Initially most investments in the BPO/SSC sector were located in three cities, i.e. Warsaw, Kraków and Wrocław. Then, they spread to the Tricity, Łódź, Poznań and Lublin. Currently, outsourcing is making its presence increasingly felt in other locations, such as Bydgoszcz, Szczecin and Rzeszów. BPO/SSC sector investors are also being courted by Warmia and Mazuria, proving that this regioncan also attract businesses.
“Smaller cities are often viewed as ‘second-choice locations’housing branch offices of the companies that have already become operative in large agglomerations. With time, these satellite cities are likely to become independent business destinations. For instance, Citygroup – one of the leading suppliers of financial services worldwide – runs its operation centre in Olsztyn, while the Scandinavian group Transcom Worldwide opened its first location in the capital city of the Warmia and Mazuria region, and then a branch office in the Tricity”, says Wiktor Doktór, President of the Pro Progressio Foundation.
Olsztyn is setting a favourable example of a location that is consciously expanding its investment potential. The city was rated second in this year’s Doing Business rating by the World Bank Group, which assesses the easiness of conducting business activities. Olsztyn features a sub-zone of the Warmian-Mazurian Special Economic Zone and the Olsztyn Science and Technology Park,where entrepreneurs can benefit from tax reliefs, administrative assistance and professional advisory services. However, these are people who are key to the investment potential of the city. The capital city of the Warmia and Mazuria region is home to six higher education institutions which currently teach over 28,000 students. Knowledge of foreign languages, including especially English and German, is a major advantage of Olsztyn students, which is most valued by western enterprises operating in the BPO/SS sector willing to invest in the city. As well asits competitive workforce, Olsztyn offers attractive business and office space rental costs.
“Olsztyn is a place where dynamism and modernity perfectly match natural values. There you will find everything you need to pursue successful investments: a favourable location, beautiful areas, a well-trained and affordable workforce, convenient conditions for personal development and a friendly business environment”, says Piotr Grzymowicz, Mayor of Olsztyn.
Olsztyn is by no means the only Warmian-Mazurian location that has marked its presence on the investment map of Poland. Some investors also opt for Elbląg, whose strength lies in its excellent location – between Gdańsk and Kaliningrad, on the route leading to Warsaw. It constitutes a satellite location for the Tricity agglomeration, despite being situated in a different voivodeship. This was where the first Warmian-Mazurian technology park was established, providing the place where science meets business. Elbląg houses four higher education institutions. It is one of the few cities in the country offering majors addressed to future BPO/SSC staff, and training professionals wellsuited for this sector. During the meeting “Warmia and Mazuria attract businesses” (Polish: Ciągnie biznes do Warmii i Mazur), organised in Warsaw by the Pro Progressio Foundation, the local authorities of the Warmian-Mazurian Voivodeship, and of Olsztyn and Elbląg, jointly with the Major of Elbląg Witold Wróblewski, stressed that investors could benefit not only from the assistance provided by the Entrepreneurship Support Office, but also from attractive reliefs and facilities available within the Special Economic Zone. General Electric, CSC, Siemens and FLSmitdh Maag Gear are some of the major companies that have already found their place in Elbląg.
“Warmia and Mazuria, previously associated mainly with tourism, have shown its business-oriented face. The major advantages of both Olsztyn and Elbląg include highly educated staffs and agrowing openness of the local authorities to investors. Access to office space has also gradually increased, and the charming landscape of the Mazurian lakes certainly contributes to creating a warm business atmosphere”, says the President of the Pro Progressio Foundation.
Photo © Fundacja Pro Progressio