By: Marek Grzybowski

Pomeranian Special Economic Zone – Investment and innovation zone in the Baltic Sea region

In 2021 we issued 90 decisions on support, thanks to which we were placed second among special economic zones in Poland. The value of the declared investment outlays exceeded about PLN 3 billion. Companies from the ICT and biotechnology sectors have found their place in the Gdańsk Science and Technology Park managed by the Zone. The value of de minimis aid transferred in 2021 exceeded PLN 1.5 million.

 3 questions for Przemysław Sztandera, President of the Pomeranian Special Economic Zone  is an exclusive interview for eBlue Economy

Marek Grzybowski : The Pomeranian Special Economic Zone issued a record number of decisions on business support in 2021. What is the total value of the declared investment outlays in PSEZ? How many new jobs have been created?

Przemysław Sztandera: 

In 2021 we issued 90 decisions on support, thanks to which we were placed second among special economic zones in Poland. The value of the declared investment outlays exceeded PLN 2.96 billion. New projects contributed to the creation of 633 jobs and the maintenance of 8.8 thousand jobs. This is the best result in the history of the Company. In the Baltic Port of New Technologies, companies from the shipbuilding, offshore, logistics, and sea shipping industries conduct their business activities.

Marek Grzybowski : What are the main tasks of the Pomeranian Special Economic Zone? The Science and Technology Park is active in PSEZ. Which companies operate here? What projects are implemented by the companies operating in this place?

Przemysław Sztandera:

Our main task is to support entrepreneurs by offering tax releases for new investments. We operate within the Polish Investment Zone, it is a continuation of the idea of ​​special economic zones, but in a much-extended form. The act introduced in 2018 lifted territorial restrictions, offering support in all regions of Poland, and the conditions of support are adapted to the possibilities for both large corporations and small family businesses. In addition, we provide comprehensive services at every stage of the investment implementation – from assistance in choosing a location, to support in finding the right staff. We also provide post-investment care, including consulting, promotion, networking, and specialized training and workshops.

In order to meet the needs of the labor market, we have implemented the project “Industrial Robot Programming Center”. It assumes the creation of educational centers supporting the development of industry 4.0. In IRPC, it is possible to gain practical skills in operating industrial robots and other modern technologies present in many industries. Thanks to this, it is possible to raise competencies related to automation and robotics of students and adults in an innovative way, adapted to the needs of the labor market.

Companies from the ICT and biotechnology sectors have found their place in the Gdańsk Science and Technology Park managed by the Zone. The value of de minimis aid transferred in 2021 exceeded PLN 1.5 million. The park implements numerous acceleration projects, including the “Lifescience Competition” in cooperation with Polpharma Biologics S.A., which supports startups in the biotechnology, life-science, and ICT sectors. It has also started the implementation of an international incubation program as a part of a project financed by the Horizon 2020 program, which aims to develop and increase the competitiveness of European startups and SMEs. The Space4Makers is also very active in the structure of the GSTP. In this space belonging to a wider initiative of the Technology Incubator, in addition to the prototyping environment and equipped workshop stands, you can receive mentors’ support, training, and the opportunity to establish new business relations.

Marek Grzybowski : The Baltic Port of New Technologies operates in the Pomeranian Special Economic Zone? What is the economic activity taking place in this area? On what scale is the maritime business developing here?

Przemysław Sztandera: 

In the Baltic Port of New Technologies, companies from the shipbuilding, offshore, logistics and sea shipping industries conduct their business activities. One of the new companies, which joined the group of BPNT tenants and investors of the Pomeranian Special Economic Zone last year was SEMCO ETP RENEWABLES, which, in cooperation with Semco Maritime A / S, will open a service center here. The company’s offer will focus on services introducing innovative solutions and technologies aiming to increase efficiency and safety, as well as to reduce energy consumption in logistics processes related to offshore wind energy. The implementation of the project covers the employment of 40 new employees to provide specialized services.

The company Scan 3d Szymon Bloch, which offers comprehensive and innovative measuring solutions in 3D technology around the world, has also joined the group of PSEZ investors, located in the Baltic Port of New Technologies. The company cooperates with the research centers in Poland in order to develop new and improved measurement systems and to solve issues concerning the most difficult projects.