35 years of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice. This is a unique moment to look back at the history of the Chamber, which has continuously supported entrepreneurs and contributed to the development of the local economy since 1990.
35 years – a history full of challenges and successes
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice was founded in 1990, during the difficult period of economic transformation in Poland. From the very beginning, its goal was to create a platform for cooperation between entrepreneurs, government and local administration and academia to jointly face market and social challenges.
Over these more than three decades, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice has played an important role in the modernization of the region, especially in the economic transition associated with the transformation of Silesia. The Chamber’s activities, which include a number of training courses, conferences, economic missions and cooperation with foreign partners, have contributed to strengthening the region’s position on the map of Poland and Europe.
Thanks to the Chamber’s activities, nearly 12,000 companies a year benefit from various forms of support – from training and consulting to initiatives promoting innovation and international cooperation, and our community is already more than 30,000 people. A very important point in the activities of RIG in Katowice are networking meetings, where representatives of Member Companies can freely exchange experiences.
Anniversary that inspires action
The 35th anniversary is a time to look back at past achievements and thank all those who have contributed to the development of the Chamber and the Polish economy. In the coming weeks, we are planning a series of events that will provide an opportunity to reflect on how the economy of the Silesian region has changed and what role the Chamber has played in these changes. These will include:
HBI (Health Business Innovations) – a congress dedicated to innovation in the health sector, which attracts experts and entrepreneurs from the biotechnology, medicine and medical IT solutions industries.
INTO (Industry In Transition Congress) – an event on industrial transformation, digitization and decarbonization, focusing on the challenges of the future of industry in Poland and around the world with the participation of national and local governments.
The anniversary is also a time to strengthen ties with our existing partners and emphasize the importance of cooperation between business, government and academia.
Activities for entrepreneurship and innovation
In addition to supporting the development of the SME sector, the Katowice Chamber is also a leader in activities for modern technologies, digitization, startups and innovative companies. RIG is systematically involved in projects that help companies implement modern technologies, raise funds for innovation and cooperate with R&D centers.
Milestones of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice
The most important year for RIG was, of course, 1990, when the Regional Chamber of Commerce in Katowice began operations, thanks to President Tadeusz Donocik. It was then that “Free Market” was created – a few-page black-and-white newsletter, later transformed into an opinion-forming magazine aimed at the business community called “Business HUB,” which is still published today. Just a year later, in 1991, the Arbitration Court was established and the first international agreement was signed. The breakthrough year for the Chamber was 1997, when a historic building at 15 Opolska Street in Katowice was purchased, which became the headquarters of the GIS and still serves this function today.
35th anniversary – we look to the future
The RIG in Katowice, while celebrating its 35th anniversary, does not stop at the achievements of the past. The Chamber is constantly engaged in new projects and initiatives that will shape the future of the economy of the Silesian region and Poland. The future of the region depends on innovation, entrepreneurship and cooperation. The Chamber, as an institution of economic self-government, aspires to become one of the main catalysts of these changes, promoting the ideas of modern economy, sustainable development and international cooperation.
We look forward to celebrating together!
We cordially invite you to follow our activities during this special time. We will be sure to share with you information about the planned events that will accompany the celebration of this anniversary. The main celebration of the 35th anniversary will take place at the RIG Community Gala in Katowice – October 27 this year at the headquarters of the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra.
Thank you for being with us for 35 years. We are happy that together we can create a community and shape the future of our economy!
With best regards,
Tomasz Zjawiony
President of the Chamber of Commerce and industry in Katowice