Obtain 330 million PLN for the region

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Mr. President, when it comes to West Pomerania, which are the decisive factors making the region attractive for foreign investors consulting with PAIiIZ in order to find for an optimal location in Poland?

- Westpomeranian Region is appreciated by investors for a number of significant reasons. Foremost due to direct sea access and well developed port facilities. This presents a significant advantage for investors planning to expand into the Scandinavian market and is reflected by the projects completed in this region last year by PAIiIZ. Mainly investors from Denmark, Sweden, Belgium and Finland have decided to locate their investments here. The advantages of the region include proximity to the western market, which is certainly appreciated and not only by foreign investors.

An important factor attesting to the attractiveness of the region and to a flourishing collaboration with existing investors is the fact, that large investments in the region are not over once production commences, but draw other projects undertaken by the investors’ subcontractors. In particular I am thinking of Specma Hydraulic and RewAir companies, which supply Cargotec and LM Glasfiber accordingly.

Specific to the region are good wind conditions for wind farms. We have been observing the development of this industry in Pomerania for a number of years and the creation of wind farms draws other sector specific investments. Currently, more and more producers are considering constructing production plants in the Westpomeranian Region to fulfil the requirements of existing wind farms.

How do you evaluate the activities undertaken and carried out in 2009 by the Westpomeranian Investors’ Assistance Center within the scope of promoting regional investment opportunities?

Facts speak for themselves. Despite unfavourable macroeconomic conditions in 2009 four significant investment projects were successfully located in the West Pomerania, other words 330 million PLN was obtained for the region. It is worth mentioning the Cargotec company, whose investment was honoured by the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency through awarding the Biggest Investment in 2009  title.

Due to the collaboration with the Westpomeranian Investors’ Assistance Center PAIiIZ boasts over 110 investment offers in its database from this region, which places it 3rd in terms of the number of offers amongst all voivodeships. Last year the voivodeship’s offers were used in the implementation of 16 PAIiIZ supervised investments, currently in two. IAC actively cooperates with PAIiIZ in the implementation of investment projects, we can always count on fast and punctual service in terms of provision of materials required to support the undertaken investments.  We jointly carry out the voivodeship’s plots audits, which provide us with a better understanding of its investment opportunities. Just as in previous years we will work hand in hand during this year’s The Golden Site 2010 competition. It is not without significance that the Center pays a lot of attention to post-investment support, other words services rendered on behalf and for the benefit of companies which previously invested in the region.

IAC’s activities within the scope of regional promotion at national and foreign fairs are also gladdening, for example during the Large Investment Fair, Baltic Business Forum or through foreign journalists’ study visits as well as foreign investors’ visits, of which IAC organised quite a few last year, namely around 70. It is also worth mentioning the Center’s new web site, which is often the first point of contact for external partners and is now also available in German – a nod towards the dominant investor group interested in this region.

For a year the Westpomeranian Investors’ Assistance Center has been working closely with the Szczecin regional office of the Scandinavian-Polish Chamber of Commerce in order to attract Scandinavian investors. In your opinion, can such a partnership yield results?

Poland and the Scandinavian countries belong to the same Baltic Sea Region. Towards the end of 2009 the European Union adopted a strategy for this region, according to which it is to support financially the common undertakings of these states. Considering the fact, that this is the first initiative of this kind, an increase in investments in the Baltic Sea region should be expected. From this point of view the cooperation with Scandinavian-Polish Chamber of Commerce can prove to be very helpful. Bilateral commerce chambers in Poland are one of the bridges linking our country with the key World markets. Dialog, seeking and establishing business relations, is an indispensible element of economic development.

What can we expect in the current year when it comes to the influx of direct foreign investments into our country? In your opinion, is the recession over?

I do not expect a sudden increase in direct foreign investments this year, due to the prevailing tendencies on the World capital markets. However Poland is beginning to reap benefits from the commodity that is most sought after by investors, namely economic stability. Since the end of last year interest in our country increased significantly.

Currently we are overseeing 122 projects, total value of 4.5 billion Euros – that’s over 40 projects more than at the same time last year. 14 projects originate from the Scandinavian countries. Many of the potential investors admit that even a few months ago our country was not being considered as an investment location. Today, when the potential and stability of economies worldwide were put to the test by the recession, Poland suddenly grew more attractive. This bodes well for a future which seems uncertain.

Thank you for your time.

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