ELBLAG ECONOMIC FORUM EFG HIGHLIGHTS

The first Elblag Economic Forum was held in Elblag on 21-22nd  September 2011 and consisted of representatives from Elblag`s Municipal Office, Elblag`s Technology Park, Gdansk Science & Technology Park/Pomeranian Science – Technology Park, Centre of Technology Western Pomerania (Germany). Among many invited guests were also representatives of regional and local public administration, academia and entrepreneurs.

The need for the forum organization resulted from the necessity to exchange views and experiences of public administration, the sphere of science and business in the face of socio-economic changes in the Elblag Region in comparison to other EU regions. The main two topics of the event were Elblag- “City of Innovation and Development” and support for SMEs.  

Among many issues that were discussed at the Forum, the following are worth to be mentioned:

In conclusion, this event certainly contributed to increase of SMEs economic potential and competitiveness, intensification of cross-border relations between innovative SMEs, creation of networks between science and technology parks from SBR, increase of EPT innovative potential in the SBR, exchange views and experiences between the regions,  transfer of knowledge, know-how and technology between all the parties of the THM from the SBR. It must be mentioned that the Forum was also a good chance to promote project aims, results and parks involved in the project.

EFG highlights:

Day 1

- Advertising spot of the Elblag Technology Park

- Speech of the Mayor of the City of Elblag - Mr. Grzegorz Nowaczyk

- Speech of the Government representative

- Speech of the President of the Management Board of Grupa LOTOS SA  - Mr. Paweł Olechnowicz

- Presentation on the benchmarking of science and technology Parks in SBR - Mr. Grzegorz Tomaszewski, expert - DS. Consulting

- Speech by the Director of Elblag Technology Park - Mr. Paweł Lulewicz

- Speech by the Mayor of Suwalki - Mr. Czeslaw Renkiewicz

- Speech by the Rector of the State Higher School of Vocational Education  - Prof. Zbigniew Walczyk.

-  Presentation by the President of the Furniture Cluster in Elblag - Mr. Wojciech Macijewicz

-  Study visit to the Elblag Technology Park:  - Presentation of the Centre for Wood Technology and Furniture company;  - Presentation of the Water Jet System company, which is a leading representative of the high-tech industry.

Day 2 WORKSHOPS FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND ACADEMIA “Development of co-operation between academia and business"

- How to finance a business idea, implement new technology- Technology  loan  - Mr. Dariusz Kucharczyk- Kredyt Bank SA

- How to finance a business idea, implement new technology? cont. EIB loans for SMEs - a new financing mechanism. Loan “The investment with the European Union”- Mr. Dariusz Kucharczyk - Kredyt Bank SA

- How to use new technology for business development - financing through factoring and revolving credit - Mr. Robert Czaja - Kredyt Bank SA

- Protection of intellectual and industrial property - Mrs. Dr. Aleksandra  Twardowska - Fundacja JWP Masz Pomysł? Masz Patent. Masz Zysk!