AALEP CHAIR MEETS WITH POLISH MINISTER OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Polish Ministry for Regional Development organized ‘The Polish Village’ from 10-12 October in Brussels presenting the level of implementation of 16 regional operational programmes of the 16 Polish regions: Lower Silesian (Dolnoslaskie), Kuyavian-Pomeranian (Kujawsko-Pomorskie), Lublin (Lubelskie), Lubusz (Lubuskie), Lodz (Lodzkie), Lesser Poland (Malopolskie), Mazovian (Mazowiecki), Opolskie, Podkarpackie, Podlaskie (Podlaskie), Pomeranian (Pomorskie); Silesian (Slaskie), Swietokrzyskie, Warmian-Mazurian (Warminsko-Mazurskie), Greater Poland (Wielkopolskie) and West Pomeranian (Zachodniopomorskie).

The open-air exhibition portrays the effort and involvement of local and regional Polish authorities in the adaptation of Cohesion Policy into practical investments and undertakings that bring advantages to the local populations and reinforce the competitive edge of the regions. This is all the more significant since for the next budget Poland would like to direct an even stronger stream of funds to the regional level. AALEP was able to meet with Ms. Elzbieta Bienkowska, Polish Minister of Regional Development as well as the representatives of the 16 Polish regions and offered its help in the establishment of closer relations with the regional authorities. This is all the more important as Polish regions do not have a sufficient strong presence in Brussels and lack critical human and financial resources to lobby the EU institutions effectively.  

The Polish economy has recorded some of the strongest growth rate in Europe (over 4%) Among the voivodeships most attractive for investments are: Silesian, Masovian and Malopolska as well as Lower Silesian, Wilkopolska and Lodz. The next group of voivodeships include Pomeranian, West Pomeranian, Opole and Lubusz. They exibit diversified economic structures, good housing conditions and well developed industrial background but they need to develop the transportation infrastructure and their markets.

Kuyavian-Pomeranian, Warman-Mazurian, Swietokrzyskie, Lubin and Podlazskie need to develop their transportation infrastructure. They also have a small work force. The reasons for these problems may be traced back in history to the Russian partition.