Government action over economic zones would trigger zł.2.3 billion investment

Three special economic zones (SEZ) in the central, western and northern regions are very close to finalizing several large projects worth more than zł.2.3 billion in total. However, the huge cash injection is dependent on government approval of the expansion of these areas in Łódzka, Mazurska and Kostrzyńsko-Słubicka. Increasing the size of the economic zones is now possible thanks to a bill passed in April which allows the SEZs to be enlarged from 6,300 ha to 8,000 ha. The additional space can only be used by large investments with a value exceeding EUR 40 million and providing employment for more than 500 people. The largest among the planned investments is the expansion of a plant belonging to French tyre giant Michelin, which is estimated at zł.1 billion. Others include zł.500 million investment of German Petro Nova and zł.400 million from Krono-Invest. The government's decision is expected by the end of September. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B3) M.M.