Katowice has once again confirmed its role as one of Poland’s key economic centers. During the Economic Closing of the Year, organized by the Regional Chamber of Commerce in Katowice, representatives of business, science, and public administration summarized the past year and identified the most important challenges facing the Polish and Silesian economies.
A year of investment, transformation, and cooperation
The event began with networking, after which Tomasz Zjawiony, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice, welcomed the guests. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of building business relationships and creating a space conducive to real cooperation between entrepreneurs.
– We want to give entrepreneurs tools that will allow them to meet potential partners and customers so that this can turn into the business you care about – he said, pointing to the first edition of the eCommerce Business Innovation event as an example of a new format supporting business development.
Katowice among the fastest growing cities in Europe
One of the key points of the program was the speech by Jarosław Makowski, Vice President of Katowice, who presented data confirming the strong economic position of Poland and the region.
– From Katowice’s point of view, this year is a really good time. It is a time of large, strategic investments for the city. It is no coincidence, then, that the Financial Times devoted an article to the capital of the metropolis, Katowice, which presented us as a model city undergoing transformation – he emphasized.
The vice president recalled the investments to be carried out in 2025, including the revitalization of the Wieczorek coal mine, the construction of a gaming and technology hub, the Jerzy Kukuczka Mountaineering Center, and the development of transport infrastructure. He also noted that the success of Katowice’s transformation would not have been possible without the activity of entrepreneurs.
A knowledge-based economy is the key to the future
Prof. Marek Gzik, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, also spoke about the challenges facing the region. He pointed to the need for further economic transformation in the Silesian Province, which for decades has based its development on mining and heavy industry.
– We must focus on a modern knowledge-based economy, and the Silesian Province is a very strong academic and scientific center. This is confirmed, among other things, by Katowice’s title of European City of Science – he noted.
The deputy minister drew attention to the growing role of cooperation between business and science, as well as to the increased funds available, among others, at the National Center for Research and Development, which are intended to support innovation and investment.
Investments drive economic growth
The investment outlook was presented by Dr. Rafał Żelazny, professor at the University of Economics, President of the Management Board of the Katowice Special Economic Zone. He emphasized that despite the difficult economic environment, the past year brought very good results.
– Over the past year, PLN 1.9 billion was allocated to investments, and 75% of the decisions to provide support were for the small and medium-sized enterprise and micro-enterprise sector. This is a very good result and better than last year – he concluded.
The president of the Katowice Special Economic Zone pointed out that it is precisely the investments made by entrepreneurs that are the key factor in long-term economic growth.
AI, future skills, and social security
The event also included a look into the future. Dr. Aleksander Łaszek from Deloitte reassured attendees that artificial intelligence will not take away jobs, but may help fill staffing gaps resulting from unfavorable demographic trends. Katarzyna Bonsz, Director of BCU ZDZ in Katowice, presented the development of the Skyport Industry Skills Center, the first such center in Poland.
A strong and moving social accent was introduced by Rafał Sonik, entrepreneur and philanthropist, who drew attention to demographic challenges and child safety.
– We have Orlik sports facilities, halls, beautiful congress venues, but now our primary task in a joint effort should be to help children be safer. Unfortunately, we are inevitably aging, and this will have terrible consequences. We are the 20th largest economy in the world, but let’s hope this is not the peak – he appealed.
Business finale of the year
During the meeting, awards were also presented to the best participants of the Katowice Academy of Entrepreneurial Development, and new member companies of the RIG in Katowice were officially welcomed. The event ended with networking over festive refreshments.
We officially welcomed new RIG Member Companies in Katowice
Odlewnia Metali Kolorowych Kowala Sp. J.
The company manufactures aluminum alloy castings using pressure technology and CNC machining. The family business, with its strong craft traditions, dates back to 1986. Subsequent generations have focused on improving the production process—from the mold to the finished casting—and on complying with increasingly stringent quality standards.
ul. Targowa 15a I 43-520 Chybie
BLDG Dotacje Sp. z o.o.
The company supports entrepreneurs in the process of introducing new products and services to the market, from designing concepts and business plans, analyzing financing options, modeling processes, and developing documentation, to investment services, obtaining financing, and support in its implementation.
ul. Zabłocie 43A I 30-701 Kraków
Fundacja Gramy Do Końca
The foundation provides support in three key areas: sports, helping the poor, and supporting people with disabilities, with a particular focus on children and former athletes. It organizes regular charity runs, such as the Street Mile, the St. Nicholas Charity Mile, and the Park Five.
ul. T. Kościuszki 63 I 41-503 Chorzów
Kancelaria Adwokacka i Mediacyjna Adwokat Marek Kułak
The office specializes in civil, family, medical, vetting, copyright, and international commercial law cases. Attorney Marek Kułak, PhD, is the author of the only doctoral dissertation in Poland entitled “Determination of unequal shares in the joint property of spouses in civil proceedings” and several publications on family and civil law and civil proceedings.
ul. Słowackiego 41-43, lok 24 I 40-093 Katowice
The Economic Closing of the Year confirmed that cooperation between business, science, and local government remains a key foundation for the further development of Katowice and the entire Silesian region.
