Executives from three Polish industrial clusters, Aviation Valley, Miasteczko Multimedialne and ICT Pomerania, met at a conference in Warsaw Aug. 30 to discuss the benefits of such projects. The conference, entitled "Industrial Clusters in Poland: A Synergy Effect," was held at the press center of the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency (PAIiIZ). Participants included officials from the Ministry of the Economy and the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP).

Cluster managers talked about their successes in attracting investment and foreign companies. PARP's Tomasz Sypuła discussed his agency's support for the clusters through a pilot program and the Innovative Economy Operational Program. Bronisława Kowalak from the Ministry of the Economy spoke about the impact that the clusters have had on Poland's economy.

"Industrial clusters facilitate cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and experience among entrepreneurs," said PAIiIZ President Paweł Wojciechowski. "The concentration of many companies from similar sectors in one region creates a synergy effect that improves the economy's competitiveness."

A cluster comprises a group of companies and institutions linked to them, including local schools and administration. Clusters contribute to companies' productivity and competitiveness, and they also stimulate innovation. They help create new jobs on the regional labor market.
The PAIiIZ is just one of many institutions that support industrial clusters in Poland. Since August 2007, the agency has been supporting innovation as part of the Innovative Economy Operational Program. This includes support for technological parks, where clusters are often located. European Union funds contribute to the development of both industry clusters and technology parks.

D.G.