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They are not far from being right. When we take a look at the change of GDP in Q2, all European
countries are below the ground level and only Poland displays some traces of green grass. Polish
positive GDP growth is not only a fact (it might just have happened) but it is confirmed by a
growing number of optimistic forecasts from various financial institutions. This optimism is in line
with the results of EY European Attractiveness Survey where Central and Eastern Europe is
indicated as the most attractive region in the coming 3 years – and Poland is the biggest and the
most attractive country in this region. What does it mean in practice in the field of support for new
investments? This shows that Poland may very well be the promised land of opportunities for new
investments. Poland’s assets include strong economy, highly qualified labour force, strategic
location, large domestic market, low labour costs (thanks to depreciation of Polish Złoty), and last
but not least – incentives. As some grants are available only for SMEs, big companies began
considering structures with smaller entities that are eligible for support.
Many companies seek funds for SSC. Big investments (over 200 people and PLN 160 million) have
been defrosted.
SEZs are again among the most attractive investment incentives.
Let’s have a glance at a single investment – how many reliefs and incentives are available.
As we know, Poland is to be the biggest recipient of structural funds in the years 20072013.
Commitments for Poland in this respect amount to EUR 67 billion. So, our potential investor may
apply for support under the Innovative Economy programme either for a project implementing
R&D results or as a new investment of a high innovation potential. In the case of a 40 million
investment located in e.g. Kraków, the investor may receive a PLN 20m support. The other source
of public aid is connected with special economic zones. There are 14 of them in Poland and they
will exist until 2020. Acting in a special economic zone, an investor may benefit from CIT
exemption up to maximum aid intensity (in the case of Kraków it is 50%) multiplied by the higher
of costs being twoyear labour costs of the new employees or costs of the new investment. So, if not
under EU funds scheme the investor may get 20m PLN of CIT exemption. If not located in a special
economic zone, the investment may benefit from tax incentive for acquiring a new technology. In
addition to standard depreciation, the investor may deduct additionally 50% of costs of purchasing a
new technology from the taxable base (it is on the top of regular depreciation writeoffs). On the
other hand, if the investment is classified as strategic from the perspective of Polish economy it may
also be supported by Polish government in the form of Multi Annual Support programme a tool
designed to encourage foreign companies to locate their investment in Poland. There are a number
of other methods for supporting new investments in Poland – all of them may be combined and
create really attractive package adjusted to the needs of particular investor.
Agnieszka Tałasiewicz, Partner at Ernst and Young