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Discover Szczecin for good
Discover Szczecin for good
A
rich variety of investment areas, a wealth of well-educated
and skilled staff, the close vicinity of European capitals, the
bold strategy behind the Floating Garden 2050 brand, and the unique
natural conditions, combined with the investment developments in progress
and the growth of local economy – all these make Szczecin a truly modern and
dynamic metropolis. Our city has the potential to make it a friendly place to live.
Its most important asset is the people – the residents of Szczecin, devoted and willing to
actively contribute to the city’s progress, which in turn translates into the broadening of knowledge and the acquisition of new skills. With residents’ improved qualifications, new high-quality
jobs can be created, while the programmes aimed at the promotion of creative thinking at all levels
of school education and professional training, combined with infrastructural investments, allow an
increase in innovative potential. By all means, Szczecin is a city which lives up to expectations, as
it provides optimum living standards and can be recommended to investors striving for success –
which is what I wish all of you.
Feel invited to Szczecin
Piotr Krzystek
Mayor of Szczecin
>>>
THE CITY
Szczecin holds the position of the administrative and economic centre of the Westpomeranian
Voivodeship, being also the capital of the Pomerania Euroregion and a hub of political, social and
cultural cooperation for local authorities from Poland, Germany and the Scandinavian countries. Its
cross-border location, academic and scientific potential, and collaboration with neighbours form
the stimuli behind Szczecin’s development.
The City of Szczecin
Investor and Business Support
Department
inwestor@um.szczecin.pl
tel. +48 91 424 5819
fax +48 91 424 5820
www.szczecin.eu
Area
Population
Population of the Szczecin Metropolitan Area
Population of the Westpomeranian Voivodeship
Number of students
Unemployment rate
Number of employed
Average monthly wage - gross
Number of business entities per 10,000 residents
Foreign capital in enterprises
301 km2
410 000
640 000
1 690 000
52 000
10,5%
92 400
PLN 3 400
1 600
PLN 898 mln
SZCZECIN | www.szczecin.eu
>>>
DISTANCES
12 km
from the German border
65 km
from the Baltic Sea
127 km
from Berlin
281 km
from Copenhagen
505 km
from Prague
450 km
from Warsaw
LOCATION
>>>
Transport accessibility – Szczecin has a unique
location which ensures perfect connectibility and
access to sales and purchase markets in Poland,
the rest of Europe and worldwide.
yy Road and rail routes – perfect connection to
the motorway system in Western Europe, as
well as new express roads and motorways in
Poland.
yy Shipping junction – the Oder Water Road
and a connection to the Baltic Sea. The seaport facilitates trade exchange with Western
Europe and the most remote regions of the
world – China and Africa. The nearby ferry
terminal in Świnoujście offers connections
with Copenhagen and southern Sweden.
yy International air connections – you need only
45 minutes by car to reach Szczecin-Goleniów
Airport, and 1.5 hour to get to Berlin Tegel
and Berlin Schönefeld airports, which will
soon be replaced by Europe’s largest facility
of its type – Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER).
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
>>>
Szczecin is the wealthiest and the most industrialised sub-region of the Westpomeranian Voivodeship.
The City’s investment attractiveness can
be confirmed by
yy The rating by the Fitch Ratings Agency,
which, in July 2012, ranked Szczecin at the
BBB+ level, recognising its stable financial
policies and high standards of municipal
financial management.
yy The functioning of the Szczecin Sub-Zone
within the Euro-Park Mielec Special Economic
Zone, which provides investors with an allround management of investment projects,
public assistance in the form of exemptions
from income tax and reduced costs of business activities.
yy The City’s support and public assistance
include:
–– exemptions from real-property tax
–– loan guarantees and loans for entrepreneurs
–– support for technological progress and
innovations
–– instruments supporting entrepreneurial
activities, offered by the District Employment Office in Szczecin.
yy The “one-stop shop” – an efficient investor
assistance system employed at the Investor
and Business Assistance Office.
SZCZECIN | www.szczecin.eu
>>>
THE BPO SECTOR
Szczecin is a city open to science, entrepreneurship and investors. The city’s development
capabilities are determined by its location, scientific and academic potential, the office space
available, and cooperation with neighbours.
These assets provide natural opportunities for
launching centres for advanced services and
innovative technologies here.
>>>
PEOPLE
Szczecin is a city of active people. Over 80% of
the residents of this city, which has a population of almost 410 thousand, are of the working and pre-working age.
Population
in total
214 748
195 158
women
men
Age structure
20%
15%
Pre-working age
65%
Working age
Post-working age
Szczecin is a city of people with foreign-language
skills, especially English, German and Russian.
yy 95% of students declare knowledge of the
English language, and 73% of the German
language.
yy Over 30% of students and 25% of school students in Szczecin are fluent in English. Scandinavian languages are gaining in popularity.
The command of English among Szczecin students
8% 5%
22%
26%
3%
9%
27%
brak
znajomości
No
command
podstawowy A1
A1Basic
podstawowy
A2
A2
Basic
B1Intermediate
średniozaawansowany B1
średniozaawansowany
B2
B2
Intermediate
zaawansowany
C1
Advanced C1
zaawansowany
C2
Advanced C2
The command of German among Szczecin students
2%
4%
27%
15%
22%
Fields of education
The city’s human capital is created by students
and graduates of higher-education institutions
educating state-of-the-art engineers, architects
and specialists, inter alia in IT, electronic engineering, telecommunications and foreign languages.
The number of students and graduates
of selected majors
AS AT 31.12.2011
409 906
9%
Szczecin is an academic and also a research
and scientific centre in north-western Poland.
The city’s intellectual potential is created by 17
higher-education institutions, including 3 universities, providing the highest level of education for students from the whole of Europe.
The intellectual capital is formed by over
52 000 students and 15 000 graduates yearly.
21%
brak
znajomości
No
command
podstawowy A1
A1Basic
podstawowy
A2
A2
Basic
średniozaawansowany B1
B1Intermediate
średniozaawansowany
B2
B2
Intermediate
zaawansowany
C1
Advanced C1
zaawansowany
C2
Advanced C2
Economics
Information technology
Engineering and technology
majors
Philology, of which
- English
- German
Business and administration
Finance
Students
2011
12 405
2 188
10 567
1860
735
537
9 084
1 901
Graduates
2010/2011
4 935
372
1 786
475
179
163
2 926
467
Higher-education institutions
>>> www.univ.szczecin.pl
>>> www.zut.edu.pl
>>> www.pum.edu.pl
>>> www.am.szczecin.pl
>>> www.akademiasztuki.eu
>>> www.zpsb.szczecin.pl
>>> www.wsap.szczecin.pl
>>> www.wshtwp.pl
>>> www.wsie.pl
>>> www.wsz.szczecin.pl
>>> www.cb.szczecin.pl
>>> www.wste.szczecin.pl
>>> www.wsjo.szczecin.pl
>>> www.wskipz.szczecin.pl
>>> www.oe.edu.pl
>>> www.wssu.pl
The Szczecin higher-education institutions are
developing their range of educational services dedicated to the modern shared-services
industries. Economic faculties educate students in SAP accounting software, while technology faculties, including IT, are cooperating with employers to adjust the curriculum
directly to the requirements of the labour market. The quality of foreign-language teaching
is also on the rise, as early as at the kindergarten and primary-school levels.
SZCZECIN | www.szczecin.eu
THE REAL-ESTATE MARKET
>>>
State-of-the-art office spaces – Szczecin is a
city with constantly-developing office facilities.
Changes in office-space supply
BPO CENTRES IN SZCZECIN
>>>
Currently, over ten companies in the BPO sector operate in the city, employing in total ca.
3 000 people.
200000
154 727
150000
133 850
90 050
100000
57 000
71 000
71 000
2010
2011
50 000
0
2009
2012
2013
2014
According to a recent report by the DTZ company, the current area of office real estate facilities in Szczecin comprises approx. 110 000 m2.
The ongoing intensive development of the
office infrastructure will soon contribute to the
creation of another 65 000 m2 of modern ClassA office facilities.
Major office facilities
>>> pazim.pl
>>> oxygenoffice.com.pl
>>> technopark­‌‑pomerania.pl
>>> bramaportowa.com
Currently four projects are being implemented:
Piastów Office Park, Lastadia Office, Baltic Business Park and Hanza Tower.
>>> piastowofficecenter.pl
>>> lastadiaoffice.pl
>>> balticbusinesspark.com.pl
>>> www.hanzatower.pl
The City’s competitiveness is being enhanced
by the supply of already-completed and
planned office facilities and minor annual
changes in rent amounts. The average rent in
Class-A facilities amounts to EUR 12-15/m2/
month, and approx. EUR 8-11/m2/month in
the case of Class-B buildings.
REMUNERATION RATES
>>>
THE QUALITY OF LIFE
Szczecin is a unique place to live in. This is due
to its location, environmental conditions, and
its art and cultural resource.
Natural environment – the wonderful climate
is created by excellent environmental conditions, such as clean air, extensive green areas,
water and a short distance to the sea.
The cultural, leisure and tourist programme
– the city hosts popular concerts and cultural
events. The hotel and leisure services range
includes 6 800 accommodation places, which
are used by nearly 365 000 domestic and foreign tourists per year.
Efficient administration, high quality
healthcare and education – The City prioritises the highest quality of services for
residents and investors, which is confirmed by
many certificates and analyses of international
consulting companies. Modern treatment
and beauty services are offered, and there are
schools in the area with an international focus.
According to a study prepared by the Randstadt company, labour costs in Szczecin are
relatively lower than in the other large cities in
Poland.
The average monthly remuneration in BPO centres (PLN gross) - II 2013
IT
F&A
Call Center
Junior Specialist
3 000
2 500
2 500 – 3 000
>>>
Specialist
4 000
4 000
3 500
Senior Specialist
12 000 – 15 000
15 000
4 500
SZCZECIN | www.szczecin.eu
INNOVATION CENTRES The basis for the economic growth and competitiveness of regions lies in advanced technologies and innovative potential. Of considerable importance is also the presence of
scientific and research centres, as well as business-related institutions. As the largest city in
the Westpomeranian Voivodeship, Szczecin
constitutes a focal point concentrating various
entities which conduct and support innovative
activities.
The Westpomeranian Advanced
Technologies Centre (ZCZT)
The ZCZT was established by the West Pomeranian University of Technology, the Pomeranian
Medical University and several business entities. The Consortium’s goal is to integrate and
intensify scientific and research projects, especially those spanning R&D and implementation. The Centre’s activities focus on the development of new technologies, materials and
techniques for commercial applications. It also
cooperates with business entities, commercial
associations, and partners from the community and local-government sector.
>>> www.zczt.ps.pl
SERVICE INTER – LAB Centrum Transferu
Wiedzy i Innowacji dla Sektora Usług
The SERVICE INTER-LAB centre set up at the
Faculty of Management and Economics of
Services, the Szczecin University, aims to support the services sector and enhance the
region’s economic potential. Its tasks include
the intensification of scientific research at the
global level, the provision of services to companies and meeting their needs in respect of
innovations, the improvement of the quality
of education and ensuring access to business
practice, as well as the transfer of knowledge
and innovations.
>>> www.serviceinterlab.pl
>>>
The Szczecin Science and Technology Park
(SPNT) - Technopark Pomerania
Technopark Pomerania was established by
the Szczecin Science and Technology Park
(Szczeciński Park Naukowo-Technologiczny
Sp. z o.o.) with the aim of providing conditions
conducive to innovations in Szczecin and the
region, in particular supporting circles affiliated to the IT sector, including the outsourcing
of IT services. At present, Technopark Pomerania hosts 21 companies in the IT sector, which
deliver various services connected with ICT, to
be used also by large BPO companies. Under
the investment implemented by the SPNT, the
Technopark’s infrastructure will soon be supplemented by the region’s largest server room,
and office-conference facilities for the development of several dozen innovative companies.
>>> www.spnt.pl
The Regional Centre for Innovation and
Technology Transfer (RCIiTT)
The RCIiTT operates within the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin.
The Centre provides consultancy and training services in the field of technology transfer,
the funding of research and development,
and support for academic entrepreneurship.
It also initiates and coordinates cooperation
between the business and scientific sectors, as
well as fosters the growth of industrial clusters.
Its main objectives include:
yy creating a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship,
yy initiating and aiding cooperation between
the academic and business milieux,
yy improving the effectiveness of the process
of sharing and implementing innovative
technologies in the economy,
yy initiating and enhancing the transfer of
technologies from the R&D sector to the
economy.
The Centre’s services are designed for companies, researchers and university graduates.
>>> www.innowacje.zut.edu.pl
SZCZECIN | www.szczecin.eu
>>>
HUMAN CAPITAL
Szczecin has great potential when it comes to investments based on knowledge and requiring
cooperation with the international community. The city’s key advantage is its residents - their qualifications, education and command of foreign languages.
In response to the current needs of the labour market, the Faculty of
Management and the Economics of Services at the Szczecin University
offers education in five majors and 38 academic specialisations, within
full-time and part-time studies at the first and second Degree level. Possessing interdisciplinary knowledge on the functioning of various market structures, being well-versed in foreign languages and familiar with
the organisational culture of international companies, the graduates are
the answer to the economics needs of the Westpomeranian Voivodeship. Being acquainted with information technologies and specialising in
financial and accounting, as well as logistics and warehouse services, in
addition to management and tourism, they undoubtedly form a strong
potential on the labour market. As employees, they will be attractive for
both small- and medium-sized enterprises, and, having graduated in
Poland’s only specialisation of its type – the economics of services for
business – will be trained to work in BPO/SSC centres.
Piotr Niedzielski
PhD hab., Associate Professor
at the Szczecin University,
Dean of the Faculty
of Management and
Economics of Services
>>>
INVESTMENTS
Szczecin is a city which creates favourable investment conditions and a good entrepreneurial climate. The constant progress and improvement in the quality of life in the city has encouraged many
concerns to choose Szczecin as their location for investments.
One of the three Shared Services Centres within the METRO Group, METRO
Services SSC entered the Szczecin market in February 2012. Last year was
a turning point for us. We successfully completed the SSC project, offering
the first accounting services on the markets of Poland, the Czech Republic
and Slovakia. At present, we employ a staff of 80 skilled and active people
bursting with positive energy and contributing to the Centre’s continuous
growth and acclaim on the market.
By 2014, we plan to expand our personnel up to 250 employees and include
more countries in our accounting procedures. I believe that the promising perspectives for the Centre stem from the high-quality services possible thanks to young, educated, foreign-language-speaking people who in
exchange are given the opportunity to work in their hometown.
The METRO Service Polska organisation will become an improvement centre through the constant modernisation of its procedures and services. It will
provide its employees with good opportunities for the development and
advancement of their professional skills.
The presence of the UniCredit Group in Szczecin, dating back to 2009 and
strongly backed up by the local authorities, was motivated by the broad
selection of German-speaking labour force in the Szczecin region and the
city itself.
The beneficial business conditions allowed us to launch a back office providing high-quality banking services to the German and Austrian markets. This
has also allowed us to appoint professionally-qualified Polish management
staff. Szczecin has great potential indeed.
Sylwia Rodak
Operational Director
Metro Services
Hans-Jürgen Sachs
COO UniCredit Business
Integrated Solutions
SCpA Branch Poland