Warsaw park goes high tech

Warsaw Mayor Lech Kaczyński has announced that next year the first buildings of a new Warsaw Technology Park (WTP) will begin construction. The park is intended to make the city more business competitive while unleashing Warsaw's research and development potential. Organizers say leading academic institutions and businesses focusing on new technologies have been invited to join the project.

The park is expected to create several thousand jobs, especially for young professionals in need of career-development opportunities. The unemployment rate for twentysomethings in Poland hovers around 40 percent, forcing many of Poland's young minds abroad in search of better job prospects.

"It will be a workplace for several thousand able, young people. It will be a big chance for them ... to stay in the country and work here," Kaczyński said.

The cost of the entire venture is estimated at around EUR 350 (zł.1,420) million, part of which Kaczyński expects will be financed with EU structural funds. Other capital cities in Europe, such as Berlin and Budapest, also boast similar facilities.

The WTP will be located on around 40 hectares near Fort Augustówka on Łuk Siekierkowski. In Poland there are currently six such technological parks in operation.