Upper Silesian Agency for Entrepreneurship and Development Ltd. – Project Partner was hosting the representatives of all Partners during the study visit on 17 and 18 October 2017. During the stay in the region, we presented our good practice. The first one regarded functioning of Silesian Investors’ and Exporters’ Service Centre operated by the Marshal Office of Silesia in Katowice. During this presentation, representatives of the Centre highlighted the rules of its operation, sources of financing and methods of cooperation with local government, which are finally home for given investments. There was also presented a network of service center delivering consultancy and support for enterprises willing to export their products.
The second practice was presented by researchers from the Silesian University of Technology, Faculty of Organization and Management – member of Silesian LSG, who proposed a systematic approach to identification and selection of foreign markets. For illustrative purposes, such approach was presented on the example of mining and machinery industry, for which potential foreign markets were indicated. It was agreed that the method is very promising so it is worth considering to develop it and test in other countries. The first half of a day of the visit took place 320 m below ground in the former coal mine “Guido” in Zabrze.
The third part of the visit was presentation of the mechanisms of functioning of Katowice Special Economic Zone – member of Silesian LSG, which was awarded the title of the Global Free Economic Zone in 2015 and Regional Winner in 2017. Representatives of Gliwice Sub-zone gave a presentation concerning rules of investing in the zone and eligibility for tax exemptions for which the enterprises may apply. After this presentation participants of the visit were brought to the site visit to Gliwice Sub-zone, which is home to many companies, mainly from automotive sector. During the second day we all took part in the opening ceremony of the European Congress of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Katowice, which is organized by the Regional Chamber of Commerce – member of Silesian LSG. During this huge event, the Partners took part in Silesia Expo Fair and also in a dedicated session on internationalization, which was a part of the agenda of the congress.
After the visit in Silesia Project Partners departed to Wielkopolska for the second part of the tour in Poland. We do hope that good practice will be interesting to the LSG members from other countries.
