This “safe business harbour” includes three paths for potential participants: individual IT specialists, start-ups and mature companies – from microenterpreneurs to biggest players on the market. The programme was created as a response to the situation in Belarus and the need to provide a safe haven and a growth opportunity for the still thriving Belarusian IT sector, which is particularly vulnerable to persecution. It is worth highlighting that the programme is the only solution of this kind in Poland’s and Europe’s history, and one which, in addition, was created in just one week.

“Less than a year ago, Prime Minister Jadwiga Emilewicz announced the launch of the Poland Business Harbour programme. We are happy that we can celebrate its success today. Thanks to the fruitful cooperation with the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH), GovTech Poland at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP), as well as the Startup Hub Poland foundation, we are announcing the extension of the programme to additional countries. Supporting entrepreneurs is an objective that the Ministry of Economic Development continuously pursues. It is all the more essential during the COVID-19 pandemic, both in Poland and abroad. Forging closer ties between countries is equally important,” said Olga Semeniuk, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Economic Development, Labour and Technology.

Under the programme, a special type of visa was created, the only one allowing to take up work without the need of a permit, set up business activity and bring one’s immediate family to Poland. So far, 13, 565 visas of this kind have been issued. As a result, on the day the programme was announced, one out of every ten IT specialists leaving the country chose Poland. Now, after just a few months, one out of every two chooses Poland. It is several times more compared to Western European countries and three times more than the country ranking second.

Apart from visa facilitation, all programme participants can count on easier contact with accelerators, local governments and Special Economic Zones, which were actively involved in preparing solutions for reallocated employees and their families, creating temporary office and housing space. One of the package’s features also involves support for connecting entrepreneurs and investors as well as grants for R&D activities. Each business and start-up is offered support in the business concierge formula under cooperation with the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, or the Poland Prize programme, respectively.

The programme’s success led to a proposal of expanding it being included in the Polish Deal. Today, we fulfilled this promise.

The programme is organised by: the GovTech Centre at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Development, Labour and Technology, the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, and the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development.

Updated Poland. Business Harbour programme

As of today the Poland. Business Harbour programme covers additional countries: Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine. There have been no changes to the programme offer for Belarus.

“We wish to invest in Central and Eastern Europe. It is in line with the principles of the Polish foreign policy – Poland is to be a regional hub, and have a positive impact on its neighbours, so that it can provide long-term support to their economic growth, in particular in the area of new technologies,” said Marcin Przydacz, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Poland. Business Harbour for enterprises

Thanks to the Polish Investment and Trade Agency every small and medium enterprise, as well as large company can relocate to Poland. They can count on business concierge services, that is comprehensive assistance in relocating their business activity consisting in legal and investment advice. Currently, the value of investment projects run or completed by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency exceeds EUR 123.75 million.

“Poland Business Harbour is also a business development pathway – a dedicated team of experts to ensure a smooth relocation process. Now, the Polish Investment and Trade Agency offers its services to new countries. We welcome new companies which seek stable conditions to grow and reliable partners,” said Grzegorz Słomkowski, a member of the PAIH Management Board.     

Poland. Business Harbour for start-ups

Thanks to the involvement of the Poland Prize programme run by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development, new start-ups can apply under PBH for funding of up to PLN 300,000. So far, the programme has provided 20 start-ups, selected from out of 150 entries, with financial support and access to Poland’s acceleration ecosystem.

“The involvement of our institution in a new version of the Business Harbour programme is a natural follow-up to what happened over the past year to our Belarusian neighbours. The project provided for ad hoc support to Belarusian entrepreneurs and innovators at this very difficult time for them. A fast-track visa path, legal and residence advice, support for the relocation of companies to Poland, as well as the integration of these teams into Poland’s public and private business support ecosystem – that was the main thrust of the programme. We welcome the willingness to take the programme further and open it to other countries which are close to us geographically, historically and culturally,” said Mikołaj Różycki, PARP Vice President.

Poland. Business Harbour for individuals

Under the updated programme, anyone recommended by one of the partner companies listed on gov.pl/pbh can obtain a special PBH visa. There are already around 200 of them today, but the list remains open and is available on the programme’s website.

“The updated Poland. Business Harbour programme is another step in the development of the digital economy in Poland, driven – particularly in these sectors – by people. Thanks to the involvement of all co-organisers, and above all, Poland’s IT sector, we were able to extend our programme to other countries. This also helped bring together Polish companies with a huge demand for specialists and those who want to be part of Poland’s economic success. On this occasion, all companies which want to join our programme are invited to apply at gov.pl/pbh,” said Justyna Orłowska, Plenipotentiary of the Prime Minister for GovTech.

The central information point for those interested in using or joining the Programme is a dedicated website, available at gov.pl/pbh in eight language versions (in the languages of each of the six countries and in Polish and English).

A dedicated helpline has also been launched for the Programme, available at +48 22 334 99 77, which operates from Monday to Friday, 24 hours a day, in Polish, Russian and English. You can also ask questions by e-mail to: pbh@paih.gov.pl

 

Photo: Sebastian Indra / MFA