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TABLE OF CONTENTS NEWS
INVESTMENTS IN POLAND
FROM THE REGIONS
DID YOU KNOW...?
NEWS From the editor A Brussels report has placed Poland in fifth place in the ranking of the 14 largest EU economies. This high ranking is due to the strong economic growth and increased productivity. The Polish IT specialists are still at the forefront – we have the largest number of competitiors in the final of a prestigeous IT competition. There are new investments from Cadbury’s in Skarbimierz and in Wrocław; whereas the popularity of Gdańsk amongst foreign investors is confirmed by their contiued interest in our markets. Significant tax breaks await the investors in the newly created sub-zone of the Krakow SEZ.
Poland the 5th largest EU economy Poland was placed in fifth place amongst a group of the 14 largest EU economies. According to the assumptions recorded under the Lisbon Agenda, by 2010 the EU could become the world’s most dynamic economy.
The report - in which the top ratings where given to Finland, Ireland, Denmark and Sweden - was prepared by analysts from the Lisbon Council’s Brussels institute. Fifth place was awarded to Poland. This high ranking is mainly due to the strong economic growth (top place among the countries assessed) and the increase in productivity (third place). This is due to the fact that it was the only one of the new EU countries included in the rankings and is “on the rise”. In the two remaining - from the four categories assessed - Poland fared worse. In terms of the rate of employment, the country is in last place (the Lisbon Strategy assumes a rate of 70% in employment - according to the GUS figures, it was 58% in Poland), whilst according to the ratio of workers with higher educations - we were third from bottom. Poland has ahead, a great challenge in the field of the development of human resources, if it wants to move on from an economy that’s in a state of transition and become an innovative economy - it was stated in the report. This is the first optimistic assessment of the goals which the EU had set itself at the Lisbon Summit in the year 2000. Then it was decided that the EU should within a ten year period, have the “most competitive and dynamic economy based on knowledge”; which will be able to develop continually and would lead to a reduceing of the differences in standards of living between its citizens. The authors of the report are ensuring that the reforms don’t fall behind, i.e. in public finances under the pretext of a slackening economy. - Though there is turbulence on the world markets, we can’t hesitate. The worst answer would be to change the policies that have led to the success of Europe, exactly when they have begun to succeed - says Prof Michael Heine, the report’s chief author. Poland’s exporters earned 101 billion EUR in 2007 Exporters coped very well with the strong zloty (PLN) - last year foreign sales increased by 15% - the Central Statistical Office stated.
Since the year 2000, foreign sales have increased threefold and just over the last four years they have doubled, although the zloty has also been strengthened by 25%. This success has to a large extent been due to the entrepreneurs themselves. They have been driven on by the low domestic demand; they have varied their offers and sought out new markets for their goods. The most modern restructured businesses are easily finding room for themselves on foreign markets. Although the zloty is becoming stronger, firms are looking to the future with optimism. Zelmer, the producer of small domestic appliances are very successful on the Central and Eastern European markets. - Our brightest prospects are in Russia, but we’re also running television campaigns in the Czech Rep. and in Slovakia. By 2010 we hope to double the value of our exports - Mr Janusz Płocica, the company’s president told “Gazeta Wyborcza”. Mr Krzysztof Marczewski, from the state’s Foreign Trade Research Institute, said that Polish exports were to a large extent fuelled by foreign investors. Though they form only 30% of the exporters, they generated 65% of the foreign export sales. - These export focused investments are increasing. Together with the establishment of a new factory a jump in exports occurs and the committed new investments provide great hopes for the maintenance of favourable results - Mr Marczewski said. An example is Indesit, who will build two new factories in Poland this year. Hitherto over half of the washing machines, cookers and dishwashers have been exported and last year’s growth in exports was as high as 37.5%. - We anticipate that this year we will produce 2.9 million domestic appliance items; last year the figure was 2 million items. The majority will be consigned for export - Mr Marco Zini, Regional Director of Indisit Company Poland revealed. The figures from the Central Statistical Office (GUS) also showed that excellent results are being achieved by Polish companies. This is the case with specialist exporters; here better results are being achieved by firms with Polish capital. (GW)
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Poland’s IT specialists reach the top again 8 young Polish IT specialists reached the final of America’s TOPCODER competition - one of the most highly regarded programming events in the world.
Among the 49 top programmers that have qualified for the final of the TOPCODER High School competition, there are eight representing Poland. The competition takes place via the internet - simultaneously across the world - then once a year the victorious finalists are invited to the finals organised in the USA. The Poles are favourites, together with their main rivals, a group of young Croatians. Also in the finals are seven Chinese, six Russians, four each from the USA and Bulgaria and three Canadians. Other countries are represented by individuals. A point of interest is that none of the contestants is from the “old EU countries”. We have become used to hearing of the successes of young Polish IT specialists over recent years. In 2006 the Gold medal and first place in The USA's International Open Olympiad in Computer Programming, was taken by Filip Wolski, from Gdańsk and in 2007 this success was emulated by Tomasz Kulczyński, from Bydgoszcz. Other Polish participants in the Olympiad have also achieved high placings and won medals. These successes have strong foundations in the well functioning Polish IT field and in the traditions of the Polish mathematics schools. There are highly regarded IT faculties in the universities of Warsaw, Krakow, Wrocław, Poznań and Toruń, together with the higher education facilities in other towns.
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INVESTMENTS IN POLAND A sweet investment The British corporation Cadbury, has allocated 250 million EUR over a period of 4-5 years, for the construction of a new factory in Skarbimierz and the redevelopment of their factory in Wrocław. Since last year in Warsaw, the modernisation of their manufacturing plant there has been underway, which will be completed in 2010.
The confectionary manufacturer intends to invest 250 million EUR in Poland over the next 4-5 years, from which a significant share of the capital is intended for the new Skarbimierz plant. It will be built next to the chewing gum factory, in which Cadbury has invested 100 million EUR (production is to begin by the end of the year); the construction of the Skarbimierz factory is also to begin by the year’s end. Also, by the end of this year the corporation will begin redevelopment of the Wrocław factory and production in the new plant will begin next year. - It’s now certain that Cadbury will transfer part of its production from Gt. Britain to Poland - says Mr Ruslan Kinebas, Managing Director of Cadbury Wedel. - We expect that our Wrocław investment will be embraced by a tax free zone, as a result of which we’ll be freed from the payment of taxes for some time. From these exemptions to at least 2018, the British Corporation will be able to benefit in Skarbimierz. Due to these investments, this country has the chance to become - following the British Isles - the corporation’s second largest production centre in Europe. Currently, Poland is ahead of e.g. France. Last month, representatives from the Ministry of the Economy signed a letter of intention for temporary financing. Mr Kinebas confirmed that Cadbury can count on an investment grant of 14 million PLN. Meanwhile Cadbury’s Warsaw works are at the half way point. In the first stage of the development modern laboratories were established, the offices have been opened for use, together with a historical memorial hall and also currently under construction is a workers social area. The company will spend over 100 million PLN on this project. It’s finishing the installation of new apparatus for the manufacture of “Ptasie Mleczko”, which will enable the doubling of its production. The investment is to be completed by 2010. (Rz) Investors love Gdańsk At least 2,000 new work places will be established in Gdańsk due to foreign investors.
The Gdańsk Business Service Centre have recently been contacted each month by firms that want to open branches for several hundred workers within the Gdańsk agglomeration. - These are mainly service centres of the large western companies - said Mr Alan Aleksandrowicz, Deputy Director of the economic policy department of the Gdańsk City Bureau. In the “Tri-City” the largest hitherto investment of this kind has been the Reuters centre, which plans to employ over 2 thousand people. - We can’t discuss the investments of the other eager firms, as negotiations are in progress, but already this year at least 2 thousand new jobs will be created in Gdańsk - Mr Aleksandrowicz told “Gazeta Wyborcza”. However a problem could be a lack of office space and of people that are eager to work - all the newly built office buildings are almost immediately taken up. A lack of appropriate locations in Gdańsk means that investors seek locations in the other cities of the agglomeration. This was the case with Reuters, who when they couldn’t find the appropriate space in Gdańsk, opened their branch in Gdynia. Though there is a lack of human resources in the agglomeration, particularly of IT specialists, the City Bureau has some ideas on how to solve the problem. - New investors want to organise a special recruitment campaign in other Polish towns and cities, from the “eastern wall”, encouraging young people to study IT and to work in Gdańsk - Mr Aleksandrowicz stated. A great advantage is the location of Gdańsk. - The towns and cities of central and southern Poland are taking workers from each other. We have at our disposal almost all of northern Poland. From our research it appears that residents from the band between Elbląg and Koszalin perceive Gdansk as the natural place for their personal development. Presenting such findings it is easier for us to attract further investments - Mr Aleksandrowicz stressed. (GW)
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Reinvestments in Special Economic Zones The ICT Poland and TBMeca Poland companies have adjusted to Poland well and each is planning to expand in the zone within which it has established itself. ICT Poland will invest 70 million PLN and TBMeca Poland is to invest 34 million PLN.
TBMeca Poland has already invested 53 million PLN in the Legnica Special Economic Zone, where it employs over 100 workers. Now within the Legnica Pola sub-zone, on a 5.11 ha plot, it will invest 34 million PLN in a plant to produce car parts and accessories. Employment will be increased to 120 people. The company was formed by Mecaplast International, Toyota Boshoku Europe and Denso International Europe, they are producers of engine parts and air filters and one of Toyota’s main suppliers. The Italian paper company ICT Poland has already spent 500 million PLN and employs 300 people in the
TBMeca Poland will carry out its investment on the new site under the framework of its original permit, which was issued in 2003 and broadened last year. (PB/LSEZ)
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MACROECONOMIC POLAND
Source: www.nbp.pl FROM THE REGIONS A sub-zone of the KSEZ has been established in Krosno In Krosno a second sub-zone of the Krakow Special Economic Zone (KSEZ) has been created. The site’s area will be 2.4 ha and is designated for the use of firms for production, services and logistics.
The investment site is the area where some years ago the Hydrobudowa firm was located. I know that the first prospective investors are already ready - said Mr Zbigniew Piwka, the director of the Development Bureau of the city of Krosno. Currently the SEZ management is preparing offers for investors. Next the land in the sub-zone will be offered for tender. Future investors who decide to open workplaces in the Krosno sub-zone can count on significant tax breaks - e.g. exemption from income tax and from the property tax.
As a result of the widening of the new sub-zones, new investment sub-zones will be established in the gminas (local authorities) of: Wolbrom, Słomniki, Oświęcim, Gdów and Andrychów. There will be expansions of the investment sub-zones of: Niepołomice, Tarnów and Krosno. In total the KSEZ is made up of 14 sub-zones and the Zone’s management estimate that in the new areas app. 4 thousand new jobs will be created, with another 1 thousand around the Zone. Investors will spend over 476 million PLN and the public aid will be 270.03 million PLN. As a result of taxes 2,451.70 million PLN should enter the treasury and 192.53 million PLN will reach the local authorities. The Krakow Special Economic Zone was set up in 1997. The total area after its expansion will be 416 ha. (PAP)
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DID YOU KNOW...? Oscypek, Poland’s best known cheese has found itself under EU protection On Wednesday 5th March a decision of the EU Commission was passed on the matter - 20 days have passed since its appearance in the EU Bureau’s Schedule.
The certificate which oscypek received means that the most famous Polish cheese can only be made in a few poviats (local authorities) of southern Poland, according to its century old traditions. Its production is from Polish sheep milk and the additional cows’ milk can form a maximum of 40% of its volume. From now on manufacturers in other countries can make similar cheeses, but they don’t have the right to use the name oscypek - Mr Michael Mann, a speaker for the European Commission said. The European logo may be used to advertise a product of the highest quality. This is a guarantee that it’s a genuine cheese and not a fake - the speaker added. Oscypek is the second Polish product - after bryndza - for which the name is protected throughout the whole of the EU. In the queue for EU recognition and a logo, there are among others: wafers from Kalisz, lisiecka sausage, świętomarcinskie croissants and wild honey from Podkarpacie. (PAP)  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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