Central and Eastern Europe, with its dynamic growth as well as economic and political stability, has been attracting a growing number of investors who consider it as an excellent location for their sourcing units servicing primarily the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region. Poland is by far the largest country in the region and also has the largest pool of highly-qualified human capital. Katowice as the major and centrally located in the Silesian Agglomeration – the biggest cities association in Poland – is naturally predestined for a business process outsourcing (BPO) and shared service centers (SSC) destination.
The Agglomeration is localised at the cross-roads of trans-European transport corridors:
– Trans-European Corridor III: Berlin – Wrocław – Katowice – Kraków – Lvov
– Trans-European Corridor IV: Gdańsk – Katowice – Żylina – Bratislava – Vienna
Moreover, Katowice is one of the two Polish cities the most friendly for investors according to Fitch Ratings which assigned a “-A” rating for the City.
- There are more than 20 universities including seven state universities in the City of Katowice:
• University of Silesia
• Silesian University of Technology
• University of Economics
• Academy of Physical Education
• Medical University of Silesia
• Academy of Fine Arts
• Academy of Music
Every year Silesian universities provide the labor market with approximately 70 000 well-educated graduates who are attractive potential hires for local businesses.
Since 2008 Katowice’s office market is developing thanks to several office schemes as Atrium, Katowice Business Point, Francuska Office Center and Reinhold Center. By the end of 2010, the office stock in the City should be increased by approx. 50 000 sq. of modern space in A-class buildings. At present, a total office stock reaches 220 000 sq. m. Compared to a couple of years ago, Katowice major and secondary office buildings now feature a number of immediate lease options. The number of options available for rent is currently more than five. All of the new schemes commenced in 2008 still have leasable spaces in offers. Occupiers can choose between Central district localisations as well as the area of the A4 and DTŚ expressways.
Average rents vary between EUR 10 and 15 sq.m/month depending on building class and localisation. 2010 is the best time to make lease commitments compared to the past 3 years.
- List of major companies which have already set up theirs businesses in Katowice.
Reseach and development centers:
– DisplayLink
– Ontrack
– Mentor Graphics
– Bombardier
– Rockwell Automation
– Pronox Technology
– Proximetry Poland
- Outsourcing centers:
– Capgemini
– Kroll
– Steria
– Unilever
– Calling Polska
– PricewaterhouseCoopers
– ING Bank Śląski
– TP S.A.
– TNT
Full list of outsourcing companies operating in Katowice and area >>>
Companies interested in investing in Poland can count on a public aid and cash grants from the EU structural funds. The maximum levels of support in Silesian Voivodeship for large companies is 40% of either investment’s costs or two year employment costs. The key qualification conditions for such EU grants are:
– creation of SSC, BPO, IT or R&D center, and
– creating at least 100 new jobs, except for
– R&D centers, where it is required to create at least 10 new jobs and invest minimum PLN 2 million.
The maximum value of state aid financed from the Polish budget within a framework of Multi-Annual Support Programme (MASP) is up to 30% (in the case of R&D centers – up to 50%) of either investment’s costs or two year employment costs.