Poland: Battle over special economic zones

Finance Minister Jacek Rostowski against extending the lifetime of economic zones.

Economy Minister Janusz Piechociński wants to extend the lifetime of Poland's special economic zones (SEZs) from 2020 to 2026. On Monday, he is set to make his case at a conference called especially to discuss the matter. The zones are a major selling point when the country makes its case to investors, and some 250,000 jobs have been created in them since they first bagan operating in 1998.

However, Finance Minister Jacek Rostowski has spoken out against the move. Mr Rostowski argues that the zones don't always serve their purpose -- claiming that grocers, laundry services and trophy-makers (some of the investments currently in Polish SEZs) are not the types of firms that should be receiving public aid.

He also said that the decision to extend the zones' lifetime should only be made after a careful analysis of their influence on regional development, reducing unemployment and attracting new investments.

There are currently 14 SEZs in Poland, the sum of their investments since their inception is valued at zł.83.9 billion (as of the end of Q3 2012).The countries that invest the most in SEZs are: Poland, Germany, the US, the Netherlands, Japan and Italy.

Mr Piechociński is the newly appointed leader of the Polish People's Party, the minority partner in the coalition government. Mr Rostowski is a member of the ruling Civic Platform party, and considered a close associate of Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Both politicians hold the position of deputy prime minister.

Poland A.M.