Eastern border prepares to take the strain
In two of these regions at least - Lublin and Podlasie - their problems have been immediately compounded by accession and the creation of a new EU border on Poland's eastern flank.
Cross-border trade conducted by small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) is the second largest employer in these regions after agriculture, which is also expected to incur setbacks now that accession has taken place. However, SME business is set to be cut short too, with visa and trade restrictions imposed on the edge of the 'EU fortress.'
Ostensibly, tough policing of the border is necessary to prevent an influx of migrants from the former Soviet Union. "Near to Białystok [on the Belorussian border], they might catch three groups of illegal immigrants across a year," says Anna Wołoszin, a border police spokeswoman. "But near to Chełm [on the Ukrainian border] they catch three groups of illegal immigrants trying to get into the EU every month."
For seven months, Russian, Belorussian and Ukrainian citizens have had to apply for visas to enter Poland. A multiple-entry visa is available for around zł.200 for a six month period. Nevertheless, import and export tariffs have changed, making cross-border trade in an already impoverished region even more expensive.
Foreign private enterprise is attempting to offer ways around Poland's border problems. Bradley Dunbar, a Scottish consultancy firm that specializes in advising government institutions and SMEs on European Integration, has been scouting for business in the Lublin region for the last six months.
Dunbar's first Polish office in Poznań specialized in sectoral analysis and market segmentation for UK and EU regional development agencies. Its new activity in Eastern areas will be dedicated to the management of Structural Fund projects and Cross Border Cooperation (CBC) arrangements.
"Part of our activity will link institutions and SMEs in Eastern Poland with their Western Ukrainian counterparts," says the firm's Alastair Clyne, "...and we will provide them with specialist assistance to seek EU-derived funding."
Although EU funds have been earmarked to assist border regions affected by enlargement, a 'knowledge gap' is said to be preventing those funds from reaching the people who need them and are eligible for them. Clyne speaks of a certain amount of frustration in his company's Polish activities, where there has been some difficulty in persuading potential UK public and private sector clients to pay for specialist consultancy and support that many believe to be freely available.
"We are tailored to small- and medium-sized clients that are focused on developing links and a committed presence and activity in the regions of Poland," says Clyne, "...and many are either not prepared to pay for the expert knowledge we can provide, or are unaware of the potential business benefits that could ensue."
According to an official European Commission statement, EU pre-accessions assistance (PHARE) funding will remain a major feature of the developing accession nations. "PHARE is providing some zł.52.9 billion (E11 billion) of co-financing for institution-building support ...and technical assistance and for investment support to help applicant countries in their efforts."
However, much of this EU money is being spent on EU flag-hoisters on eastern border watchtowers. New uniforms, vehicles, buildings and technology are receiving funding from Brussels to ensure that the EU fortress is locked tight. Time will tell if it so speedily assists the small businessmen and women of eastern Poland who need it most.
Cross-border trade conducted by small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) is the second largest employer in these regions after agriculture, which is also expected to incur setbacks now that accession has taken place. However, SME business is set to be cut short too, with visa and trade restrictions imposed on the edge of the 'EU fortress.'
Ostensibly, tough policing of the border is necessary to prevent an influx of migrants from the former Soviet Union. "Near to Białystok [on the Belorussian border], they might catch three groups of illegal immigrants across a year," says Anna Wołoszin, a border police spokeswoman. "But near to Chełm [on the Ukrainian border] they catch three groups of illegal immigrants trying to get into the EU every month."
For seven months, Russian, Belorussian and Ukrainian citizens have had to apply for visas to enter Poland. A multiple-entry visa is available for around zł.200 for a six month period. Nevertheless, import and export tariffs have changed, making cross-border trade in an already impoverished region even more expensive.
Foreign private enterprise is attempting to offer ways around Poland's border problems. Bradley Dunbar, a Scottish consultancy firm that specializes in advising government institutions and SMEs on European Integration, has been scouting for business in the Lublin region for the last six months.
Dunbar's first Polish office in Poznań specialized in sectoral analysis and market segmentation for UK and EU regional development agencies. Its new activity in Eastern areas will be dedicated to the management of Structural Fund projects and Cross Border Cooperation (CBC) arrangements.
"Part of our activity will link institutions and SMEs in Eastern Poland with their Western Ukrainian counterparts," says the firm's Alastair Clyne, "...and we will provide them with specialist assistance to seek EU-derived funding."
Although EU funds have been earmarked to assist border regions affected by enlargement, a 'knowledge gap' is said to be preventing those funds from reaching the people who need them and are eligible for them. Clyne speaks of a certain amount of frustration in his company's Polish activities, where there has been some difficulty in persuading potential UK public and private sector clients to pay for specialist consultancy and support that many believe to be freely available.
"We are tailored to small- and medium-sized clients that are focused on developing links and a committed presence and activity in the regions of Poland," says Clyne, "...and many are either not prepared to pay for the expert knowledge we can provide, or are unaware of the potential business benefits that could ensue."
According to an official European Commission statement, EU pre-accessions assistance (PHARE) funding will remain a major feature of the developing accession nations. "PHARE is providing some zł.52.9 billion (E11 billion) of co-financing for institution-building support ...and technical assistance and for investment support to help applicant countries in their efforts."
However, much of this EU money is being spent on EU flag-hoisters on eastern border watchtowers. New uniforms, vehicles, buildings and technology are receiving funding from Brussels to ensure that the EU fortress is locked tight. Time will tell if it so speedily assists the small businessmen and women of eastern Poland who need it most.
