IV European Congress of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises introductory press conference

16.05.2014

On the 15th of May, a press conference introducing the IV European Congress of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises took place at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice.

The conference was attended by: Jerzy Buzek, Prime Minister of Poland from 1997 to 2001, President of the European Parliament from 2009 to 2012, Chairman of the Honorary Committee of the IV ECSME, Tadeusz Donocik – President of Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice, Dawid Kostempski – Chairman of the board of the Metropolitan Association of Upper Silesia and the President of Świętochłowice, Mirosław Sekuła – Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship and Piotr Uszok – President of the City of Katowice.
 

What's new?

Firstly, Tadeusz Donocik briefly presented the new thematic areas that will be covered during the three days of the Congress. When it comes to novelties, this year's Congress will see the inclusion of the US-European SME sector cooperation and Poland's water economy as discussion topics. As usual, strong emphasis was placed on areas where science meets business – For the first time we were able to involve Polish Vocational Education Centers and their foreign counterparts in the Congress. Therefore, the discussion about vocational education will be far more practical – Tomasz Donocik emphasises. Ten years since the EU accession, the organisers of the European Congress of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises plan to exchange experiences with our European partners – We are particularly interested in the presence of the representatives of the 9 countries that joined the EU with us at the Congress – explains the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice.
 

To hear the voice of SMEs

Jerzy Buzek strongly accentuated that once again the Silesian Voivodeship will host the Congress that deals with economy and reaches far beyond the borders of our region or even Poland. The former President of the European Parliament stated that it is the biggest event of that type in this part of Europe. Event organised to hear the voice of small and medium-sized entrepreneurship whose role in the economy is no less important than that of bigger enterprises. During the Congress, we want to recognise the needs and requirements of SMEs so that the attending politicians from Poland, the EU and outside of it will hear what is important for the economy from their point of view – Jerzy Buzek signals.

 

 
The Economic NATO

It is a special right and duty of the Silesian Voivodeship to talk about small and medium-sized entrepreneurs – started Mirosław Sekuła. The Marshal of our Voivodeship accentuated the fact that the whole economic environment of this region of Poland builds cooperative advantage. - Silesian Voivodeship is currently the promised land for small and medium-sized enterprises. Their development here is unmatched and strongly supported by all the economic organisations that, luckily enough, cooperate effectively – said the Marshal. Mirosław Sekuła also reminded that during the recently finished European Economic Congress the term "Economic NATO" was used. – If we will be able to broaden the cooperation possibilities considering this new economic term, then the development chances for our enterprises will be much bigger – Mirosław Sekuła mentioned.

 

MAUS to co-host the IV ECSME

During the conference, Tadeusz Donocik revealed that, beginning with the upcoming edition, the Congress will be co-hosted by the Metropolitan Association of Upper Silesia. Dawid Kostempski, chairman of the board of MAUS expressed his contentment that during the Congress the representatives of self-government, government administration and entrepreneurs will be able to meet and talk with each other not only about positive matters but primarily about all the problems and obstacles to specific endeavors. – I think that during the plenary sessions we will discuss that topic  and – just like every year during this Congress – draw appropriate conclusions – Dawid Kostempski admits.

 
Even bigger possiblities for the ECSME

There is no need to convince anyone that, with each passing year, Katowice is becoming a more important business center. It also aspires to be among the most modern ones. In that context, Piotr Uszok, in his closing speech, referred to new objects being built in Katowice. I would like for the Congress to grow bigger in the nearest future. I mean this not only in the aspect of discussion, but also in the possibility of showcasing SME products and services – finished the President of the City of Katowice.

 

We would like to invite everyone to the IV European Congress of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises that will take place on September 22-24, 2014.