A special economic zone (SEZ) is a separated and uninhabited part of a country’s territory where business activity may be conducted under preferential terms.
Special economic zones in Poland were established to accelerate regional economic growth, utilize greenfield infrastructure and assets and create new jobs. The zones attract both Polish and foreign investors. A special economic zone (SEZ) is a separated and uninhabited part of territory where business activity may be conducted under preferential terms within the framework of state aid provided by the country. In order for investors to qualify for state aid, they must obtain a permit to operate in a SEZ..
Incentives and exemptions for investors in special economic zones:
• Income tax exemption,
• State aid is limited by the amount of eligible expenditures incurred by the investor and the intensity level,
• Eligible expenditures of a new SEZ investment pursuant to SEZ rules (cost of new investments/ creation of new workplaces),
• real estate tax exemption,
• the procedure of granting permits within the territory of a SEZ is carried out in the form of a tender or negotiation initiated with a public invitation.
Katowice SEZ main tasks:
• promotion of the region and searching for new investors;
• sales of properties included in the Zone;
• granting the permits to run business activity within the Zone that give the right to income tax relief;
• help investors run their business activity – legal and tax advisory service.
Resources needed
Operation of SEZ (as state aid provided by the country) in Poland is regulated by legal acts of various ranks: principles for all SEZ and individual regulations in specific SEZ. Granting permits within the SEZ is carried out in the form of a tender or negotiation initiated with a public invitation.
Evidence of success
Katowice SEZ has acquired over 250 businesses and employed over 56 thousand staff. Investment at level of almost 6 billion €. The SEZ is particularly attractive for investors from the automotive sector - selected investors: General Motors Manufacturing Polska, General Motors Powertrain Polska, Fiat Powertrain Technologies Polska, Nexteer Automotive Polska, TRW Braking Systems Polska, Saint–Gobain Glass Polska, Eaton Automotive Systems, Tenneco Automotive Eastern Europe.
Potential for learning or transfer
The Special Economic Zone is a significant solution in the field of attracting of foreign investors by ensuring them preferential terms of running their businesses. SEZ accelerates regional economic growth, utilizes greenfield infrastructure and assets and create new jobs.
Except of the main above mentioned tasks, SEZ supports investors in following tasks:
• active mediation in property market dealings in the Zone surroundings,
• consulting services and training related to special economic zone operation,
• maintaining the database of potential contractors, as a support for the investments to be carried out within KSEZ,
• “one-stop-shop” (comprehensive investor support),
• office and storage space rental,
• support in the scope of regional cooperation,
• human resource consulting and human resources training,
• services in scope of occupational health.
Tags: Support, SME, Internationalisation
