fDi Intelligence, a division of the Financial Times, has released its newest edition of the report on the best free zones of the globe. The Katowice Special Economic Zone (KSEZ) was named the second best zone in the world. Only the DMCC Free Zone from the United Arab Emirates got the better score and won the classification.
The fDi’s Global Free Zones of the Year Awards point out the most promising free zones across the world. The fDi’s editorial and research teams studied entry forms from 76 locations to create final results, based on a weightings system. The jury awarded winning and second-place zones in global and regional categories.
The Katowice Special Economic Zone scored as the second of all global zones in this year’s awards. The KSEZ was also chosen the winner in the Europe and Central and Eastern Europe regions. It had more than 230 tenants in 2014, with SME tenancy rates rising by 16% and large tenants by just over 5%. „The zone, also commended for its skills and training, has several initiatives in place to increase tenant numbers and attract new investors. Among these, the „K2” project allows companies to manage their human resources, helping companies find appropriate graduates for jobs on offer, as well as helping improve technical education in the local region” – fDi Intelligence reports.
The jury underlined the infrastructure improvements of the KSEZ – the zone had incorporated 2,8 million sq. meters of space last year, which has been equipped with road, gas, water, sewage and electricity infrastructure. Additionally, the zone established a new competence center, which operates as a training facility focusing on vocational skills.
„Well prepared investment areas and a high quality labour market make Silesia surely one of the best places to invest in this part of Europe” – fDi Intelligence quoted Piotr Wojaczek, president of the Katowice Special Economic Zone.
fDi Intelligence specializes in foreign direct investment (FDI) and investment promotion, and provides corporate decision-makers and investment professionals with the latest reports, databases and market insights.