Organization open for everyone, who cares about promotion of business, enterpreneurship, economy, science, culture and sports.
We are pleased to announce that the publication of the European Business Club Poland for 2019 is available in the electronic version. To read the publications of particluar years, please select the DOCUMENTS tab on the main bar, and then click the E-PUBLISHING brick. After opening, please select 2019 or earlier years – 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
EBC Poland publication 2019/2020.
We cordially invite you to visit the link, please enjoy the reading!
The 4th Polish-British Belvedere Forum took place on 3-4 March 2020 in London. Originally created in 2017, the Belvedere Forum is the most important non-governmental platform for Polish-British dialogue, that is attended by representatives of civil society, politicians, entrepreneurs, experts, scientists and NGOs from both countries. The goal of the Forum is to strengthen mutual relations through debates and discussions on political, economic and social issues. This year’s Forum was organized by two think tanks: Chatham House – Royal Institute of International Affairs and the Polish Institute of International Affairs. The forum was chaired by prof. Zdzisław Krasnodębski, and on the British side by Sir Malcolm Rifkind. The European Business Club Poland was represented by its President, Mr. Janusz Cieślak.
The theme of the plenary session of the first day of the Forum was “Poland and the United Kingdom: bilateral ties in a changing political context” with an attempt to address the issues:
On the second day of the Forum, the main topic that was raised during the plenary session was “Sovereignty and Identity in Great Britain and Poland”. Also, much attention was paid to how the European Union will look like without Great Britain and how their relations will look like. The Minister for European Affairs, Konrad Szymański, who was present at the Forum, said that in Brussels there is a widespread belief that without Great Britain, which was inhibiting integration, managing the Union will be simple, but this belief – as he emphasized – is wrong. Szymański thinks that the EU faces the need to answer very serious questions – about the future of the economic model in a situation of increasingly stronger protectionist tendencies, about the scope of its responsibility for matters outside its borders and about the budget, because its reduction, which some countries strive for, means – as Szymański emphasized – reducing the role of the Union.
Sir Malcolm Rifkind, a former member of Margaret Thatcher and John Major governmets, co-chairman of the Belvedere Forum Steering Committee, said there was no desire, either in the British government, in the Conservative Party, or in the UK, for the EU fragmentation. For the same reasons that Winston Churchill called for the unification of Europe in 1946, stipulating that Britain would probably not be part of it – because a stable Europe is in Britain’s interest.
The next, 5th Forum will be held in 2021 in Poland.
On December 19, 2019, representatives of the European Business Club Poland: Krzysztof Walendziewski, Vice President and Bożena Banasik – Cieślak were guests on Christmas Eve for Veterans organized at the Polish Camp in London by the British Poles Portal and the European Freedom Forum. The Christmas Eve meeting for veterans and veterans of the Polish armed forces living in Great Britain was to celebrate their heroism and integrate the Polish community.
Among the guests, there were also members of the Carpathian Rifle Brigade, representative of the 1st Armored Division commanded by General Stanisław Maczek, a pilot from 300 Squadron, representatives of the Home Army, and refugees from the Holocaust extermination.
One of the most important moments of the ceremony was the handing the promotion to the rank of second lieutenant granted by the President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda to the wounded in the battle of Ancona, 95-year-old Antoni Grudni, a soldier of the 2nd Corps of General Anders; it was handed by the military attaché Colonel Artur Miśkiewicz. It was very touching moment, because none of the gathered – including the person concerned – knew about the officer’s nomination. Furthermore, there were even more emotional moments: Colonel Otton Hulacki had turned 98 six days before and everyone present at the event stood up and sang “200 years” (Polish version of Happy Birthday) loudly and in a very respectful manner. The birthday person, who had come all the way from Isle of Wight, was very moved.
The youngest veteran at the event was 87 years old, and the oldest veteran is just 98 years old. For them, such celebrations are a unique opportunity to meet with friends, often from the same unit (for example, Otton Hulacki was together with Antoni Grudzień in the 2nd Polish Corps of General Władysław Anders, and he has known bombardier Jan Stangrycko for over 70 years).
The evening was concluded with a theatre performance titled “Artists on the Trail” by the Comedy Theatre, which came all the way from Cracow to London. Also, the band sang “Czerwone Maki na Monte Cassino” and bunches of Lviv, veteran songs with special dedication to the soldiers of General Władysław Anders unit (at least half of whom were born or raised in Lviv).
It was a beautiful evening. In addition to the official ceremonies, EBC Poland representatives had a number of talks not only about our history, but also about the possibilities of developing business cooperation. They also invited their interlocutors to the Gala awards ceremony, which will take place on February 1, 2020 at the Royal Castle in Warsaw. Leaving the hospitable Polish Center and saying goodbye to the organizers of Christmas Eve, they thanked for the invitation and congratulated for a successful patriotic meeting, that united different generations of Poles living in Great Britain.
From 17th to 20th of May 2018 an annual congress “Poland the Great Project” was held. The Congress is a civic event which is a meeting of expert and opinion making communities. It is being held since 2011 every time gathering a group of distinguished thinkers, important participants of public life as well as a vast audience participating in the debates. The aim of the Congress is to discuss the strategic development challenges standing before Poland and Europe.
Just like last year Janusz Cieślak – President of the European Business Club Poland was a participant of this year’s edition. He was especially interested in panels concerning the issues of economy and Poland’s role and place in the European Union.
Maciej Kot, Stefan Hula, Dawid Kubacki and Kamil Stoch won bronze medals during the Monday Olimpic competition at the Big Ski Jump in the Korean Pyongchang. It is the first in history olympic team medal for Polish ski jumpers. In Saturday Kami Stoch won a golden medla on that smae ski jump.
We are pround, moreover that the team composed of ski jumpers: Maciej Kot, Dawid Kubacki, Kamil Stoch and Piotr Żyła is the Winner of the European Business Club Poland BENE MERITUS 2017 HIGHLY DISTINGUISHED for marking world standards in team ski jumping, promoting Poland in the Word and building positive social emotions. Gentlemen – keep i tup!
The Board and the members of the European Business Club Poland would like to congratulate and thank you.
We are pleased to announce that the Laureate of the European Business Club VICTORIA EUROPAE 2017 EUROPEAN VICTORIA award Mr. Mateusz Morawiecki was appointed Prime Minister. He also kept his post as Minister of Development and Finance.
The management and members of the European Business Club Poland would like to give Prime Minister sincere congratulations and wish him success in the fulfilment of his function. We also express the conviction that, in his new role, Prime Minister will continue his activity which granted him the VICTORIA EUROPAE 2017 EUROPEAN VICTORY award in appreciation of his extraordinary merits and accomplishments in improving conditions for the growth of the Polish economy and raising its rank internationally. We anticipate fast implementation of measures for the development of small and medium-sized Polish enterprises and facilitation of their functioning as well as simplification, reduction and stabilisation of legislation in this regard.
Mateusz Morawiecki was born on 20th of June 1968 in Wrocław. He is a Polish manager, banker and a politician. On 11th of December 2017 he was appointed Head of the Council of Ministers, Minister of Development and Finances. From September 29, 2016 to December 11, 2017 he was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Development and Finance. From November 16, 2015 to September 29, 2016 he held the office of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Development. He obtained a degree in History at the University of Wrocław, Business Administration at Warsaw University of Technology and Central Connecticut State University, as well as receiving the MBA degree at the Wrocław Economic Academy. He is also an alumnus of University in Hamburg, University of Basel and Kellog School of Management of the Northwestern University, Evanston in the United States of America.
He began his professional career in 1992, in Cogito company. In the years 1993-1996 he worked for the Wrocław Enter Marketing-Publishing company. In 1995 he did an internship in Deutsche Bundesbank, and worked for University of Frankfurt am Main in the years 1996-1997. He is the co-author of a handbook on European law and economic integration. Between 1998-2001 he was a member of the supervisory boards of the Industry Development Agency and Electric Company Wałbrzych. He also sat in the regional council of Dolnośląskie voivodship during its first term. In 1998 he became Deputy Director of Department of Accession Negotiations in the Committee of European Integration and was a member of the body that negotiated Poland’s accession to the European Union (banking and Finance). Between 1998-2001 he worked in Bank Zachodni – first as an advisor to the Chairman of the Board, then as a Management member and the Executive Director. In June 2001, Mateusz Morawiecki became a member of the Management of Bank Zachodni WBK, and in May 2007 was appointed Chairman of the Board.
In 2013 he was awarded with the Cross of Freedom and Solidarity, in appreciation of his work for the independence and sovereignty of Poland and respecting human rights.
June 23, 2015, for his extraordinary merits in supporting and promoting Polish culture and national heritage, he was awarded with Knight’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restitua.
He is fluent in English and German and speaks Russian.
Press Information
European Business Club Poland Gala Awards Ceremony 2017
Olympic Centre in Warsaw
28 October, 2017
For the third time the European Business Club Poland – at the official Gala Award Ceremony – honoured individuals and companies which in a particular way contributed to the development of entrepreneurship, economy, local governments and charity activities, science, culture and sport as well as those who achieved success on the European and global scale.
The chapter of the Awards of the European Business Club Poland, composed of outstanding representatives of business, science and sport and chaired by Professor Elżbieta Mączyńska, the President of the Polish Economic Society and member of National Development Council called by President of the Republic of Poland, awarded the honorary prizes, as follows:
Main award VICTORIA EUROPAE 2017 EUROPEAN VICTORIA
Mateusz Morawiecki, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economic Development and Finance, in the recognition of his special contributions and achievements in the activities for creating conditions for the Polish economy development and increasing its importance in the international arena.
ENTERPRENEUR MAGNUS 2017 EXTRAORDINARY ENTERPRENEUR
Beata Drzazga, the Presidend of BetaMed S. A., for building the biggest in Poland professional and patient-friendly medical company Beta Meta S. A. providing home and clinic medical care for the chronically-ill and aged people as well as for outstanding managerial achievements.
BENE MERITUS 2017 HIGHLY DISTINGUISHED
Senator Lidia Staroń for taking up and solving difficult problems of Polish enterpreneurs , defending their good name and initiating changes in the Polish law.
The team of ski jumpers composed of Maciej Kot, Dawid Kubacki, Kamil Stoch and Piotr Żyła for setting world-wide standards in team ski jumping, making the name of Poland famous all over the world and building positive social emotions.
TV POLONIA for popularizing the Polish economy abroad and unique achievement in building the national pride among the Polish community world-wide.
SIGNUM TEMPORIS 2017 SIGN OF THE TIMES
The Praski Port for the bold implementation of the architectural and urban development project “the Praski Port – a town of new generation” which will transform Warsaw into a modern capital of the XXIst century.
Walkrys Security Sp. z o . o. for diligence and professionalism In providing full service for exclusive hotels and luxury apartment buildings.
PRO FUTURO 2017 FOR THE FUTURE
The Warsaw University Song and Dance Ensemble “Warszawianka” for unique achievement in promoting Polish tradition and culture.
Whisbear® (Firma SZUMISIE) for creativity and the innovative project Whisbear® (Szumisie) meant for babies as well as for boldness in winning the world-wide markets.
PRO PUBLICO BONO 2017 FOR THE SOCIAL ACTIVITY
Priest Jacek Stryczek for creating the Polish national project “Noble Parcel” (“Szlachetne paczka”) to help impoverished families and long-standing activity for people in need.
We have pleasure in informing that Stanisław Karczewski, the Speaker of the Senate of the Republic of Poland, and Ryszard Czarnecki, the Deputy Chairman of the European Parliament, were the honorary patrons of the Gala Ceremony.
The honorary institution patronage was taken by the Ministry of Economic Development, the Polish Chamber of Commerce, the Polish Agency of Innovation and Commerce, the Polish Economic Society, Employers of the Republic of Poland and the Union of Enterpreneurs and Employers.
Deutsche Bank was the patron of the Gala and the Konarczuk Meat Factory (Zakład Mięsny Konarczuk) was its sponsor.
The media patronage was taken by Polsat News, economic magazine Polish Market, economic monthly New Industry (Nowy Przemysł). Portal www.wnp.pl magazine Why Story, monthly Europerspectives (Europerspektywy) as well as magazine and portal of businesswomen Business Woman @Life.
The European Business Club Poland Gala Award Ceremony was held at the Olympic Centre in Warsaw on 28 October, 2017. The ceremony was conducted by journalist Przemysław Tarkowski, the winner of the BENE MERITUS AWARD 2015, Highly Distinguished. The place of the Gala itself caused that the artistic programme performers were talented young people: 14-year- old Oliwia Szydłowska who presented a dancing programme and the Youth Orchestra of the Tadeusz Wrześniak Glassworks.
This year for the first time a live coverage for the Ceremony was run on the social portals of You Tube and Facebook. We invite all the interested persons to see the event.
More information on the European Business Club Poland activity and the European Business Club Poland Gala Award Ceremony can be found on the Association website www.ekb.org.pl. We invite you to visit the website.
We offer warm congratulations to all the Prize-winners.
The next guest of the European Business Club invited by the President Janusz Cieślak was the Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus – His Excellency Profesor Viktar Gaisenak. The meeting took place in the welcoming hotel-restaurant „Czarny Kot – My Warsaw Residence”.
Our guest was accompanied by: Trade Councellor of the Embassy Mr Michaił Trotsinski and Secretary of the Embassy Mr Jurij Kułabuhow
The topic of the meeting was economic co-operation between our country and Belarus as well as possibilities of conducting business and investing in that country.
The presentation was given by The Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus who shed more light on his country to the participants of the meeting. In 2012 the economy in Belarus noted a 5,7% increase in industry production in comparison to 2011, agricultural production by 6.1% and increase in export by 14%. Among the most important countries – investors in Belarus Poland is on the 11th place. In 2012 Polish investments were at the level of 128 million USD/ in 2011 – 84,5 million USD. In Belarus there are currently 550 companies with Polish capital.
During a lively discussion and due to the asked questions Mr Ambassador indicated why it is worthwhile to conduct economic activity in Belarus. First of all due to the closeness and availability of transport, stability and low level of crime and corruption, state guarantees and reliefs, cheap and qualified labour force as well as developed and well maintained infrastructure.
A great benefit for Belarus is the concluded Customs Union with Russia and Kazakhstan as well as the Common Economic Space established on 01.01.2012 which allows for a free flow of products and capital, mobility of labour force, unification of technological regulations and certifications, standardization of macroeconomic policy and unified rules of industry and agriculture subsidy.
A big incentive for small companies (up to 100 people) is a 5% income tax or 3% of VAT. Agricultural producers pay 1% of tax from their general income and 0% of VAT. In free economic zones the income tax amounts to 0% for 5 years and 10% of VAT. In hi-tech parks the income tax and VAT are null for 15 years. An interesting and content-related meeting ended with long informal talks on the subjects mentioned at the meeting.
Translation:
Dear Mr President,
Please accept my sincere gratitude for inviting me, giving me the opportunity to participate and give a presentation at the meeting with businessmen – members of the Association „European Business Club Poland” which took place in Warsaw on the 26th of February 2013.
I wish to truly thank you for the friendly atmosphere during the meeting, hospitality, great organization and content-related preparation of this undertaking.
I hope that the demonstrated positive attitude of the management and members of the “European Business Club” shown towards development of co-operation with Belarus will result in the realization of mutually favourable projects in Belarus.
I wish You and all members of the association further success in professional and personal matters, all the best, good health as well as I hope to remain in touch.
Yours sincerely
………….
On the 29.01.2013 upon the invitation of the President Janusz Cieślak, Michał Kleiber the President of the Polish Academy of Sciences was the guest of the Association. The meeting took place in the welcoming hotel-restaurant „Czarny Kot – My Warsaw Residence”.
The speech of Professor Michał Kleiber was given on the current situation in the area of co-operation of research and business environment looping from the perspective of its development with particular interest in the issue of innovation and creativity as important elements of the development of Polish economy.
According to our speaker the last 20 years, are the years of Polish success maybe not complete and far from our expectations but still inevitably a success. It was based on cheap labour force, privatization, foreign investment, foreign interest in Poland and the interest of Poland in foreign co-operation. This stage of Poland’s development is coming to an end and as a country we still don’t have a good idea for the future. We should therefore think about how to change our education system so as to be more competitive which would ensure further development of our country, how to improve the system of science research, what model of energy development to accept which will link security with the cost as well as requirements concerning environment, which technologies should be developed in Poland and which ones should be purchased abroad. In other words we have to answer the question how our future should look like which relies a great deal on currently made decisions.
The speaker has given a lot of concern to “New innovation culture”. Members of the Club especially those who run their own companies with great satisfaction have welcomed the fact that currently in the era of development of networking society it is necessary for science and business to co-operate.
Innovation should be the synergy of knowledge, entrepreneurship, thought through legal regulations and common faith in human creativity. According to Professor Michał Kleiber currently we can observe a very low culture of innovation seen as the respect for human creativity, for challenges of contemporary times and promotion of people of success in Poland. We have many Polish companies which present thorough , innovative and international success and which can be shown as an example to follow. In our country we have many scholars of worldwide success but in Poland they are little known.
Therefore the change in supporting strategy is inevitable. The state should conduct anticipative and not reactive policy, it should inspire the development of culture, respect for innovation, introduce contemporary regulations and offer public aid for innovative activities. According to Professor our effort should concentrate on the analysis of the situation on world markets followed by finding the market niche in already existing economic links and looking for the partners for who we would have something innovative to offer. We should also promote our intellectual and manufacturing potential. Currently one can set the production almost everywhere but creating a new product or service is a true challenge. Therefore priorities for education connected with entrepreneurship support are so important – it is the only way for real economic successes. The speaker emphasizes that we are one of the few countries in the world that does not have a well functioning centre for strategic studies which would give the decision-makers key current information and long-term solutions.
Particularly interesting for the gathered entrepreneurs were the comments of Professor Michał Kleiber on the need of possessing the awareness of global challenges and knowledge on methods of financing innovations. The current system of financing is not optimal. The main element of the current system are grants, so they are means dedicated to specific research and development work. However these grants are awarded without an in-depth knowledge about the market reality. More effects would be seen if those means were given awarded as financial incentives for companies undertaking innovative activities because it is the entrepreneurs that know the best what has a real chance on the market. The state must send clear signals to the world economy that the most effective way of building an innovative country is to support research and development. The signal should be constant, even a small increase in the budget of science and introducing fiscal benefits enhancing entrepreneurs to invest in research. Innovation gives a chance for permanent success.
In his speech Professor Michał Kleiber also talked about the role of banks in the development of innovations. According to him banks should have better possibilities of financing investments and also higher capability of valuation of existing risk.
To summarize, the speaker stated that Poland is not innovative and unfortunately is seen as such in the world. In order to change this situation a cross-sector development strategy is needed. Creative thinking and innovative activities based on a wide social support are the only chance for a stable economic growth of 5%.
The presentation of professor Michał Kleiber has been given a lot interest and applause by the Members of the European Business Club Poland. It also created and interesting discussion in which the practicing people in business affirmed the statements said.
