Dear Sir/ Madam,
Big changes in Polish politics are taking place in the shadow of significant events in Europe and around the world. They cannot but have a substantial impact on the economy and on society in Europe. The crisis in Greece, deflation, the free trade agreement with the United States as well as the growing threat from ISIS, the sudden influx of refugees to Europe, tensions in relations with Russia and its involvement in the conflict in Ukraine ? how will we cope with such a multitude of challenges? How can we prepare for them? What should be done by entrepreneurs, and what by the government and state institutions?
In search of the answers to these and other key questions, we decided to entitle the eighth edition of the annual conference of the Warsaw Economic Hub as below:
During the all-day meeting, in the group of business leaders, economic experts and politicians, we will focus on important issues, of which I will mention a few:
1. Poland and the CEE region in the face of new challenges in Europe and the world.
2. Poland in the run-up to 2020: Rapid development, a modern economy and innovative industry, or the fizzling out of basic growth factors and the middle income trap?
To what extent does the inevitable fizzling out of some of the key drivers of development in Poland and the region, such as low labor costs or access to EU funding, threaten further development? What are the real dangers and what can be done to avoid them?
3. Poland in the run-up to 2020: A source of modern, highly advanced top-quality business services provided to the whole world?
Why is the modern business process outsourcing sector, which provides at least 150,000 jobs in Poland at present, developing so well here? How is it that within a short time we have become number one in Europe and a global leader? What are the prospects of this industry? What does its development imply for the Polish economy over the next five years?
4. Poland in the run-up to 2020: The Polish arms industry as a stimulator of economic growth?
Will the arms sector be the driving force of the Polish economy? What role can it play in the development of innovation and in the transfer of technology, including technology useful in civilian sectors?
5. Poland in the run-up to 2020: Energy security and independence or a crisis in Polish energy infrastructure?
The Energy Union, changes in the European approach to emissions and coal-burning energy technologies, the finalization of a gas terminal but also the needs of modernization and a new, essential energy infrastructure ? these are just some of the issues in Poland?s power sector today. Where exactly are we? Can Poland be confident about its energy balance in a few years? time? What is the significance of the security of countries in the region for our energy security?
6. The Polish financial system in the face of old and new challenges.
Several former finance ministers will discuss topics of particular significance not only to the new government and its finance minister, but also to all stakeholders in the economy: investors, entrepreneurs, employees and consumers. There will be a discussion on whether Polish public finances and the banking system ensure a sense of security and whether the tax system is conducive to the development of entrepreneurship. A list of recommendations may be drawn up for the new finance minister.
We would be pleased to welcome you at the conference!
Andrzej Jonas
Editor in Chief
The Warsaw Voice