Dear Readers, I invite you to invest in the Lodz province. Marshall of the Lodz province Witold Stępień

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1 Dear Readers, Lodz, as well as our entire province, is a good place for investment, as is indicated by the economic result and satisfied leaders of firms which continue to multiply their profits in our region. The Lodz province has a population of over 2.5 million and there are about 200 thousand businesses, employing 324 thousand people. We offer many advantages significant to entrepreneurs. The favourable logistic and economic climate of the province is already taken advantage of by well-known business tycoons (Gillette, Bosch-Siemens, Indesit) and the leaders of Polish market (Atlas, Ceramika Pradyż). The most important investment projects in our region are implemented in co-operation with the Lodz Agency of Regional Development. The Agency employs competent and diligent specialists, and helps investors and entrepreneurs meet the requirements of market economy. Many different projects are being carried out by the Agency, e.g. those helping to finance companies access to new technologies or those connected with investment in employees. All is done to make entrepreneurs more competitive. The Lodz Agency of Regional Development is a good partner to make you take advantage of your innovative solutions. I invite you to invest in the Lodz province. Marshall of the Lodz province Witold Stępień The Lodz Agency of Regional Development Ltd. is a business support institution, a provider of services including financial consultancy, legal advice, business advice, support in exports and/or imports, preparation of strategic documents for business and public sector. The Agency has played the role of Regional Financing Entity since 2001, carrying out programmes supporting the financing of new technologies, specialist consulting services, training employees and developments of exports. Acting as the Regional Financing Entity, we have implemented business projects of 1 billion zlotys in the Lodz province in Since 2011, the Lodz Agency of Regional Development has co-operated with Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, acting as a financial intermediary within JEREMIE initiative. Having joint funds of 80 million zlotys in hand, the Agency grants low interest loans and guarantees to micro, small and medium enterprises. Our system of values is based on reliability, confidence, responsibility and a team of committed professionals. Our ambition is to make the Agency a place for the development of every entrepreneur, every business and every business initiative. President of the Lodz Agency of Regional Development Przemysław Andrzejczak 1

2 What s in the guidebook? What are some Lodz-related must-knows? 4 Lodz province in numbers 5 Transportation 7 Business 9 Main players of the Lodz province 10 Trade fairs infrastructure 12 Education 14 Art and culture Business guide 16 About the Agency 18 How to get funds? 19 Support for companies and the public sector 20 Support for small and medium enterprises 21 Measures in implementation Useful info 24 Important business contacts 25 Extract from the Polish law 26 Useful Polish phrases 2

3 City in numbers Lodz province in numbers Transportation Business Main players of the Lodz province Trade fairs infrastructure Education Art and culture Calendar of events 3

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5 Lodz province in numbers Area Population Population in the cities Number of cities sq km ,3 % 43 The largest cities in the Lodz province City population area Lodz Piotrkow Trybunalski Pabianice Tomaszow Mazowiecki Belchatow

6 Transportation Air transportation W. Reymont s Airport This international airport is located in the western part of Lodz, 6 km from the city centre. It is one of the 10 busiest airports in Poland.. Regular flights: Average time of flight: Bremmen Bristol Dortmund Dublin East Midlands Edinburgh Copenhagen Liverpool London Milan Oslo Dortmund Dublin Londyn Mediolan 1h 40 min 2h 50 min 2h 20 min 1h 55 min 6

7 Road transportation LODZ RING North-East of Lodz, near Strykow, two motorways cross: A1 (north-south) and A2 (east-west). Together with S8 and S14 routes they form a ring of motorways and highways around Lodz. GDAŃSK A1 Road distance from Lodz to selected cities in Poland: A2 POZNAŃ Warsaw Gdansk Cracow Poznan Szczecin Wroclaw 120 km 292 km 195 km 200 km 390 km 190 km WROCŁAW A1 WARSZAWA KRAKÓW A2 Road distance from Lodz to selected capital cities in Europe: Amsterdam Athens Berlin Brussels Copenhagen Lisbon London Moscow Rome Vienna 1130 km 2300 km 506 km 1244 km 980 km 3700 km 1565 km 1384 km 1740 km 610 km 7

8 Business In 2008, the Ministry of Regional Development and the Institute of Market Economy Research praised Lodz as one of the best places for investments. In each of the three categories, where Polish cities were assessed, Lodz was among the top three cities. In 2011, during ABSL Excellence Awards, Lodz was distinguished as the Excellent Partner for actions promoting development of modern services in Poland, and co-operation with companies operating on the Polish market. Lodz Special Economic Zone investment value of 3 billion zlotys over 130 companies about 20 thousand employees Lodz Special Economic Zone provides public support of up to 70 per cent of eligible investment costs or two-year labour costs. Among others, the following have invested within the Lodz SEZ: Aleksandrow Lodz Pabianice Kutno Opoczno Ozorkow Procter & Gamble ABB, Amcor, AMG.lab, Bosh-Siemens, Dell, Fujitsu, Gillette, Hutchinson, Indesit, Polfa Aflofarm Mabion Ceramika Paradyż Ceramika Tubadzin 8

9 Business Lodz Regional Scientific and Technology Park Providing services for companies from the following trades: IT Production of modern medical equipment Production of medicines, cosmetics, pharmaceutical components Renewable and new energy sources The production of new materials for the medical and textile trades Environmental protection Biotechnology Nanotechnology Healthy Food Access to training programmes Business consulting and participation in conferences Modern office space BioNanoPark 2 laboratories: Nanostructured and Molecular Biophysics and Biotechnology Industry located in Lodz Regional Scientific and Technology Park providing services for micro, small and medium enterprises and scientific research institutes BioNanoPark is able to certify products and conduct research at every stage of their development 9

10 Main players of the Lodz province Pharmaceutics and Cosmetics Adamed Aflofarm Delia Cosmetics Polfa Łódź Pelion Medana Nepentes Nycomed P&G Gillette Rossmann Household Appliances Hutchinson PHILIPS ABB B/S/H Indesit IT Comarch AMG Net Transition Technologies LSI Software FUJITSU Ericpol DELL BMS Poland rule Financial Banking City Handlowy mbank MultiBank Nordea Opakowania/packaging Amcor Albea Printpack RR Donnelley Sonoco Construction industry Atlas Ceramika Opoczno Ceramika Tubądzin Ceramika Paradyż Euroglas MC Kontrakty Budowlane Nasza Łazienka Fashion industry Gatta Monnari Tatuum Redan Próchnik PAWO Automotive industry Haring, Sew Eurodrive Agri-Food industry Urbanek Indykpol Łowicz Kamis Kawiks Partner Center Packaging Diamond Business Park Łódź, Łódź Bussines Park, SEGRO Bussines Park Łódź, Panattoni Park Łódź East DHL 10

11 Trade fairs infrastructure Not only is Lodz perfect making business contacts, it s also ideal for organising all sorts of trade meetings, conferences, fairs, and other events. Of the many congress halls located in Lodz, the following deserve a special mention: Atlas Arena Sports and entertainment hall for viewers Organizes games in the world championships in different sports, concerts of world-renown stars, fairs, festivals and other events. Regular events World League in Volleyball MMA, KSW events Lodz Wedding Fair Matches of Polish national teams in volleyball and basketball So far, the following international stars have given concerts in Atlas Arena Aleksandrov Ensemble, Depeche Mode, Rammstein, Shakira, 30 Seconds to Mars, Sade, Rihanna, Andrea Bocelli, Elton John, Sting and others 11

12 Trade fairs infrastructure Conference and Exhibition Centre Located in Lodz International Fair with the total area of 13 thousand sqm which includes 6 thousand sqm of exhibition space. Found in the very centre of Lodz, Conference and Exhibition Centre hosts the most significant Polish fairs, such as: International Fair of Electronic Communication INTERTELECOM, Natural Food Fair NATRAFOOD and International Competition for Fashion Designers THE GOLDEN THREAD. Medical University Throughout the year, this prestigious Lodz medical school organises several dozen medicine-related events. The most important, of lately organised, include: Cardiology Imaging Forum, Congress of the Polish Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Oncology Conference and Congress of the Polish Society of Palliative Medicine. 12

13 Education Lodz is an important Polish academic centre. 28 academic entities including 6 public and 22 private over students over MAs and engineers every year Selected academic entities University of Lodz Technical University of Lodz Medical University of Lodz W. Strzemiński Academy of Fine Arts in Lodz G. & K. Bacewicz Academy of Music in Lodz (about 45 thousand students) (about 20 thousand students) (about 7.5 thousand students) L. Schiller National Film, Television and Theatre School The Lodz School of Arts and Design 13

14 Art and culture The art and culture of Lodz develop dynamically and on many levels. Theatres There are There are 10 theatres and musical entities in Lodz. Combined, they provide a yearly output of over 2 thousand performances, shows and concerts. The biggest, and most famous, of them are: The Grand Theatre, A. Rubinstein Lodz Philharmonic and S. Jaracz Theatre. Other theatres include: The New Theatre The Musical Theatre The Common Theatre The Studio Theatre The Logos Theatre The Pinocchio Theatre The Arlekin Theatre The V6 Theatre Museums and art galleries There are also in Lodz which host nearly 500 exhibitions every year. Lodz boasts 10 theatres 33 galleries 20 museums the most important of which are: Museum of the City of Lodz The ms2 Museum of Modern Art, which owns Europe s biggest collection of modern art The Central Museum of Textiles with the Open-air Museum of Lodz Wooden Architecture The Museum of Cinematography in Scheibler s Palace 14

15 About the Agency How to get funds? Support for companies and the public sector Support for small and medium enterprises Measures in implementation 15

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17 About the Agency The Lodz Agency of Regional Development Ltd. was established on 29th November 1991, as a company for the support of micro, small and medium enterprises by the development and implementation of programmes financed with European funds. Since 2001, the Agency has functioned as a Regional Financing Institution, responsible for the service and implementation of programmes used in the financing of investments in new technologies, specialist consulting services, training of employees and development of exports. The Company also operates as a provider of information, proinnovative and financial (loans, guarantees) services and services in winning funds from Operation Programme of Human Capital, Regional Operational Programme and Operation Programme of Innovative Economy (unless acting as the Regional Financing Institution). The Lodz Agency of Regional Development has the status of a big entrepreneur and does not act for profit. Therefore, the Company acts as Business Environment Institution, supporting the economic development of the region. Fields of Agency s Activity FINANCIAL AND LEGAL CONSULTANCY, BUSINESS ADVICE LOANS AND GUARANTEES Loan money to cover the costs of investment projects 2,5% per annum from PLN up to PLN Guarantee up to PLN for trading goods ECONOMIC MISSIONS attracting foreign investors supporting exports and imports promoting the Lodz province EU FUNDS money for the development investment grants export grants development and research grants 17

18 OTHERS ABOUT THE AGENCY Marko Dolzan, the president of Polfa Lodz Since the beginning, our co-operation has been friendly. We started with the implementation of PHARE 2001 and SOP ICE programmes, for which the Lodz Agency of Regional Development Ltd. provided service at the time. Today, it s difficult to find a partner who s more committed than the Agency, especially when considering actions aimed at developing the small and medium enterprises sector, of which Polfa Lodz Ltd. is a part. Therefore we attach much importance to our co-operation with the Agency and gladly use their consultancy in matters of organising economic missions and implementing the projects financed by the EU. Polfa s participation in the economic mission to Shanghai and Kazakhstan and the construction of a new factory in the Lodz SEZ were the first tangible effects of our co-operation. Marco Boudin, a board member of Alliance Francaise Together with the Agency we continually succeed in attracting French, Indian and Taiwanese investors to the Lodz province. Krzysztof Garbacz, the manager of PKO BP s Regional Retail Department From the perspective of owners of micro, small and medium enterprises located in the Lodz province, the co-operation between PKO Bank Polski and the Lodz Agency of Regional Development opens up the possibility of winning development funds. Under the agreement, the Agency guarantees loans granted by PKO BP for entrepreneurs who do not have sufficient collateral. The Agency issues a guarantee for working capital and investment loans, up to PLN the maximum guarantee amount. Such close co-operation will provide many entrepreneurs with a chance to gain greater momentum in the development of their businesses. Ichem LLC the Technical University of Lodz Centre for Research and Production The Technical University of Lodz Centre for Research and Production Ichem LLC received PLN from the EU funds as part of Measure 4.4 IE OP, for the implementation of which, in the Lodz province, the Agency is responsible. The investment covered the development of the plant and the purchase of four innovative production lines for manufacturing dry and liquid dietary supplements. The project allowed ICHEM to develop and modernise its production process with regard to the new forms of packaging (in pharmaceutical standard). Thanks to it we have also significantly increased our production capacity. Włodzimierz Nykiel, The President of the University of Lodz The co-operation between the University of Lodz and the Lodz Agency of Regional Development has been harmonious and amicable. It mainly concerns the Faculty of Law and Administration, but it gradually extends to other departments and this perspective makes us glad. Krzysztof Borkowski, vice chairman of the Lodz Division of Business Centre Club (BCC) Joint organisation of symposia, debates and conferences is a guarantee of discussion which is both focused on the substance and supported by experienced professionals. Paweł Brzeziński, vice president of the Lodz Region Union of Private Employers, Lewiatan The Lodz Region Union of Private Employers, Lewiatan, together with the Lodz Agency of Regional Development advocates favourable law for entrepreneurs. Jan Serafiński, the mayor of Warta Professional co-operation and a thoroughly prepared (together with the Agency) Development Strategy for the Town and Commune of Warta is an additional economic boost for the region. 18

19 How to get funds? For nearly 20 years, the Lodz Agency of Regional Development has run a loan fund for micro, small and medium entrepreneurs investing on the territory of Lodz province. The fund grants preferential loans from PLN up to PLN to cover up to 80% of the net costs of investment projects. The maximum interest is 2% per annum. The loans can be used for the financing of planned investment expenses, such as: Purchase of built-up real properties Construction works Purchase or manufacture of machinery and equipment Purchase of computer facilities and software Purchase of specialised vehicles The maximum repayment period is 60 months, the repayment of the capital can be made with a 3 moths grace. JEREMIE INITIATIVE for the development of the Lodz region. 19

20 Support for companies and the public sector Within the support for companies and the public sector, the DEPARTMENT FOR CONSULTANCY FOR BUSINESS AND PUBLIC SECTOR offers: FOR BUSINESS Services in regard to the preparation and implementation of projects aimed at financing from the EU funds Consultancy for entities applying for permits to carry out business on the territory of the Lodz Special Economic Zone Services in the preparation of environmental impact statements and applications for financial support from the Province Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management Organisation of economic missions FOR LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT UNITS Arrangement of financial means for planned investment and activities Strategic consultancy, including the development of the Local Development Plan (The Strategy of Commune Development) 20

21 Support for small and medium enterprises REGIONALNY PUNKT KONSULTACYJNY The REGIONAL CONSULTING POINT of the Agency, acting within the Polish network of the national Service System for Small and Medium Enterprises provides the following services: administrative and legal aspects of running business possibilities of financial support of projects possibilities to use specialist services other information significant to firms use of reimbursed funds (loans, guarantees, Jeremie initiative) assistance in beginning business activity (diagnosing needs, identification of optimum behaviour, search of finance sources and outlets) care for clients, directing them to specialist services selected together, help in the correct use of the services 21

22 Measures in implementation REGIONAL FINANCING INSTITUTION The Lodz Agency of Regional Development acts as the Regional Financing Institution in the Lodz province, as a partner of the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development, co-operating in the implementation of the Operation Programme Innovative Economy, in the following measures: Measure Support of aimed projects. Support of research and development results Measure 4.2 Support of research and development investments at enterprises Measure 4.4 New investments of high innovative potential Measure 6.1 Passport for exports Measure 8.1 Support for business in electronics Measure 8.2 Support for the implementation of electronic business, B2B type Submeasure Support for obtaining/realisation of industrial property protection In the programme period , the Regional Financing Institution is involved in the implementation of the above mentioned measures by: admitting and formal estimate in measures , 4.4, 6.1, 8.1, 8.2, submeasure content-related evaluation of applications 6.1, 8.1, 8.2, submeasure appeal proceedings an measures , 4.4, 6.1, 8.1, 8.2, submeasure signing of contracts (including the acceptance and the verification of the security), in regard to financed projects changes in the financing contracts termination of contracts accounting for projects and recommendations for payments , 4.4, 6.1, 8.1, 8.2, control of current projects , 4.4, 6.1, 8.1, 8.2, 5.4.1; and additionally in measure

23 Important business contacts Extract from the Polish law Useful Polish phrases 23

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25 Important business contacts Lodz Agency of Regional Development ul. Tuwima 22/ Lodz tel.: (+48) faks: (+48) Lodz Special Economic Zone LLC ul. ks. Tymienieckiego 22/ Lodz Lodz W. Reymont Airport LLC ul. gen. S. Maczka Lodz Lodz Regional Park of Science and Technology ul. Dubois 114/ Lodz Lodz Division of Business Centre Club (BCC) ul. Gdańska 77a lok Lodz krzysztof.borkowski@bcc.org.pl KLUB 500 ul. Piotrkowska Lodz sekretariat@klub500lodz.pl ROTARY CLUB ul. Gdańska 77a lok Lodz lodz@rotary.lodz.pl Lodz Province Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management ul. Tuwima Lodz fundusz@wfosigw.lodz.pl Chamber of Industry and Commerce ul. Tuwima Lodz biuro@izba.lodz.pl Regional Business Chamber in Lodz ul. Więckowskiego 13, II p Lodz rig@rig.lodz.pl Foundation for the Development of Lodz Region ul. Więckowskiego Lodz sekretariat@fundacja.lodz.pl Foundation for the Development of Entrepreneurship ul. Piotrkowska 86, II p (wejście od frontu) fundacja@frp.lodz.pl Lewiatan ul. Piotrkowska Lodz arturm@konsorcjum.com.pl District Court for Lodz City Centre in Lodz XX Commercial Division of the National Court Register ul. Pomorska Lodz tel.: (+48) gospodarczy@lodz.sr.gov.pl 25

26 Extract from the Polish law Registration of individual business The procedure of business activity is begun with registration. Individual entrepreneurs and partners of civil partnerships are registered in the Central Business Record and Information, run by a minister supervising the issues of the business (the enterprises were registered in Business Registers at municipal offices before). Applications are filled on special forms. Such an application is also a motion for the statistical number, enrolment at the financial office and social insurance office (Social Insurance Institute or Agricultural Social Insurance Cash Register). The form of taxation can also be applied for. VAT registration must be carried out separately later. All these acts must precede the first revenue. The process of company registration, step by step. 1. Idea for a company. (What is the best company to start? What are my chances for success?) 2. The choice of activity. (What legal form of company s activity to choose? Comparison of self-employment, partnerships, private partnerships, companies and trading companies) 3. Enrolment at the Central Business Record. (Application form CEIDG-1) 4. Enrolment at the Revenue Office. (Tax Identification Number and VAT registration applications, choice of taxation form) 5. Preparation of the company s stamp. 6. Opening of the company s bank account. (Review of top business bank accounts) 7. Enrolment at the Social Insurance Institute. (Registration of employees for insurance if you employ) 8. Other agencies involved in the company s registration process. (Sanitary and Epidemiological Station, the National Labour Inspectorate, etc.) 9. Launching of the company s website 10. and preparation of corporate identity. 26

27 TYPES OF PARTNERSHIPS Partnerships and trading companies a. Registered partnership A partnership which operates a business under its own business name and is not another commercial company and is owned by at least two partners. A registered partnership is a defective legal person and can acquire rights under its business name, including the ownership of real properties and other rights in rem, income obligations, sue and be sued. b. Professional partnership A professional partnership is created by partners for the purpose of pursuing a profession in a partnership which operates a business under its own business name. Each partner must be qualified to pursue a profession, like a pharmacist, a barrister, an accountant. Only natural persons can be partners in the partnership. c. Limited partnership A limited partnership is a partnership whose purpose is to operate a business under its own business name. At least one partner is liable to the creditors of the partnership without limitation (the general partner) and the liability of at least one partner (the limited partner) is limited. d. Limited joint-stock partnership The purpose of a limited joint-stock partnership is to pursue a business under its own name. At least one partner is liable to the creditors of the partnership without limitation (the general partner) and at least one partner is a shareholder. A shareholder is not liable for the obligations of the partnership. Private partnerships Private partnership is not subject to any rights and obligations, has no assets partners, who are entrepreneurs, participate in trade and any assets are owned by the shareholders and represent their joint property. USEFUL TERMS Organisational unit not having legal personality A civil and legal entity, not having legal personality but having legal capacity (under the Act). Legal personality The quality of being subject to rights and obligations and carry out legal actions on one s own behalf. Legal person A permanent fusion of human and material resources that carries out specific tasks as a separate organizational unit equipped by law (civil law) in legal personality. Legal capacity The quality of having rights and legal obligations. 27

28 Useful Polish phrases Polite expressions good morning, good afternoon dzień dobry good evening dobry wieczór good night dobranoc good bye dowidzenia hello, hi! cześć! bye! pa! here you are proszę please proszę thank you dziękuję thanks dzięki you're welcome proszę bardzo, nie ma za co I m sorry przepraszam, przykro mi excuse me! przepraszam! cheers! (as a toast) na zdrowie! Time expressions yesterday wczoraj today dzisiaj jutro - tomorrow week tydzień miesiąc - month year rok century wiek hour godzina quater - kwadrans minute minuta three days ago trzy dni temu in three days za trzy dni Formal conversations Good morning. I m Ewa Głogowska. Dzień dobry. Jestem Ewa Głogowska. Good morning. I m Tom Bergmann. Dzień dobry. Jestem Tom Bergmann. Can you repeat that, please? Czy może pani powtórzyć? I don t understand. Nie rozumiem. Are you from Poland? Czy pani jest z Polski? Yes. And you? Where are you from? Tak. A pan? Skąd pan jest? I m from England. Now I m living in Poland. Jestem z Anglii. Teraz mieszkam w Polsce. You speak Polish very well! Pan mówi świetnie po polsku! Questions how? jak? what? co? how many? jak dużo? kto? - who? where? gdzie? when? kiedy? why? dlaczego? which? który? Sentences Do you speak English? Czy mówi pan / pani po angielsku? I don't speak english well. Nie mówię dobrze po angielsku. I don't understand. Nie rozumiem. Can you speak slowly, please? Proszę mówić powoli. Can you repeat that, please? Czy możesz powtórzyć? I don't know. Nie wiem. How are you? Jak się masz? Nice to meet you. Miło mi cię poznać. What's your name? Jak masz na imię? My name is Kevin. Mam na imię Kevin. My name is David Atkinson. Nazywam się David Atkinson. Can you spell it? Czy możesz to przeliterować? Where are you from? Skąd jesteś? I'm from Poland. Jestem z Polski. Where do you live? Gdzie mieszkasz? I live in Warsaw. Mieszkam w Warszawie. 28