Gov. expands special economic zones to lure high technology investments

Yesterday's decision by the Cabinet to expand the Tczew and Krakow Special Economic Zones (SSEs) means that both Philips and Motorola will likely invest another several dozen million dollars in Poland. The government included the city of Kwidzyn, in which Dutch Philips operates a TV-producing facility in the Tczew SSE and expanded the Krakow zone, in which Motorola operates, and prolonged its activity from 12 to 20 years. "As a result of yesterday's decision new high technologies will be introduced in the two zones," said deputy Economy Minister Tadeusz Donocik during the National Electronic and Telecommunications Chamber (KIGEiT) conference. However, according to KIGEiT, there is a threat that international electronic giants will invest in the Czech Republic and Hungary instead of Poland, as they may find their environment more attractive. Poland is said to be afraid of European Union regulations and that is why it is reluctant to create investment preferences. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p.29) P.J