Pomerania, a region that stretches from northern Poland all the way to the Baltic Sea, has established itself as a dynamic economy and fertile base for foreign investors, and is set to become Poland’s main wind energy hub. Mieczysław Struk, marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, fleshes out the main pillars of the region’s investment promotion strategy centred on infrastructure and talent. 

Q: What are the main pillars of Pomerania’s investment promotion strategy?

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A: Pomerania is one of the 25 fastest-growing regions in Europe. We are creating a region that is open to investment in various sectors of the economy. We have a rich offer of investment areas and infrastructure ready to adapt to the needs of specific industries.

And the office space in the Tri-City portfolio has just topped one million square metres, with giants like Capgemini, Deloitte and Lufthansa opening departments here. 

The region attracts investors not only with its infrastructure, but also with the availability of talent. Pomerania is the largest academic centre in northern Poland. The education system offers majors tailored to the needs of the labour market.

More and more people, both experienced professionals and recent graduates, are choosing to relocate here because of the comfortable living conditions and attractive location of Pomerania. One thing attracts another: investors are attracted by the availability of talent, and staff by opportunities for career development.

Q: What is the region’s strategy to attract tech investments?

A: Business centres such as Torus and Olivia Business Centre offer post-modern complementarity and co-working concepts. Modern spaces attract modern services. In addition, co-operation between business and local universities is thriving.

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IT-related majors recruit more and more applicants every year. Recently, this number reached 8000 students, which, combined with the region's pro-relocation strategy, translates into more than 25,000 active IT developers on the market.

Major companies in the sector, such as Intel, are engaged in intensive educational activities, creating classes and majors profiled to meet the specific needs of the sector. It is worth noting that these needs continue to grow, as future employees are well aware. We attract investors, guide them through the entire process of adaptation in Pomerania, and a select talent pool ready for development awaits them on site. 

Q: Poland is currently the only country in eastern Europe with a specific offshore wind target. Are there any plans for wind projects off the Pomeranian coast, and are you planning to develop a renewable energy supply chain too? 

A: Pomerania is naturally at the centre of a major undertaking to diversify energy sources. On the Polish part of the Baltic Sea, there are planned investments in offshore wind worth about 130bn zlotys ($27.7bn), which offer a potential of more than 28 gigawatts.

Most of the turbines and planned infrastructure will be built in Pomerania, and this gives hope for dynamic development of the region in the coming years. Major shipyards and design offices have tailored their offers to the needs of the offshore wind sector and have, or will have in the near future, the knowledge, experience and skills needed in the construction of offshore wind farms.

Of course, the specifics of offshore wind require the creation of appropriate energy infrastructure, adaptation of the existing supply chain, or construction and modification of port infrastructure. In that sense, we are counting on extensive co-operation with our foreign partners to help with the green transformation of Pomerania.

This article first appeared in the August/September 2022 print edition of fDi Intelligence.