Summary of the first day of the 15th European Congress of Small and Medium- sized Enterprises
The first day of the 15th European Congress of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Europe's largest event dedicated to the SME sector, has come to an end at the International Congress Center in Katowice. This year's Congress is held under the slogan HERE & NOW, emphasizing the need to make bold decisions here and now.
Opening Ceremony: entrepreneurs as the pillar of the Polish economy
The Congress was organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice. As pointed out by the President of the RIG in Katowice, Vice President of European Entrepreneurs CEA-PME Tomasz Zjawiony:
- Over 74% of Poland's GDP is generated by Polish entrepreneurs and Polish companies. It is thanks to the taxes we pay that politicians are able to implement their social projects, for better or worse. This is the last possible moment – here and now – to change our approach and our policy so that Polish entrepreneurs can compete on price with economic entities from outside the EU.
He appealed to decision-makers: Please recognize and believe in Polish entrepreneurs.
The congress brought together many partners of the event, whose representatives spoke during the inauguration. The mayor of Katowice, Marcin Krupa, emphasized the role of SMEs:
- Thanks to their investments, entrepreneurs develop our cities, regions, and country.” In Katowice, we understood this a long time ago. Thanks to good cooperation, we have transformed ourselves from an industrial city into a city of services and new technologies.
Maciej Biskupski, Vice-President of the Board of the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis, noted that the congress is a place for important discussions:
- We want to create the best conditions for the Silesian Province, the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis, and the city of Katowice to be a good place to live, work, and spend free time. I am deeply convinced that during these two days we will work out answers to important questions.
Leszek Pietraszek, Deputy Marshal of the Silesian Province, added:
- What will the future be like? It will be challenging, but also generous to entrepreneurs and regions that adapt to it.
During the inaugural panel “The future begins today – how the world is changing,” the following speakers took part in the discussion: Beata Drzazga, Founder of BetaMed S.A., Joanna Makowiecka-Gatza, President of Pracodawcy RP, and Rafał Sonik, President of Gemini Holding.
Beata Drzazga noted:
- Abroad, we have noticed that entrepreneurs are actively sought after, while in Poland we are often hindered.
Joanna Makowiecka-Gatza, President of the Board of Pracodawcy RP, said:
- The volatility of the law in Poland and, in recent years, inflation and supply chain problems have meant that, as SMEs, we are not investing enough in new technologies.
The economic development in the Silesian Province was appreciated by Rafał Sonik, President of the Management Board of Gemini Holding, who said:
- I look at Silesia with admiration above all else. What has been achieved in Silesia is an economic miracle that came about through hard work. It is in Silesia that I have invested the most, not in Warsaw or Kraków.
Strategic agreement for Silesia
During the Opening Ceremony a letter of intent was signed concerning cooperation in the field of economic promotion in Poland and abroad. The signatories were: Deputy Marshal of the Silesian Province Leszek Pietraszek, Mayor of Katowice Marcin Krupa, Vice-Chairman of the GZM Management Board Maciej Biskupski, President of the KSSE Management Board Prof. Rafał Żelazny, and President of RIG in Katowice Tomasz Zjawiony.
The aim of the agreement is to strengthen cooperation in attracting investors, jointly organizing economic events, and exchanging information relevant to the development of entrepreneurship.
Prof. dr hab. Rafał Żelazny emphasized:
- In recent years, the SME sector has become a very important player in the Katowice Special Economic Zone S.A. Companies have been informed that the zone is for them, not just for large companies.
The result should be a strengthening of the position of Katowice and the Silesian region on the economic map of Europe, an increase in investment attractiveness, and the creation of new jobs.
Giants and SMEs under one roof – an alliance with Pracodawcy RP
The agreement signed by Joanna Makowiecka-Gatza, President of the Board of Pracodawcy RP, and Tomasz Zjawiony, President of the Regional Chamber of Commerce in Katowice and Vice-President of European Entrepreneurs CEA-PME, covers cooperation in the organization of training courses, conferences, and economic events. The cooperation will also result in activities promoting the development of entrepreneurship and innovation in the region. The partners intend to promote amicable forms of dispute resolution, including arbitration, which is to help companies resolve economic disputes faster and cheaper.
President Joanna Makowiecka-Gatza said:
- Pracodawcy RP is the voice of a nationwide organization, while the Regional Chamber of Commerce in Katowice is the voice of businesses not only from the SME sector. Together, we create a system in which the strength of a giant meets the energy of a start-up.
President of RIG in Katowice Tomasz Zjawiony added:
- Joining Pracodawcy RP is like connecting a turbocharger—it suddenly opens up the possibility of real, not just declarative, cooperation between sectors.
Polish-Saudi Business Forum
International cooperation is an important issue at this year's congress. The “International Talks” thematic track was initiated by the Polish-Saudi Business Forum, whose participants discussed new directions for cooperation between countries. As emphasized, Poland and Saudi Arabia have many similarities, such as the number of inhabitants and the exchange rate of their currencies, which is close to 1:1, and Polish entrepreneurs are increasingly willing to cooperate with Saudi entities.
RIG President Tomasz Zjawiony opened the forum by emphasizing:
- The Saudi market is extremely important to us. Thanks to the recently signed cooperation agreement, we are giving our companies opportunities for further economic development.
Marcin Krupa, Mayor of Katowice, added:
- I am convinced that Polish-Saudi cooperation will result in a win-win situation – beneficial for both sides.
Member of Parlament Ewa Kołodziej noted:
- I have dreamed of a moment like today, when our Saudi friends come to Silesia – the place where Poland's economic development is forged.
Piotr Jabłoński, Managing Director of the International Relations Division at BGK Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, pointed out:
- We have a similar number of inhabitants, our currencies are exchanged at a ratio of almost 1:1, and we are preparing to join the G20 group.
Marek Buczak from PFR added:
- Saudi Arabia is a very attractive market for many Polish companies. It is important to raise awareness of this among Polish entrepreneurs.
New international agreements: Spain, Canada, and Hungary
During the forum, the signing of further international agreements was also announced, which are expected to open up new markets for Silesian entrepreneurs.
As part of the cooperation with the Polish-Spanish Chamber of Commerce, the document was signed by Tomasz Zjawiony, President of RIG in Katowice, Andrzej Szumowski, Vice-President of the Polish-Spanish Chamber of Commerce, and Bartosz Wach, Member of the Polish-Spanish Chamber of Commerce. The agreement provides for the joint organization of trade fairs, economic missions, industry conferences, and the promotion of Polish and Spanish products and services.
Another agreement was concluded with the Polish Canadian Business Association, represented by Michael Kwadrans, director of the association, and Adam Grabowski, member of its board. The cooperation aims to develop trade and investment relations between entrepreneurs from Poland and Canada, especially in the areas of innovation and technology.
The third document was a letter of intent with the Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry, signed by Tomasz Zjawiony,Peter Keszthelyi, vice president of the BCCI, and Dr. Lajos Kupcsok, member of the Chamber's Council. The parties committed to developing Polish-Hungarian relations, facilitating economic exchange, and supporting entrepreneurs in their foreign expansion.
Two days of debates, hundreds of meetings
The anniversary edition of the Congress will last until October 28, featuring over 100 discussion panels, workshops, and networking sessions.