Functioning of special economic zones in Poland and their role in activating regional economy

Abstract

First special economic zones were established in Poland in 1995. The zones were established in order to activate and develop economy, implement new technologies and technical solutions and what is most important to create new jobs on the labor market. Establishing SSE (special economic zones) in Poland, the government had to create a proper strategy that would attract investors. A system of economic and tax relieves was supposed to be one of the most important factors attracting new investors. The present paper is an attempt to evaluate the operations performed within SSE structures in recent eight years. The paper also presents the role the zones played in activating economy in chosen regions. Most operative zones are the zones in Katowice, Mielec and Walbrzych. According to the research results the zones are important factors improving the situation on the local labor markets. The established projects implement and make use of modem and advanced technological solutions. The only disadvantage is the fact that the companies established within the SSE project perform scientific research on a very small scale and seldom co-operate with Polish scientific research centers