ’s list there are mostly companies from: US (46 projects worth EUR 1150,15 mln, 9226 jobs planned), Germany (21 projects) and China (14 projects), followed by Switzerland (8 projects) and UK (7 projects).

The most popular sectors are: BPO (40 projects), automotive industry (30 projects), R&D (13 projects), food sector (11 projects) and logistics (7 projects). (PAIiIZ)

Mars Inc. will invest over PLN 250 mln to develop its Polish plants
In the last 21 years, one of the biggest FMCG companies has invested about PLN 800 mln in Poland in the office and factories complex in Sochaczew area. Today, Mars will invest over PLN 250 mln for the development of its plant in Janaszówek and in Kożuszki Parcel.

Today Mars Poland revenue is over 1.5 billion PLN a year and the company employs 1400 people. Mars Poland exports over 50% of its production to over 30 countries all over the world.

Mars Poland is to allocate over PLN 250 mln for the development of the chocolate products plant in Janaszówek and for the pet food plant in Kożuszki Parcel.


Plant in Kożuszki Parcel (Source: Mars incorporated)

The recruitment process has already started, both among engineers, shift leaders and plant workers. Thanks to new Mars Poland investments minimum additional 100 persons will find jobs.

The Mars investment project was supported by PAIiIZ. (Mars incorporated)

MACROECONOMIC POLAND

  • Exchange rates (as of 30.08.2013):

Buy

Sell

USD

3.2000

3.2646

EUR

4.2367

4.3223

Source: www.nbp.pl

EVENTS

BALTEXEPO - 2013
On 3-5 September, at the AMBEREXPO Exposition and Convention Centre in Gdańsk, the 17th International Maritime Exhibition & Conferences BALTEXPO 2013 will be held. The event is organized under the patronage of PAIiIZ.

BALTEXPO, fair with over 30 years tradition, is a biggest and most prestigious event in CEE dedicated to maritime industry.

The organizers invite to visit BALTEXPO 2013 fair and to participate in a three days conference and Polish-Norwegian Maritime Business Forum.

The event gathers participants from Denmark, Finland, France, Netherlands, South Korea, Lithuania, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, UK and USA.

Detailed programme available on: www.baltexpo.com.pl. (BALTEXPO 2013)

Poland - Indonesia Economic Forum
On 4th September 2013, the Poland - Indonesia Economic Forum will be held at Hyatt hotel in Warsaw.

Polish companies interested in cooperation with Indonesian partners and willing to participate in the Forum are invited to register online before August 30, 2013 at: http://www.paiz.gov.pl/Polska-Indonezja.

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

Innovation and new technologies fair
"Innovation and new technologies - building a competitive advantage in the region" is a guiding theme of the fair which will be held on 12 September 2013 near the Science and Technology Park Poland-East in Suwałki. The event is organized under the patronage of PAIiIZ.

The fair will be open by by Janusz Piechociński, deputy prime minister and minister of economy.

The main subjects of the event include: European funds in 2014-2020 financial perspective, the Eastern Poland Economic Promotion Programme, support for business offered by local authorities and the benefits of the SEZ business, stimulating interest among domestic and foreign investors.

Fair participants will have a chance to take part in special workshops on modern construction techniques that reduce the investment cost, IT systems and non-cost increases in production staff salaries.

Registration at: www.businesstobusiness.com.pl.

The fair will be attended by representatives of the government, local authorities, experts in the fields of economics and law and entrepreneurs. (PAIiIZ)

13th International Economic Forum in Gdynia
On October 11th Gdynia will host the International Economic Forum - one of the biggest business event of Northern Poland.

This year’s panel discussions will be held within three conferences: Maritime Economy, Regional Airports and Restructuring of Post-Industrial Areas.

International Economic Forum in Gdynia will certainly be an excellent opportunity to confront theory with practice, an open exchange of views and experiences among experts and authorities from business and science. This year main subjects includes: “Selected External Factors Which Influence the Development of Polish Maritime Economy”, “Model of a Modern GA+B Airport, Development of Airport-based Business as a Development Opportunity for an Airport” and “Contemporary Post-Industrial Areas in Cities and Its Restructuring”.

Participation is free. To register, please fill the form available on: www.forum.gdynia.pl.

International Economic Forum is held under the patronage of PAIiIZ. (ARG)

FDI Poland Inwestor Awards
BizPoland Magazine and BiznesPolska invite to nominate the projects and companies for the title of top investors in Poland.

The nominated will be judged on several criteria, i.e. amount of investment, number of jobs created and strategic value to Polish economy.

There are 17 different nomination categories - 14 Country/Region-specific and 3 Overall Awards: Top Special Economic Zone, Top Technology Park of the Year and FDI Investor of the Decade.

Nominated must meet the following criteria: the investment period is three years, investors should have initiated their new investment or expansion during this period, the primary source of the investment capital must be from outside Poland.

On 15 September, the Jury will review all received nominations, then vote on a “short list” - which will be published on 23 September. The winners will be announced on 17 October evening during the Gala Awards at the InterContinental hotel, Warsaw.

President of PAIiIZ, Sławomir Majman is one of the jury members. PAIiIZ is also a supporting partner of the event.

All nominations can be made online at www.FDIPolandAwards.pl. Deadline is 31 August. (PAIiIZ)

ANALYSES AND REPORTS

Consumer optimism edges up
According to Ipsos, the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) has increased up to 83,79 points - this is the best result since July 2012.

Compared to the last month, the willingness to buy index recorded the highest increase - by 1,37 points up to 93,25 points. Likewise the number of Poles who consider the current time to be a good moment to buy durable consumer goods has increased (from 14% to 17%). The future expectations index recorded an increase, compared to July, by 1,32 points (up to 90,38 points). The indicator concerning an expected amelioration of households financial condition increased, compared to July, by 2% up to 19%.

The economic climate index increased modestly to 69,59 points.

The rise in consumer moods is caused mainly by seasonal improvement in evaluation and forecasts of the households financial situation. (Ipsos)

Information about Polish labour market
PAIiIZ and K&K Selekt HR consulting have prepared a presentation, addressed to foreign investors, on labour market and human resources in Poland.

Based on practical knowledge of foreign investors, the presentation shows strengths and weaknesses of HR in Poland as well as opportunities and threats of the Polish labour market.

In the movies attached to the presentation two representatives of foreign companies operating in Poland - Daniel Kortlan, director at LG Electronics and Kip Thompson, CEO Economic Development International (responsible for investments of Dell, and Heli-One in Poland) shared their experiences and opinions about labour market.

According to Kip Thomson: „Poland is a delightful country. It has endorsed many challenges over the years. And I think these challenges are a part of what makes Poland such a great place to invest. It’s creative people that have the capability and the capacities and the desire to learn a progressive role in a way that will enable them and their companies to thrive into 21st century.”

The publication is available on: www.paiz.gov.pl/publications/labour_market. (PAIiIZ)

DID YOU KNOW...?

Poles reach semi-finals of World Summit Award
Six Polish ideas are among 461 Internet projects selected for the UN-organized World Summit Award competition.

The World Summit Award aims to select the most valuable e-content in an ocean of products and services on the Internet.

Among the Poles, a concept by Przemyslaw Ku¶mierek deserved a special recognition. The project KinecTranslator.pl, known in Poland as Migam.pl, will allow people who do not know sign language to communicate easily with people who use it of necessity. Revolutionary translator uses the Kinect (the motion sensor known from XBOX).

Announcement of 40 finalists will take place on August 29th in Tallinn and during the official gala on October 23 in Sri Lanka. (wsis-award.org)


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