Chinese-Polish builder sets foundation in Kielce
Wojciech Lubawski, Mayor of Kielce and Tianyi Wang, president of Chinese firm International Industry & Commerce Co. Ltd (CIIC) have signed a declaration to establish a Polish-Chinese construction company based in Kielce and have agreed on the terms of their cooperation.
"It is a pity that throughout recent years we have looked at the Chinese through T-shirts bought in Tuszyn and the 10th Anniversary Stadium," said Lubawski. "China is a country of unusual economic achievements. We shouldn't forget that it is also a country with huge financial resources."
Michał Miszczyk, president of the Municipal Greenery Enterprise (RPZ), who actively took part in the talks with CIIC, says that although the new company will be based in Kielce, its operations will not be limited to the city or to the więtokszyskie voivodship.
Currently, CIIC is building 17 out of all 31 venues for the 2008 Olympic Games in China. "In a year all works will be completed and there will be thousands of free working hands. These people have experience in building stadiums, roads, highways and railways. We would like them to work here," added Miszczyk.
The local authorities hope that now the Chinese will help them make use of EU funds effectively.
"That is how the idea was brought up - it was as a response to the fears we had that EU structural funds designated for Poland by the end of 2013 would not be used," said Miszczyk. "Local authorities are having trouble finding [the required supplementary] funds for the financing period between 2004 and 2006. For the financing period between 2007 and 2013 the amount of money will quadruple."
Miszczyk says that many of the projects completed with CIIC will be public-private partnerships. "We have a six-hectare plot in the Kilece city center. The company may build a huge residential complex here," said Miszczyk.
