BPCC GROWS ALONG WITH POLISH-UK TRADE AND INVESTMENT

David Thomas, BPCC Board Chairman
http://www.bpcc.send.pl/download/3rdConference_2_DThomas.mpg

Professor Zyta Gilowska, Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
http://www.bpcc.send.pl/download/3rdConference_3_ZGilowska.mpg

Download the event guide: http://www.bpcc.org.pl/en,0,2190.html

Background information:

    UK firms could profit much more from Polish business opportunities than they are currently doing – even though trade between Britain and Poland currently stands at record levels.


    Sound Polish exporters who are doing good business in Germany or Scandinavia should also be selling to Britain.

    An EU Member State for two years, Poland offers the optimal balance between low risk and high upside. With Poland’s industrial production growing at 16.4% annually and inflation less than half a percent, conditions for rapid economic catch-up with countries of western Europe are solid. British firms could be doing more to ride the wave. “We are also certain that there’s great potential for Polish companies to expand into the UK. Sound Polish exporters who are doing good business in Germany or Scandinavia should also be selling to Britain. While Polish exports to the UK have quadrupled over the past decade, the bulk of that growth has come from multinational investors setting up factories in Poland to export to the EU 15. There’s scope for Poland’s home-grown businesses to boost their exports to the UK. Our job will be to show them how,” said Martin Oxley, the BPCC’s CEO, ahead of the 3rd BPCC Annual Conference.

    “We are committed to promoting Poland as the most attractive investment destination in Europe and working with business and government to achieve that goals. Over the last year, we have organised over 150 events in Poland and the UK promoting bilateral trade and investment. The BPCC’s membership stands at 412 firms – up 13% on April 2005. Last year, we opened four regional offices, bringing BPCC representation to eight offices in Poland and two in the UK,” said Martin Oxley.

Notes for Editors:

    Established in 1992, the BPCC is Poland’s leading bilateral trade and investment organisation. It has a membership of over 400 companies from 15 countries representing over €12 billion invested capital in Poland.


    The BPCC’s mission is to promote trade and investment between Poland, the UK and the broader EU market. Together with its members and regional network of partners the BPCC has an active program to promote Poland’s regions, support Polish exporters and create sustainable employment for Poles.


In 2005 the BPCC has received two awards for its contribution to the promotion of trade and investment:


Ø In April 2005 the BPCC was awarded the 'Best Chamber of Commerce in Europe' by the Council of British Chambers of Commerce in Continental Europe.

Ø In October the BPCC was nominated the best supporting NGO by the Warsaw Destination Alliance (WDA) for its commitment to promoting Warsaw as a leading business and tourism destination.


Poland’s World of Opportunity

    Poland is ranked as one of the top ten global investment locations and the leading planned investment destination in Europe. The country offers a number of attractive investment opportunities combined with a cost base which can be up to four to six times less than in the established global markets.


    Poland has one of the youngest, highly educated and multilingual populations of any member state; the country is also situated right at the heart of continental Europe where trade routes cross between East and West.

Poland offers five strategic opportunities for the global investor:
 

(ii) Human Capital

Ø Poland’s most valuable asset – its talented, entrepreneurial, multilingual young people

Ø 50% of the population is less then 35 years old – 80% of students speak English

Ø Poland ranks third in terms of planned R&D investment destinations after China and India

Ø Wide spread educational resources (universities and polytechnics in many Polish cities)


(iii) Strategic Location

Ø Competitive cost base offers significant location benefits

Ø At the heart of continental Europe – 250m consumers within a 1,000 km radius

Ø Part of the Trans European Road Network


(iv) Large and Growing Domestic Market

Ø 38 million consumers

Ø 10% growth in the retail market

Ø Over €82 billion available in EU funds to develop infrastructure, systems and human capital


(v) Regional/Global Manufacturing and Services Platform

Ø Excellent productivity – one of the fastest growth rates in Europe

Ø Successful track record of investments made to date

Ø 14 Special Investment Zones and Technology Parks with attractive incentives packages


The BPCC 3rd Annual Conference And Exhibition

    The BPCC Annual Conference and Exhibition is an international trade and investment showpiece which attracts leading figures from government and industry to showcase Poland’s investment opportunity, identify opportunities for international Polish trade and establish a pragmatic support platform for bilateral trade and investment between the UK and Poland.

The aims of the two-day conference and exhibition are as follows:


Ø Expert Forums on Poland’s economic development potential

Ø Showcase successful investment as a focal point to attract future investment

Ø Promote Poland’s investment opportunity

Ø Practical workshops on bilateral business development – in Polish (about UK) and English (about Poland)

Ø B-to-B Exhibition focusing on services and sourcing