The 15th European Congress of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises has begun

The 15th edition of the European Congress of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (EKMŚP) was opened today at the International Congress Center in Katowice.

Here&now

The congress, now in its fifteenth year, was organized by the Regional Chamber of Commerce in Katowice and the organization “Pracodawcy RP” (Employers of Poland). This year's theme for Europe's largest event dedicated to small and medium-sized enterprises is “here&now.”.

As emphasized by the president of the Katowice Regional Chamber of Commerce, Tomasz Zjawiony: “Over 74% of Poland's GDP is generated by Polish entrepreneurs and Polish companies. It is thanks to the taxes we pay that politicians are able to implement their better or worse social projects.” Referring to the slogan “here&now,” he added: “This is the last possible moment to change our approach, our policy, so that Polish entrepreneurs can compete on price with economic entities from outside the EU.”  He appealed to decision-makers: “Please recognize and believe in Polish entrepreneurs”.

Support from congress partners

The event was held under the patronage of many important institutions, including: the City of Katowice, the Governor of Silesia, the Marshal of the Silesian Province, the Upper Silesian-ZagłębieMetropolis, and the Katowice Special Economic Zone S.A.

Deputy Marshal of theSilesian Province Leszek Pietraszek said: "What will the future be like? It will be challenging, but also generous to entrepreneurs and regions that adapt to it. This future is an opportunity that we want to take advantage of in the Silesia.“ The Mayor of Katowice, Marcin Krupa, added: ”Entrepreneurs develop our cities, regions, and country through their investments. In Katowice, we understood this a long time ago. Thanks to good cooperation, we have transformed ourselves from an industrial city into a city of services and new technologies”.

Opening panel discussion

The congress began with a panel discussion entitled “The future begins today – how the world is changing, which was attended by: the founder of BetaMed S.A. Beata Drzazga, the president of the board of Pracodawcy RP Joanna Makowiecka-Gatza, and the president of the board of Gemini Holding, Rafał Sonik. The discussion was moderated by the president of RIG, Tomasz Zjawiony.

During the conversation, Beata Drzazga emphasized: “We have noticed that abroad, entrepreneurs are actively sought after, while in Poland, obstacles are often put in our way. She added: “Why should we waste our energy fighting obstacles instead of devoting it to the economic development of our companies?” Joanna Makowiecka-Gatza added: “The volatility of the law in Poland and, in recent years, inflation and supply chain problems have meant that, as SMEs, we are not investing enough in new technologies. This is a challenge we must address”.

Rafał Sonik, on the other hand, said something optimistic: "I look at Silesia primarily with admiration. What has been achieved in Silesia is an economic miracle that came from hard work. It is in Silesia that I have invested the most, not in Warsaw or Krakow,“ he added: ”For the first time in 35 years, the government has opened up to dialogue with business this year and has taken up the issue of deregulation”.

Two days of the congress 

The congress is taking place in Katowice over two days, October 27 and 28. Participation is free of charge.