PAIiIZ completes projects worth zł.3 billion, but lacks funds to operate at its best

Poland is interesting for investors representing automotive, white-goods, food and shared services centers sectors. "In terms of automotive investments Slovakia has scored the best results, while for investments in the services sector we directly compete with the Czech Republic. We are very strong in attracting investments from the metal sector," said Sebastian Mikosz, deputy president of PAIiIZ. Poland's main disadvantages include lack of sufficient promotion abroad, lack of infrastructure, as well as bureaucracy. However, one of the biggest obstacles in attracting foreign investors is the insufficient budget of the Agency, which amounts to zł.10 million in 2005. A figure closer to zł.50 million is needed for PAIiIZ to be at its most effective. "Taking into account the size of the budget, attracting investments worth zł.1,000 cost the state some zł.0.45. This is not a bad result," said Andrzej Zdebski, CEO of PAIiIZ. (Puls Biznesu, pp. 1, 5; Parkiet, p. 8) M.M.