Warminsko-Mazurska Special Economic Zone
The Warminsko-Mazurska Special Economic Zone is situated in the Warmia and Mazury regions, which are picturesque areas rich in lakes, natural waterways, and extensive forest land. The region's dominant industries are food, timber machinery and ecological agriculture.
The province's capital is Olsztyn, a town of about 170,000, which is about 220 km from Warsaw, 190 km from Gdansk, 611 km from Berlin and 144 km from Kaliningrad. There are 47 towns and 3,900 villages. The list of region's biggest enterprises is headed by ABB Zamech, Stomil _ Michelin. Other large foreign owned firms like Philips of Holland, Texel and Safilen of France, Jerome Foods of the USA, Schieder Mobel of Germany, and IKEA of Sweden are also there. Domestic strategic investors in the region include: Energopol, Elektrim, Animex, Paged and Polmot.
The area has a good labour market. The cost of one hour of labour in industry in the region is 10 times lower than in Germany and 7 times lower than the European Union average. The current unemployment rate is 19%. About 30% of the adult population has higher, or secondary education.
The following educational institutes operate in the region: Warminsko-Mazurski University, Olsztyn Higher School, the State Higher School in Elbl1g, the Olsztyn Higher School of Management, the Higher School for Police. There are 322 technical and vocational schools. The region has good supply of experienced managers and technicians with high professional qualifications. Especially in branches such as food, chemicals wood, and machine finishing.
Profile of the Warminsko-Mazurska Special Economic Zone
The Zone covers 332.6 ha and consists of three Sub-Zones: Bartoszycka, Dobromiejska and Szczycienska. The Zone has full access to road and railway communications and an international airport in Szymany near Szczytno. In the immediate vicinity of the Zone there are three border crossings with the Russian Federation, one of which, the international one, in Bezledy.
Bartoszyce Sub-Zone
ul. Bohaterów Monte Cassino 1
11-200 Bartoszyce
tel./fax. (+48 89) 7625310
This occupies two areas, jointly 132.11 ha in size.
1. The first complex is by Bartoszyce - an area of 16.06 ha by Route 51, running from the international border crossing of Bezledy. In the immediate vicinity of the Sub-Zone there are the following banks, BG-, BIG-BG, PKO BP. The area lends itself to investment in the food processing branch, mechanical electronics, and timber and construction industries.
2. Bezledy Complex. This is situated in the immediate vicinity of the international border crossing with the Kaliningrad Enclave and covers a combined area of 116.06 ha. The position of the Sub- Zone is particularly attractive for firms planning to export a considerable proportion of production to the Russian Federation.
Bezledy Sub Zone
The Sub Zone covers 40.3. The Zone has full access to road and railway communications and an international airport in Szymany near Szczytno.
Dobre Miasto Sub-Zone
ul. Olsztynska 19
11-040 Dobre Miasto
tel./fax.: (+48 89) 6163990
The area covers 63 ha and is situated 20 km away from Olsztyn. The town has a longstanding tradition of producing machines for agriculture and wooden products. The Zone offers access to modern sewage treatment facilities. The town authorities ensure full assistance to investors undertaking effective economic activity. The areas assigned for investment have a full range of utilities which, supplemented by a good location and good quality workforce represents a strong argument for investing in Dobre Miasto.
Szczytno Sub-Zone
ul. Chrobrego 4
12-100 Szczytno
tel./fax.: (+48 89) 624 3446
The Szczytno Sub-Zone consists of two complexes:
1. Korpele Complex - area of 46.47 ha, situated 1.5 km from the town centre.
2. Szymany Complex- area 93.27 ha situated 7 km from Szczytno along the road to Warsaw (No 599). The Sub-Zone borders the International Airport of "Szczytno - Szymany".
Investments to date
At present investments in the Zone total 8 domestic firms and two foreign firms with a total investment value of 4 million USD creating 221 workplaces.
The firms which have obtained permits to carry on economic activity in the Zone are:
- CETCO Poland Sp. z o.o.,
- Superior Strefa S.C.,
- Atis Sp. z o.o.,
- Telco BIS Sp.z o.o.,
- SANIT PLAST S.C.,
- PPH SAS Sp. z o.o.,
- Agrochem Sp.z o.o.,
- FRENOPLAST S.C.,
- MPM Sp. z o.o.,
- BOG ART. Sp. z o.o.
Tax reliefs
An economic entity in the Zone may enjoy the benefit of only one type of relief, the entity declares the type of relief it intends to claim in the given tax year, after which a different form of relief also available in the Zone may be claimed.
1. Income tax exemptions are available in the following ways:
- Investments exceeding 350,000 Euro
- Employment of over 50 people. In both cases there is full exemption on income for 10 years, and 50% thereafter for the duration of the Zone.
2. For investors who do not fulfil the criteria mentioned in point 1:
- If the investment is below 350,000 Euro the exemption is up to a level equivalent to the investment outlays made.
- If the employment level is lower than 50 people then there is a 25% income tax relief on every 10 people employed.
3. For investors not enjoying the exemptions described in points 1 & 2, there is:
- A variant concerning the increase in the depreciation rates on fixed assets on the purchase of intangible and legal assets deductible as costs of earnings.
4. All investors qualify for full property tax exemptions throughout the Zone's existence.
Preferred types of activity in the Zone
- Electronics
- Agricultural food items
- Fodder industry
- Timber industry
- Cosmetics industry
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Medicines
- Machines.