Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice joined in on the celebration of the European City of Science Katowice 2024. As a part of Week of the City March 18, “Quo vadis Katowice?” debate has taken place, combined with an open meeting of Member Companies of the Chamber.
Does the decision of the government of locating the new Ministry of Industry in Katowice mean, that it’s still the industrial hearth of Poland? Is the academic potential of the city and the entire region properly used and promoted, what factors are favorable in the development of innovation and new technologies in Katowice and the Metropolis?
Those and other questions were answered by the invited guests of the debate: dr Marcin Krupa – President of the City of Katowice, prof. dr hab. Sławomir Smyczek – Vice Dean for Education and International Cooperation, University of Economics in Katowice and Beata Drzazga – Entrepreneur, founder of BetaMed S.A. and Vice President of CCI in Katowice.
Tomasz Zjawiony the host of the discussion – President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice, stated that the selection of the guests is not accidental.
–We represent trinity, which is the foundation of development of entrepreneurship. Only cooperation between science, local government and business can provide an effective activization of the entire region’s economy – says Tomaz Zjawiony.
–Combined competences is our strength. We know how important the quality and new technologies are. From my – over 20 – year experience in managing many businesses – I know that betting on innovation in so called soft skills, or in management, building relationships, work with staff is worth it – added Beata Drzazga.
Without a doubt, in dynamically changing world, Katowice Stand before the challenge and opportunity for transformation in innovative science-industry center.
–We are trying to keep up with the times, it’s important to ask a person’s impression, that has been here last 20, 10 or even 5 years ago. They will certainly notice the new spaces and their European quality. Of course, mistakes can happen, but in general, when leading the city with deputies and councilors, I focus on the crucible of sustainable development. It is worth noting that the economic transformation, which resulted in the liquidation of eight mines and three steel mills, passed in Katowice without serious social complications – stressed Mayor Marcin Krupa.
One of the most important components of Katowice’s potential to foster the development of modern industry into the capital of the Silesian Voivodeship is its human capital and academic potential. This is clearly evidenced by the awarding of the title of European City of Science 2024 to Katowice – as the first center in Central and Eastern Europe.
– We received this title for our ability to cooperate. In the competition we applied together – seven Silesian universities with the local government. In Poland, no one sees us as a strong academic center, we want to change that. Thanks to the European City of Science 2024, the whole of Poland and Europe is looking at us, at our research projects or inventions. This is the time for us to take our rightful place on the map of scientific potential. It is worth mentioning, by the way, that a report prepared by Polish economic universities shows that from 1 zloty invested in science we have a 12-13 zloty return -stressed Prof. Slawomir Smyczek.
One of the problems raised during the debate was the exodus of residents, not only from Katowice, but from the entire region. Ways to stop this phenomenon were discussed. The position of the city in the Upper Silesian and Zagłębie Metropolitan Area, its location and level of development play a large role in this.
– Katowice is strong with the Metropolis, and the Metropolis is strong with Katowice. The city is growing into a city – the center of the agglomeration’s business life. I believe that thanks to such investments as the Gaming and Technology Hub, which will be built on the site of the former KWK “Wieczorek”, we will develop and attract big players, companies with technological potential. And consequently, we will become a good place to live and work, including for young people – Dr. Marcin Krupa concluded.
The meeting will also be an opportunity to exchange opinions and comments with the participants of the debate, a chance for networking and to meet new GIS member companies in Katowice. More than twenty entrepreneurs received certificates confirming their membership in the Katowice Chamber.
Welcome new CCI Member Companies:
- Eurokadra S.A.
- SGP – Sorting Group Poland Sp. z o.o.
- PHILOGIC Sp. z o.o.
- Przedsiębiorstwo Górniczo-Budowlane i Produkcyjno-Handlowe “POCH” Sp. z o.o.
- WMB International Sp. z o.o.
- ProPrawni Sp. z o.o.
- Ośrodek Szkolenia Zawodowego „OMEGA” S.C.
- PROEKO ENERGY Sp. z o.o.
- ENERGY SAFE POWER S.A.
- Kancelaria Prawna PAJS Szumny Achtelik Sp. K.
- SoftMaster Doradztwo Komputerowe Ryszard Mikołajczyk
- Konrad Majewski Kancelaria Prawna Majewski i Wspólnicy
- EXPERTS FINANSE Sp. z o.o.
- este.biz Sp. z o.o.
- Wirtualna Asystentka Katarzyna Hummel
- Instytut Wspierania Biznesu Sp. z o.o.
- ECONOMICLAW Kancelaria Radcy Prawnego Joanna Schodzińska
- Kancelaria Radcy Prawnego Agnieszka Dudek
- Polska Grupa Egzekucyjna Sp. z o.o.
- Kancelaria Adwokacka adwokat Marcin Wolski
- SAFE CORP. Mariusz Młyński
- Studio Portretowe Joanna Nowicka
