EU funds could help Polish South

Poland’s Silesia and Małopolska regions could be on track to become state-of-the-art meccas for businesses.

This renaissance could happen thanks to an injection of PLN 13 billion (EUR 3.11 bln) from the European Union. The funds could help revive the region and attract local and foreign investments.

A meeting on the subject is planned Wednesday between members of various ministries to outline a plan for the Silesia and Małopolska voivodships.

According to the ‘Rzeczpospolita’ daily, privy to an as-yet unofficial outline, the ambitious plan will enable rapid economic growth for the two regions in the south of the country.

“To this end, we want to make use of EU funds, which are within easy reach,” Deputy Economy Minister Ilona Antoniszyn-Klik told the paper.

A cornerstone of the plan is road infrastructure. The creation of a coherent network between investment areas – including the Katowice Special Economic Zone – is essential for the development of the region, Rzeczpospolita says.

Other details of the restructuring plan include the establishment of a land-fund to deal with the revitalisation of derelict brownfield sites, as well as the modernisation of systems to make use of residual methane still found in coal mines.