Lublin
Lublin is a city of 350,000 people, is located in the east of Poland, at the northern edge of the highland region of the same name. The airport is just 10 km from the city centre. The city is currently trying, to attract new entrepreneurs, which is why almost PLZ 4,5 billion of UE funding is to be spent in Lublin and the surrounding voivodeship over the next 6 years on improving local infrastructure and introducing innovative solutions. With this founding, the city is expected to become a highly attractive economic location.
Attractive industries
The voivodeship in one of Poland`s largest and most important agricultural regions, and is home to some 2,000 companies producing organic foods. The foodstuffs industry has priority here, and its development is supported by science and research centres located in the city itself. Students here often choose food technology or biotechnology as their major subject. In this sector companies such as sugar producer Solidarność, the brewery Perla – Browary Lubelskie, and Stock (a producer and distributor of alcoholic drinks) habe all invested in the region in the past. The Major of Lublin, Krzysztof Żuk, explained the benefits of his home city: “The single most important benefit are our people, with their outstanding potential. We produce 20,00 graduates every year, ready to start working immediately. Lublin is a city of young well-qualified people. They can provide low labour costs, making running a business up to 30% cheaper than in other Polish cities, which is something investors are struggling to overcome. Lublin has enormous potential. We are aware of our limits, but are prepared to be frank about those, and want to talk to businesspeople. For our part, we can offer good working conditions for practically all industries, and stimulate cooperation with the colleges.”
Other sectors include the automotive industry and mechanical engineering, with more than 10,000 people attending courses associated with these fields. Scientists from Lublin Polytechnic College have developed an hydrogen-powered car. The diesel hybrid engine is another idea of a doctorate student at the College, Michał Biały. “Lublin offers huge opportunities compared to larger cities, which have become saturated by major investments in recent years. Entrepreneurs coming here can expect to find low prices, which is nothing to be ashamed of. The city has huge cultural and social potential. It certainly has more to offer than its current image would seem to suggest,” says Ryszard Petru, a Consultant of the Voivodeship Authority for Economic Affairs.
Lublin is a university city, which can develop specialist services in the field of EDP and business with its colleges, and offers over 100,000 square metres of office space, with rents ranging between EUR 9 and EUR 12 per square metre.
The city also opening up further areas for office space. Matthias Rahm from German Embassy is convinced of city`s benefits: “Innovative strength, ideas, an interesting partner and a range of future industries – that is a concept for Lublin. One should be investing in certain sectors in advance, those that look like developing well in years to come. Lublin is characterized by a very good atmosphere, commitment and a high level of motivation amongst its young people.”
Two locations with different potential, therefore, each with its own benefits, which could attract investors from different industries. Both are located far from the hustle and bustle of the major cities, and enjoy an extraordinary climate and beautiful landscape. The are the “perfect locations” – not just for business, but also for life n a quiet town.