Economy discussed in Wrocław

Dolnośląskie Province is one of the best examples of understanding what entrepreneurs and the economy need. The catalysts for development are the special economic zones, said Janusz Piechociński, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, during a press conference held in Wrocław on 27 July. He assured the attendees that the Act on Commercial Activity, whose draft was accepted by the Council of Ministers during an away session in Wrocław on 28 July, will be soon passed.

According to Mr. Piechociński, the Act on Commercial Activity (ACA), which is sometimes dubbed the “small economic constitution”, will be a milestone for the development of Poland’s economy. The act was prepared in cooperation with social partners, entrepreneurs and other ministries. The ACA defines and systematizes the rules of conducting business activity. Among the changes it introduces are the friendly interpretation principle, the presumption of honesty, and the rule of justified expectations. The overarching aim of the ACA is implementing the constitutional principle of economic freedom.

Let me emphasize that it is not just about presenting and passing the bill, but about putting in practice all the contents of the bill, which are aimed at creating the best area for entrepreneurs in the entire European Union. The new rules follow in the spirit of Wilczek’s acts, while simultaneously respecting the EU legal principles, said Janusz Piechociński, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy.

The ACA specifies detailed rules for the functioning of administrative bodies in the economy. It also introduces new institutions whose aim will be to facilitate the dialog between administrators and entrepreneurs. The proposed solutions will strengthen the laws and guarantees for entrepreneurs.

What we need is to restore trust between the state and its institutions, including self-governments, and entrepreneurs. It is important for entrepreneurs to build understanding and trust among themselves so that they can cooperate in good faith. We would like to promote a new way of thinking about investing and the economy, Mr. Piechociński said.

He also named the three main drivers of economic growth: stimulating domestic consumption, steady growth of exports, and the development of potential for investment, not only by the government and self-governments, but especially by enterprises in all sectors. Special economic zones are particularly important in stimulating investment, which was the reason why the conference was attended by Ilona Antoniszyn-Klik, Deputy Minister of Economy in charge of special economic zones, and Barbara Kaśnikowska, President of the Wałbrzych Special Economic Zone “INVEST-PARK”.

The zones are an important and efficient tool for attracting investors and stimulating economic development in individual regions. They are performing their task very well. Let me remind you that the total value of all the investments carried out within the 14 special economic zones in Poland has exceeded 100 billion zlotys, and 300,000 jobs have been created by the entrepreneurs. New permits are being granted all the time so that new facilities could open and new employees could be hired. What makes me really happy is that Polish firms have finally believed in the zones. I hope – in fact, I am certain – that the nearest future will be a good time for investments, said Ilona Antoniszyn-Klik, Deputy Minister of Economy.

The Wałbrzych Special Economic Zone “INVEST-PARK” is one of the best zones not only in Poland, but in the whole world. The government’s away session finished with some important decisions for the zone. The Council of Ministers adopted the amended resolution to include new areas in the WSEZ. The new lands situated in Opolskie, Wielkopolskie, and Lubuskie provinces cover a total area of almost 318 ha.

High hopes for economic revival are connected with creating investment activity zones along the currently constructed expressways. On the initiative of the Ministry of Economy, on 19 February in Głogów, and on 14 May in Łódź, special economic zones and self-governments initiated their cooperation within two projects: “The S3 – The Road of Great Opportunities” and “The S8 – On the Way to Investments”. Another agreement, “The S5 – Toward Good Investments”, will be signed in September. It will concern the areas situated along the S5, which connects Poznań and Wrocław. The WSEZ “INVEST-PARK” has plots of land in the immediate proximity of the road, in Kobierzyce, Wrocław, Brzeg Dolny, Wołów, Góra, Rawicz, Leszno, Kościan, Śrem, Książ Wielkopolski, and Września.

Ilona Antoniszyn-Klik emphasized that the government and self-governments are counting not only on investments that would guarantee stable and well-paid jobs, including jobs for specialists, but especially on ventures using the new technologies. Support for innovative projects can be obtained within the 2014-2020 Intelligent Development Operational Program, which is about to be launched. From 1 September until the end of October, 2015, applications will be collected from entrepreneurs planning to invest in R&D centers. Subsidies will be granted especially to firms willing to invest in equipment, technologies, and other infrastructure necessary to conduct R&D projects. Funds earmarked for this edition of the competition amount to 460 million zlotys, and the budget of the entire program is almost 9 billion euros.

We are counting on many interesting projects that will transform Poland’s economy. Innovativeness, investments in knowledge, high technologies, development of know-how – these are our priorities. In Poland, there are many highly creative and well-educated researchers as well as practitioners. We would like Polish solutions to conquer the world, we would like the Polish technical thought to become well-known and respected. European funds will help us, we only need to apply for them, encouraged Ilona Antoniszyn-Klik, Deputy Minister of Economy.

Deputy Prime Minister Janusz Piechociński’s press conference was attended by Ewa Mańkowska, Deputy Marshal of Dolnośląskie Province; Joanna Bronowicka, Deputy Governor of Dolnośląskie Province; Teodor Stępa, Deputy President of the WSEZ “INVEST-PARK”; Marek Szczepanik, Deputy President of the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development; Wojciech Smoliński, Deputy President of the Kamienna Góra Special Economic Zone for Small Enterprises; and Jacek Kaszuba, Deputy President of the “Arleg” agency.
During his two-day stay in Lower Silesia, Mr. Piechociński visited Data Techno Park in Wrocław, ILPEA’s facility for plastics processing in Chełstówek near Twardogóra, and GKN Driveline’s factory in Oleśnica.