Bulletin no. 79 Autumn 2022

Dear Members and Friends of the Chamber,

It feels strange writing my very last Bulletin introduction, but this is an inevitable moment that follows on from my departure from the Chamber as of 1 September 2022.

Before I tell you more about this and reflect on my own milestones, I want to share some important news regarding changes in the Chamber. First of all, in March, our operations manager Anna Zadrożna went on maternity leave and in the meantime she has given birth to a beautiful daughter Natalia. We wish Anna and Natalia all the best and hope to greet the mother and the young baby soon in person. Also, our respected columnist Staf Beems has decided to end his column in the Bulletin after a period of 8 years. His experience and fresh look on business topics has attracted a large group of readers. I want to thank Staf from this position for his contributions to this magazine that have challenged and inspired many readers.

Now on to my own departure. Many years ago, exactly 11 summers ago to be precise, I started in this position as MD with a passionate goal and ambition – to make the NPCC an active and relevant chamber with a significant membership base, a wide range of activities and services of value to all its members, a strong foothold in the Netherlands, good coverage throughout Poland and a strong bond with the Netherlands Embassy. I had the drive and determination to make that happen and, although it took a while in some cases, together with the team and the board, I did ultimately succeed.

So, as I write this introduction, I am currently finishing off my work and handing my duties over to my temporary successor, Wouter Barmentloo, who will take over for the coming months until a permanent successor can be found. And as I hand over my duties, my work here, which has been a life-changing and incredibly maturing journey for me, comes to an end. These have been 11 long and inspiring years, with 11 Orange Balls and over 500 events organised in total, matchmaking services offered to 250+ companies, and 79 issues of the Bulletin produced with insightful interviews and columns both by and for our members. We have supported incoming visits from such honourable guests as the King and Queen of the Netherlands, as well as numerous ministers from various fields of expertise. I have sailed our chamber through good and bad times, and helped to

establish our organisation as one of the first international hubs in the network of NLinBusiness in the Netherlands. Working in this position, and being able to help our members do business in Poland and also assist Dutch companies landing in Poland by listening to their stories, sharpening their value propositions and introducing them to our (other) members in Poland, has been a real privilege and made this whole journey very worthwhile and meaningful to me.

It's important to mention that all the achievements listed above were a team effort, and they would not have been possible without the support of the incredibly active and motivated operational team that sailed the calm and stormy seas with me. This means the current team, consisting of Anna Zadrożna, Milena Zychowicz and Julia Necińska, as well as the many former team members who served us so well in the past, such as my very first assistant, Artur Windak, and all the other team members and friends of the Chamber, of whom there are too many to mention here. It has been a real pleasure to be on this journey together. Furthermore, the board members of the Chamber, both the current and former members, have been of the utmost importance for the success of our operations due to their invaluable advice, the way they challenged me, and simply for the time they spent in the Chamber. I also want to thank the sponsors of the Chamber for funding both our events and the Chamber itself through financial or in-kind support. Thank you for your trust in us! I am not hanging up my hat and sailing off into the sunset just yet. I will be staying in Poland and working in a different field: the offshore wind energy industry. I'll be revealing more details about that soon via my social media channels. I sincerely hope our paths will cross again, and hopefully in the not too distant future. For now, I would just like to say thank you to you all for putting your trust in me. I'm leaving you in the excellent hands of my successor, and I wish you every success with all your professional endeavours here in Poland.

Are we getting it right? Let me know at e.vandenburg@npcc.pl

Elro van den Burg

Photos: Elro van den Burg

Milena Zychowicz

Katarzyna Cegłowska

Marta Marchlewska Netherlands Embassy in Poland

Elro van den Burg Managing Director of the Netherlands-Polish Chamber of Commerce Julia Huub

Photo on Page 21 was taken at Browary Warszawskie

Advertisement management: NPCC

Contact: www.npcc.pl office@npcc.pl +48 22 419 54 44

Activities of Chamber of Chamber Agenda

MHC Mobility Orange Ball 2022

Annual charity gala for members of the Dutch business community in Poland Online

Hilton Hotel in Warsaw

C-level Finance and Tax Knowledge Circle, with Order2Cash CFOs and CEOs from this sector are invited to join this new group

Online

More info will be sent out directly to members of the community

C-level HR Knowledge Circle, with Randstad New HR Directors and CEOs from this sector are invited to participate Online

More info will be sent out directly to members of the community

Regional Business Lunch in Poznań Informal lunch for NPCC members in the Poznań region, where members can present a business case and hear about what is going on in the region Offline

More info will be announced via our website

New Members Consult Bi-monthly meeting for new members Online

More info will be sent out directly to new members

Business Drink in Warsaw Offline meeting for our members, with the possibility of networking Offline

More info will be announced via our website

Plenary HR Knowledge Circle, with Randstad

This HR Knowledge Group is open for all members

Online

More info will be announced via our website

C-level Finance and Tax Knowledge Circle, with Order2Cash CFOs and CEOs from the sector are invited to join this new group

Online

More info will be sent out directly to members of the community

Speed Business Mixer in Warsaw International speed business mixer with international chambers of commerce

Offline

More info will be announced via our website

Plenary Finance and Tax Knowledge Circle, with Order2Cash

This Finance and Tax Knowledge Group is open for all members

Online

More info will be announced via our website

Speed Business Mixer in Poznań Series of direct meetings where you have the opportunity to briefly introduce your company and exchange business cards Offline

More info will be announced via our website

Business Drink in Warsaw

Offline meeting for our members, with the possibility of networking

Offline

More info will be announced via our website

Elro van den Burg

Departing Managing Director of the NPCC

Your network will always remain, wherever you go.

Elro van den Burg has been the operational figurehead of the Netherlands-Polish Chamber of Commerce for 11 years. Now that he’s leaving in September to pursue new ventures, journalist Michiel van Blommestein sat down with the departing Managing Director and looked back at his tenure.

Advertisement for a webinar together with Sanne Kaasjager from the Netherlands Embassy that was initiated and broadcasted during Covid time.

Those who encountered Elro (53) during his tenure as Managing Director will probably have noticed his hands-on management style, combined with a heavy focus on personal contact. As unconventional as it may seem to some, his background as a Warsaw-based foreign media correspondent meant his profile matched closely to what the Chamber needed at the time.

“I had already been based in Poland for 9 years, working for around 30 different clients,” he recalls. “For the NPCC, I was the editor of Bulletin, and I continued doing that when I was asked to become managing director.”

Bulletin: You didn’t really have a background in business at the time. Why the career switch?

Elro van den Burg: “I was at a career crossroads. News publications were cutting their budgets, and if I had wanted to continue in journalism, it would probably have involved going back to the Netherlands sooner rather than later. Going back just didn’t appeal to me. And I also saw this as an interesting new step where I could develop new skills and play an important role for the business community in a central role between the Netherlands Embassy, international business organisations and the private sector. When Eric van Vliet, of Athlon back then, approached me about the position, I didn’t have to think long. I come from a family of entrepreneurs – my father ran a piano business – and it all just felt right.”

What can you tell us about the Dutch business community in Poland at the time?

“At the Chamber, we were noticing a shift in management at the multinationals. The number of Dutch managers at the helm of local Polish organisations was shrinking. Trust in local skills

and know-how was growing among the large multinationals from the Netherlands, and rightly so. While new medium-sized and small businesses from the Netherlands keep appearing on the Polish market, almost all the multinationals already have a presence here. And you need to have a different approach towards them.

We have found solutions for both groups. For new companies on the Polish market, organisations such as the Chamber and the Netherlands Embassy are very valuable first points of contact, maybe more than ever. This is because the local market is more and more competitive and if you are starting up in Poland these days, you are in need of knowledge.

The Chamber can help guide you through the difficulties of the start-up phase and help you find good partners in Poland. And for the aforementioned multinational companies, we have a very popular knowledge sharing programme. But it's true, it was not easy at the start, and we had to adapt our programmes.”

First NPCC conference on Logistics that took place at the premises of the Raben Group in Gądki with members of the NPCC and relevant speaker of the sector.

Business meeting on the Day of the Entrepreneur at the premises of OKW in Warsaw.

How did you go about it?

“One of the issues at the time was that there were too few members and too few events. So, my first task was to organise more events and energise the Chamber. Our main strength is that we have something to offer to every industry out there. Whether their activity is in finance, logistics or any other business, every business can benefit from membership. We have always taken a personal approach to our members and we want to know who is behind each member, and what their particular business case is. This is time-consuming but has resulted in loyal members for our Chamber. Networking events are great for smaller and medium-sized businesses, but the policy-makers at large multinational companies are far less

interested in them. We therefore organise strategy meetings for them. You really need to consider the needs of each and every group. That is the reason why we have many different types of activities.

In 2020, at the request of the new board at the time, we conducted a thorough analysis of our activities. One of the outcomes was that we needed to increase our focus on knowledge sharing. Due to the internet and social media, companies have become more able to get their initial footing in Poland without our help, so it was important to shift our attention from first-line support. One thing that came out of that, and which worked very well, was our Knowledge Circles. These are peer groups with participants from different companies that have a similar role or interest and share their experiences and ideas. For instance, we have a very active HR group, but we are also running circles on transport, accounting, and urgent topics like the KSeF. These circles have become popular, and the participants keep pushing us to organise them more often. That is very rewarding.”

Since you took charge, the NPCC has grown from 80 to 175 members, with chapters in Poznań, Łódź, Gdańsk, Wrocław and Kraków, and you even have a local presence in the Netherlands. How did you break out of the Warsaw bubble?

“The first thing I did was go out to meet new people and get them to sign up for membership. I became aware that there

Orange Goes green conference organised by Unilever together with the NPCC where Dutch multinationals and SME companies exchanged information on sustainable development goals.

Dutch Polish Business Award in the Netherlands with Ambassador Ron van Dartel from the Netherlands and Ambassador Jan Borkowski from Poland and Ronnie Luteijn owner of Hedro Farms, winner of the Dutch Polish Business Award in 2016.

was a Dutch business group in Poznań that was operating completely autonomously. So I reached out to them to collaborate, and it’s now a local chapter of the NPCC. We also merged with the Polish section of the NCH (Nederlands Centrum voor Handelsbevordering), a Netherlands-based trade organisation, in 2017. That eventually resulted in our joining NLinBusiness, the umbrella organisation for Dutch chambers of commerce abroad set up by the employers’ organisation VNO-NCW.

This has allowed the NPCC to make the most out of some great opportunities. When we spoke to the then-ambassador Paul Beckers of the Netherlands in 2014, he told us that it would be a very special year for Dutch businesses in Poland.

He couldn’t go into the details, but it turned out he was talking about King Willem Alexander’s state visit to Poland, his first one after being crowned king. We immediately kicked into overdrive, with bilateral meetings with 30 companies from all types of industries. For two months, we had a group of students calling up everybody in the business scene in Poland on our behalf. It was the start of our matchmaking service, and it put us squarely on the map.”

Did your journalistic roots help you in any way?

“One of the reasons I got this job in the first place was because I had built up a large network among businesspeople and government contacts in Poland. I have been very lucky as a journalist to be able to meet with so many different people from different industries.

Many of the assignments I was on required me to research a lot of business topics, prepare interviews and ask entrepreneurs from all over the country about their strategies and business cases.

All those years of carrying out interviews were highly formative for my ability to solve problems, and they help me make better decisions today. It is always important to ask yourself or your team critical questions to test if your focus is on the right place and if you have truly learned enough about the problem that you are looking to solve.”

Celebration of the accession of the NPCC to the platform of NLinBusiness with from left to right Jeroen Haver (NLIB) Sanne Kaasjager (NL Embassy) Elro van den Burg, chairman Coen Meijer (NPCC) and MD Edo Offerhaus (NLIB).

Meeting at the Netherlands Embassy in Warsaw between Polish and Dutch entrepreneurs that participated in matchmakings for the food industry.

What did you learn during your time at the Chamber?

“That’s a tough one, because there’s a lot you pick up over the course of 11 years. For me, it was a completely different way of working, a completely different field in which to do business, and there are so many sides to this work. I have been fortunate to have had plenty of motivated and smart team members over the years to help organise all the activities. We have also had an active board that supported me with their own networks, with each of them able to bring in particular knowledge from their own businesses, which was extremely useful.”

There were some pretty big events and challenges during your watch. Covid, a change of government, the war in Ukraine…

“Yes, the Covid pandemic was incredibly challenging for everyone, including the NPCC. A whole year’s worth of offline activities basically went up in smoke, which represented a hit to our approach of being as direct and personal as possible. Businesses have to face all kinds of issues, but it was also an opportunity for us to really show that we can help and make a difference. It forced the NPCC to reconsider how we could support our members in the most meaningful way possible. Could we, for example, help them in filling out forms to get government aid? Or perhaps offer other forms of guidance?

There were smaller business owners who did not yet have a command of the Polish language, but were responsible for a staff of 10 people. Others were dealing with redundancies and didn’t know how to handle that. In the end, we chose to organise a number of webinars with legal experts and other professionals. We immediately hit 50 participants per webinar, and many of them were facing really serious challenges. It is difficult to understand from today’s perspective but some of them had problems with appearing in front of a webcam.

Nowadays, we are still organising meetings of this type online as they are a great way to connect members from Poznań, for example, with those in Warsaw and Kraków. We also saw a temporary drop in contributions during that time, but thankfully we survived.

Another challenge we faced was when we needed to take a stance on the war in Ukraine, as different members have a completely different business outlook on the situation. One company may have interests in Russia, while another would be exclusively active in Ukraine. We’ve also seen many individual activities, including members who travelled to Ukraine on their own initiative to offer aid there. We did facilitate contact between different members and offered support where we could ourselves. Those are not things that will gain you much in terms of income, but they make you more relevant for your members.”

Now that you are leaving, what are the successes you will look back on?

“The first thing that comes to mind is the royal visit that I mentioned earlier. But also, there was the recent mission with Minister Rob Jetten from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Policy, during which we were able to organise matchmakings for Dutch companies from the sector with important players from the Polish offshore wind industry. And then there is the Orange Ball, which is our flagship event and is currently being worked on by Adrian Heymans. This event has become well known and highly regarded by the business community in Poland, and doesn’t need much introduction if you reach out for support or participation. But there are many other milestones that are maybe not so visible, but are just as rewarding. The fact that we have been recognised as one of the most important and active Dutch chambers worldwide by NLinBusiness is certainly among them, but also the fact that we have a stable team in the office with people who are strong team players and happy in what they are doing.”

Matchmaking session with a transport delegation from the Netherlands in 2018. The NPCC had set up individual meetings for the participants from the Netherlands.

Announcement of the amount that was gathered for charity during the annual Orange Ball gala with Maurice Idsardi (left) and Ben van de Vrie.

As for your successor, Wouter Barmentloo will be filling in until someone permanent can be found for the position. How are you preparing him, and what can you tell us about the search for a new permanent managing director?

“Wouter has been in Poland for a very long time now, and we’ve been working together since June to ensure a smooth transition. He knows the Polish culture extremely well and has extensive experience in running a team. We’ve organised several events together, including the upcoming MHC Mobility Orange Ball, together with Adrian Heymans. Luckily, I’m not involved in the search for a permanent successor (laughs). But I know the board is working very hard to find someone suitable. The NPCC is not a typical organisation. You need someone who not only possesses a broad knowledge of the Polish business environment, but who also has a background in sales. They need to have been based

in Poland for quite some time now, with a knowledge of the culture and the leadership skills to run a team.”

What’s next for you?

“My new job will involve linking up Polish businesses and public entities with Dutch companies for the development of the energy transition in Poland. I will be staying in Poland, and leading this collaboration between the public and private sectors. I feel that now is the time for this sector and there are many possibilities for Dutch companies in this country. The sector for renewable energy is truly on the rise and has always held my interest. There is a need for more knowledge in Poland, and we want to provide that knowledge and expertise from the Netherlands, but also take Polish knowledge to the Netherlands.”

So there’s a good chance that NPCC members will come across you in the future?

“I think your network will always remain, wherever you go, so there is a good chance of that. I really wish Wouter and my permanent successor all the best. And I also want to take this opportunity of your last question to sincerely thank all those people who made this such a successful journey: the Netherlands Embassy, the International Group of Chambers of Commerce, NLinBusiness and all their hubs around the world, the NPCC board, the operational team members and, last but not least, all the members of the Chamber.”

Author Michiel van Blommestein

Business meeting with the Belgian Business Chamber in Hotel Hilton with speaker professor and economist Witold Orłowski.

The visit of the royal couple to Poland in 2014. From left to right Her Majesty Queen Máxima and His Excellency King Willem-Alexander, together with former chairman Geert Embrechts and current chairman Coen Meijer.

Interview with regional member

Kees van Rijn

Managing Director Bart Kwiaty Polska Sp. z o.o. sp. k.

Poznań flowering the country

particularly important in terms of logistics. This has been a major advantage for us during our years of operation in Poland, and it's something that everyone should bear in mind.”

Can you tell us about the recent business developments/ opportunities in the region? Is the local government investing a lot in infrastructure, or are there developments in the regional labour market?

Can you tell us more about your company? Tell about the type of business you have, who your customers are and why you have chosen for Poland to do your business in?

“Bart Kwiaty is mainly an importer of fresh flowers, pot plants and greenery from all over the world. We buy our products from the Netherlands, Kenya, Ecuador, Colombia, Ethiopia and Italy, among others. Besides flowers, we are also involved in the transportation sector, which is an important part of the company's operations, and we have our own fleet of trucks. Our clients are wholesalers, large flower shops and funeral homes in the areas around Szczecin, Zielona Góra, Poznań, Piła, Bydgoszcz, Toruń, Gdańsk, Konin, Łódż, Wrocław, Częstochowa, Kraków, and many other places in between. Bart Kwiaty Polska is a 100% daughter company of Duyvenvoorde Flowers & Plants in the Netherlands, with the name Bart coming from the company's founder – Bart van Duyvenvoorde. We have been active on the Polish market for over 26 years.”

What is the reason that you are located in the region of Poznan? Was this a strategic choice or a coincidence?

“The reason why we are in Poznań was actually a coincidence. We were in contact with a Polish partner at the beginning of our adventure in Poland, but when that didn't work out and we went our separate ways, we decided to stay in the same location. We bought a plot of land near Poznań and continued with our business. And it turned out to be one of the best decisions we could have made.”

Can you recommend your region above other regions in Poland for companies that are looking to start or invest in Poland?

“First of all, Poznań has a very central location in Poland, so it can be used as a hub to get to other parts of the country. That is

“For our part, we are prepared to start increasing sales to smaller clients, such as individual flower shops. I expect the wholesale market to come under pressure in the future, partly due to increasing sales through supermarket channels, and partly because many of these stores are open at night.

It's important to respond to that change quickly and not just wake up when you've lost your market share. Additionally, the local government has invested a lot in the infrastructure around the region, enabling it to change enormously over the years. If I compare it with 1996, when I first came to Poznań, it is a huge difference! There is still a lot more to be done, but it is definitely helping us a lot.”

How do you stay motivated yourself in times of COVID-19 and how do you motivate your staff?

“It helps a lot if you like what you are doing. I'm not a man with a 9-to-5 mentality. I am here all the time, trying to find solutions when times are tough, which they definitely were during the Covid-19 pandemic. Of course, we implemented all the relevant regulations, but the situation was critical at times. Most of our staff are drivers, so you can imagine that when some of them have Covid, you are in trouble. We were therefore dependent on other companies, when we had been used to having everything under our own control. But the most important thing is that nobody suffered any serious consequences from Covid-19.”

Can you tell us which innovations you have implemented recently in your product or service or in the work floor?

“We have invested greatly in IT over the past few years as we have connected our computer system to the one in our mother company, so now we know what we are doing from both sides. And we have implemented a management system that allows us to see what our daily performance is, as well as the situation in terms of sales and transport. We then use all this data to analyse our operations so we can make future decisions.”

Business Drink in May

The May Business Drink was organised jointly by the NPCC and the Belgian Business Chamber in Podwale Bar and Books in Warsaw's Old Town.

The event was attended by almost 50 guests, including the Ambassador of Belgium to Poland and Lithuania, Mr. Luc Jacobs, and his wife.

It was a great opportunity to mix and mingle in an international community over delicious cocktails.

General Assembly

On 31 May, all members of the NPCC were welcome to join the online General Assembly.

During the meeting, we looked back at 2021 and looked forward to the Chamber's current and future plans.

Trade Mission on Offshore Wind

A trade mission to Poland on the topic of offshore wind energy, attended by Rob Jetten, Minister for Climate and Energy Policy, took place in Serock from 13-15 June.

The NPCC team was responsible, among other things, for the matchmaking sessions held on 14 and 15 June.

Read more about the incoming mission on page 28.

Regional Business Lunch in Poznań

On 25 March, the NPCC members in the Poznań region had the chance to participate in a Regional Business Lunch.

This was one of 6 lunch meetings in the Poznań region that gave one participant each time the opportunity to present a business case from their own experience. The topic of the first meeting was Ukraine, and how to support the refugees.

On 27 May, the next Regional Business Lunch took place, where Reinier van den Berg (chairman of the Bread of Life Foundation) shared his particular business case: “Receiving the Ukrainian

refugees – How to use your experience and network of 20 years for something your organisation has never done before.” (Read more about Bread of Life Foundation on page 26). A special guest at the event was Olena Paziuk, a Ukrainian student on Huub Droogh's Urban Management course, who talked about the situation in her country from her own experience..

A group picture with several participants. First from left Chairman Pierre Detry from the BCC and first and third from right are the Belgian Ambassador and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs

Chairman Pierre Detry of the BCC, Elro van den Burg and Milena Zychowicz from the NPCC carry out the traditional business drink lottery.

Agri Knowledge Circle

The NPCC, together with the Netherlands Embassy in Poland and BNP Paribas Bank Polska, organised a broadcasting event on 17 May, from the studio of 24/7 Communication, on the topic of the impact of the war in Ukraine on agricultural markets.

During the webinar, we discussed the war in Ukraine and its impact on food markets in Poland. We also invited specialists from Poland and Ukraine to give us an overview of the problems that can be expected going forward. We would like to thank all our speakers: Grzegorz Kozieja, Food and Agri Hub, BNP Paribas Bank Polska; Elena Neroba, Business Development Manager, Maxigrain; Dariusz Goszczyński, Director General, National Poultry Council of Poland; Marcin Galiński, Managing Director, and Krzystof Dębek, Trade & Development Director, both of Trouw Nutrition Poland; and Carolien Spaans, Agricultural Counsellor at the Netherlands Embassy in Warsaw, who also co-hosted the webinar.

The war in Ukraine has had a huge impact on the global agricultural market. Not only is it difficult now to sow crops such as corn, wheat and oat in Ukraine, but there is also a major issue with transporting goods.

In fact, according to recent data from the United Nations, around 25 billion tons of grain are currently stuck in Ukraine. It is predicted that, this year, the world will fail to receive around 4% of the global consumption of wheat, and about 3.5% of corn supplies. Check the webinar on our YouTube channel.

International Speed Business Mixer in Sopot

At the end of March, the NPCC co-organised one of our most interesting events – a Speed Business Mixer in Sopot.

This event gives participants the opportunity to introduce their company, talk about the services they offer, exchange business cards, establish new contacts, and acquire new customers, suppliers, investors, etc. Each registered participant was assigned to a number of different groups, where they could meet nine other people. When each session ended, the participants changed to a different group. This is a unique networking format that allows you to gain many contacts in a short time. Later on in the evening, the participants were able to enjoy a Networking Business Drink. Thank you to Raben for sponsoring the event and Andrzej Siess for taking part in the discussion.

Business Drink in April

On 12 April, we had the pleasure to invite our members to attend a Business Drink at the beautiful and modern premises of WeWork Mennica Legacy Tower.

After a short welcome speech, all the guests had the chance to take part in face-to-face business networking sessions. A special thank you goes to Vertigo Property Group for sponsoring this event.

Platinum Article

The role of support in professional development in attracting and retaining qualified employees Mateusz Żydek

expert from Randstad Research Institute

Contrary to the trends in many other advanced economies, the Great Resignation seems to have spared Poland. According to the results of Randstad's Workmonitor survey, the share of the Polish labour force actively seeking new employment opportunities has not changed significantly over the past few years, while the number of people who keep an eye on job offers has even slightly decreased. This development might indicate a drop in job turnover in the coming months, although at the same time it has to be said that this tendency doesn't apply to certain sectors, mainly the financial and insurance industry, retail and HoReCa.

The main reason why Polish employees change jobs is the chance to get a higher salary at their new workplace. Over the past year and a half, however, the willingness to develop professionally has also been steadily increasing. At the moment, the difference in importance between these two factors is negligible (45% for the former compared to 44% for the latter). Additionally, an increasing number of Poles think that they can find a new job easily – and not just any job but one either as good as their current one, or even better. This indicates that there is

an abundance of job offers on the market, although the available opportunities are not attractive enough in terms of wages, professional development, better employment conditions or better working environment.

Not all companies can keep up with the wage competition caused by wage pressure compounded by increasing costs of living. In such a situation, investment in their staff's professional development can be an important means of attracting and retaining qualified employees. While 57% of Polish workers care either a lot or very much about professional development, only 9% care either a little or not at all. At the same time, however, 60% of respondents think that it is the responsibility of the employer to care about their professional development, but only 34% believe they actually do. This gives companies an important opportunity for employer branding based on professional development programmes.

On average, professional development is more important for women; the younger the person is, and the better educated they are, the more they care about increasing their professional knowledge and skills. The most important reason for professional development is personal: almost half of the respondents stated that they like to develop their skills for themselves and learn new things for their own satisfaction. In the perception of workers, professional development gives them a better chance for a higher salary and increases their employability.

Although professional development for many of the respondents means participating in training and courses to improve their qualifications, as well as receiving certificates as confirmation, the more informal ways of gaining new skills, such as being assigned more complex tasks and responsibilities or acquiring knowledge from co-workers, are valued even more highly. A significant percentage of employees also expect some kind of recognition in terms of promotion to a higher position.

While Poland seems to have been spared the Great Resignation, the labour force turnover in the local market is still high, nonetheless. To mitigate the costs of turnover and attract qualified employees, employers should consider implementing measures supporting the professional development of their teams.

Staf Beems Entrepreneur and owner of Silesia Consulting

TIME TO SAY GOODBYE

Dear Elro,

You surprised me with your message a few weeks ago that you are to leave the Chamber. I had more or less prepared my column in my head, and I was planning to write it over the weekend of 19 July.

It was a coincidence as I had also planned to write and tell you that I have decided to stop writing columns for your magazine. In view of my age – 78 – I think it's time for a younger person to step in and bring a younger vision. Maybe following Dutch "rules", you could consider choosing a woman? Polish women are the foundation of this country and they have a lot of power. But since you are leaving, I assume this is no longer your decision.

My reason is a simple one. I have been writing for the Bulletin since the spring of 2013, producing a total, if I have counted correctly, of 28 columns, including this last one.

I must say that I did it with real pleasure, and even more so as the reactions and comments that I got showed that I was more than simply a page filler. And in my situation, being no longer directly involved in business, it was not always easy for me to come up with a subject to touch upon. I am not leaving Poland, although I will try to be in Holland more often now to have closer contact with my children.

What happens in Poland will always get my full attention, although maybe this is not exactly the best moment, with the developments at the Polish border with indirectly Russia and directly Ukraine.

When I made my decision, I realised that this would also be a good moment for me to look back on my time in Poland. How did I come to be in this country, why have I stayed for so long, and have I enjoyed it here? To answer that last one, I can confirm that I had an experience which you would usually only read in an exciting book for boys.

My first steps in Poland came on Sunday, 5 January 1975. Back in those days, I was a diplomat and we had come directly from Beirut. It was cold and grey; a real shock to the system. On Monday, we went shopping in Supersam. We had to wait in line for a basket, but we wanted two. The people behind us started shouting that only one was allowed. That was when we learnt our first Polish word – "Nie ma". Later, we found out that every shop had plenty of that, as the thing you did actually want or need was never available.

But what we saw was that we can get used to a new life in a new country very quickly. Two years later, we left not only Poland but also the foreign service, and we returned to Holland. But we'd had a great time here. Life was very well ordered, and when you saw something in a shop, you bought it. You couldn't wait as you never knew whether or not it would be there the next day.

My daughters went to the French school in the French Embassy, where there were maybe 15 children in total. Every weekend, we would go ice skating at the rink next to the Legia stadium, and my daughters were very happy to have ballet lessons next to the opera house. We lived in Saska Kępa and learnt very quickly how to do our shopping on Francuska Street. I joined an international football team and we played almost every Saturday, often even in the famous old stadium with room for 100,000 spectators. It was a great time to live and work behind the so-called "Iron Curtain".

At the end of 1992, I came back to Poland and was shocked again. The country had changed. As an interim manager, my first Polish project involved finding a company to outsource herring production. And I'm proud to say that Dutch herring has been prepared in Kalisz to this day. In 1996, I was invited to manage Friesland Polska, with its two dairy factories in Mława and Poznań, as interim CEO.

I remember my first business drink in the Marriot. The CEO of ABN Amro was leaving, and he told me that he was so happy to be leaving Poland. He even warned me off this hopeless country, in his words. Two years later, I was approached to join McCain, who were planning a new factory in Strzelin, close to Wrocław. After two years, I had done my job and I left. I was asked to replace the Polish CEO of Wavin Polska and moved to Katowice. We had two factories in Gorzów and Bytom, where we produced beer crates especially. Whenever I drive through Poland and/ or visit supermarkets, I can still see "my" crates. Lech, Tyskie, Okocim, Warka – you name it, we produced them.

But alongside all my activities, I saw Poland developing. In all the companies I worked at, I met young people highly motivated to speak English and to learn from us foreigners.

It was a gift for me to see what was happening. In 1975, there was one Supersam here; now, there are the best shopping malls in maybe the whole of Europe. Motorways are now normal. In 1997, the first ATM was installed close to Hotel Europejski. Now, they are on every street corner. Drive to Holland and just see how many Polish trucks are on the road. Or look at all the logistics centres that are springing up all over the country. Poland is the number one furniture exporter, and then there's all the IT activities as well. A country which had so many difficulties in the past simply becoming a state is now a booming country with lots of highly successful businessmen, and consequently companies.

But now, alas, the country is in trouble again. A war next door with an unimaginable end. But Ukrainian refugees have been welcomed as if they were family. Who could have predicted everything that has happened in Poland? I am proud to have been a witness to it, and proud to have been part of this development and success.

And in the meantime, Elro, I met you – a Dutch journalist with a positive attitude. You moved to the Chamber and turned a "sleeping beauty" into an active and vibrant organisation.

I understand your decision. It was very nice to get to know you, and to work with you. And it was always stimulating to talk to you. In short, our time together is one that I will remember forever. Furthermore, I will never forget the wonderful time I had in Poland. I hope that you understand my decision and this final column.

I wish you all the very best for the future.

Wszystkiego dobrego!

“How did I come to be in this country, why have I stayed for so long, and have I enjoyed it here?”

Watch our film on electric vehicles

The Virtual Gateway NL, created by NLinBusiness, is an immersive online showcase of Dutch solutions to worldwide challenges, with the 3D goggles and films available on the platform allowing these solutions to be seen all around the world. We are proud to present our latest film on electric vehicles.

To preserve planet Earth, we need to switch from fossil fuels to natural resources, and electric vehicles are a major part of achieving this goal. The Netherlands is a frontrunner in facilitating charging solutions for electric vehicles. A key success factor in making the charging of electric vehicles more accessible is cooperation and the sharing of knowledge. If this is done, charging electric vehicles will become as easy as

NL Business Hub Network

Highlight – NBCC North Sea Neighbours Dinner

charging your phone. This film showcases Dutch charging technology solutions that are travelling the world.

Scan the QR code to watch the film in 2D.

The third North Sea Neighbours Dinner – organised by the NBCC, the NL Business Hub in London – took place in Amsterdam on 9 June 2022 to celebrate the vitality of the long-standing British-Dutch economic relationship. The event served as a platform to shape the agenda of British-Dutch business together.

CEOs, captains of industry and senior officials discussed the future of the NL-UK trade relationship. Despite the negative impact of Brexit on that relationship, the majority of companies continue to want to grow.

At the event, N+P Group received the NBCC SME Award 2022, which is an award celebrating the contribution of SMEs to the private sector in both the UK and the Netherlands.

N+P Group provides sustainable solutions by turning waste into valuable new resources. Annemarie Dijkman, International Business Manager EMEA at NLinBusiness, was a member of the jury.

Finding business opportunities at the NL International Business Day

On 9 September, Dutch entrepreneurs looking to expand their businesses abroad are welcome to attend the NL International Business Day, where they will be able to enjoy one-on-one chats with NL Business Hubs from around the world, including Belgium, Germany, France, Kenya, Poland, Romania, Turkey, the UK, the UAE, China, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Panama. During this day, they will be able to search out interesting business opportunities and partners, and also network with other entrepreneurs, service providers and Dutch associations. All the information about the event is available on our website.

Wouter Barmentloo – MD of the NPCC

Wouter Barmentloo will be taking over as Managing Director of the NPCC after Elro van den Burg's departure in September. Bulletin asked Wouter about his work history and his plans for the Chamber in the coming period

You have been working in the Chamber since 1 June this year. What have your experiences been like so far?

Can you tell us something about yourself?

"I have been living in Poland for 25 years now. I lived in Warsaw, Poznań and Kalisz, before ending up back in Warsaw again. I’m married to Edyta, and we have a 17-year-old son, Pascal. Before moving to Poland, I lived in Varsseveld, a small town in the eastern part of the Netherlands. After graduating from high school, I gained a bachelor's degree in Integrated Logistics Management in Venlo in the Netherlands. In my professional career, I have worked for P&O Trans European, Raben Logistics and Maersk Logistics, before founding my own company, Barmentloo Logistics Consultancy. Over the past 14 years, I have worked for several companies, including Nestlé , Lomosoft GmbH and PDI Software Inc.

In the summer, I like to go for a bike ride or play a round of golf, and in the winter I’m passionate about skiing. I’m a person that is always looking for ways to improve existing solutions, to make things work better in a simple or clever way. That’s why I’m passionate about the supply chain; there are always new challenges to be solved."

Earlier this year, you decided to become a board member of the Chamber. Why was that?

"The connection with the Netherlands plays an important role in my social life. I was a board member of the Dutch school ‘Tien voor Taal’ in Warsaw for over 9 years, but that activity ended after my son finished there last September. From that moment on, I was looking for ways to get further involved with the Dutch community in Poland, and becoming a board member of the NPCC fitted perfectly with that."

"We have a very sound and solid group of members in a lot of different industries. Over the last few years, Elro has managed to introduce the inspiring Knowledge Circles and build from scratch the current hybrid (online and offline) communication channels with our members. This will definitely be developed further in order to meet the business requirements of our current and future members. The NPCC has a good standing not only with its members, but also with the Netherlands Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as NLinBusiness and RVO, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland), who remove barriers by providing inspiration, information and the right partners. From the operational side, a lot of effort, not only from myself but also from Milena and Julia, is currently being put into the preparation of the Orange Ball 2022, which I’m convinced is going to exceed all expectations. Other projects are already in the pipeline, and that is what makes the job at the NPCC so varied and challenging."

What would you like you say to the members of the NPCC? Is there something they can get ready for?

"Elro and his team have paved a very solid path on which the NPCC is moving forward at the moment. I would like to build on their achievements and increase the awareness of the NPCC amongst our members and their employees. It is important for me that the employees of our members should also be able to take an active part in the events we organise. Furthermore, I want to reach out and connect with the members of the NPCC all round the country. It doesn’t matter whether they are located in Kraków, Wrocław, Gdańsk, Poznań, Łódź or Warsaw, or how big or small their business is."

What are your goals for the Chamber?

"Today’s business landscape is changing rapidly and it is of the utmost importance that the NPCC is able to adjust in the right way to this fast-changing environment. By using our network, we should continue to provide our members with the access they need to the right local market information or intelligence. Finally, I’ll continue to spend time visiting our existing members to open up a dialogue where I can hear about their expectations of our services. It is important for me that we keep in close contact with our members and add value to their business in Poland."

Platinum Sponsor Interview

Is your company ready for the revolutionary changes to the Polish VAT system? László Šinković

Order2Cash, Senior Sales Executive

Moving towards a common e-invoicing standard

"E-invoicing is a global trend and a flagship European Commission initiative (A Digital Agenda for Europe). Nearly 90 countries are now mandating the use of electronic invoicing for B2B and B2G transactions around the world. Requirements vary by country, with different standards and formats, and diverse digital VAT reporting models. But despite this diversity, the direction is clear – we are moving towards digitalisation and the real-time reporting of transactions through national government platforms."

The National e-Invoice System in Poland (KSeF)

"According to the plans announced by the Ministry of Finance, e-invoices and the National e-Invoice System will become obligatory in Poland as of January 2024. Most VAT taxpayers will be required to issue structured XML invoices, which will then have to be submitted to the KSeF. This will revolutionise the invoice-issuing process, changing the way invoices are delivered, received and archived."

Preparing for the National e-Invoice System (KSeF)

"Preparing for this change is key. The necessary actions are contingent on various aspects of your business, such as the scale and type of operations (the number of invoices issued and received, the scope of data indicated on the invoices),

human resources (the availability of employees and their experience), accounting systems and computer applications, or organisational structure (which departments issue invoices). Key actions will involve establishing a KSeF data connection, API support, systems performance, and updates.

Taxpayers will be required to issue structured invoices in the form of an XML file. These invoices may, to some extent, contain a broader range of data than was previously necessary. Taxpayers will have to prepare for changes both in the invoice formatting and the scope of data the invoice may contain. Technical issues are obviously critical here, as the infrastructure must be adapted to the requirement of e-invoicing, but substantive analyses will be equally important. It will be inevitable to carry out mapping, for example, to determine the scope of necessary data.Failure to comply with the new requirements will not only harm your taxes and accounting, but, most importantly, it may affect your day-to-day operations as you will not be able to either issue or receive invoices."

What does the National e-Invoice System not provide that may be crucial for your organisation?

"The Ministry of Finance has declared that certain documents that are common in business transactions will be excluded from the KSeF. As an example, it will not be possible to attach structured attachments to invoices. There will also be no possibility to exchange pro-forma invoices. Moreover, foreign partners will not be obliged to use the National e-Invoice System, and therefore the taxpayer will be required to provide structured invoices to them separately.

When preparing for the implementation of the KSeF in the taxpayer's structures, consideration should be given as to whether, and how often, the taxpayer needs to send additional information along with the invoice, and in what form that has been done so far. It may turn out that after the entry into force of the KSeF, it will not be possible to continue the current method of operation.

For help with KSeF connections, and to prepare effectively, O2C is on hand to provide the necessary support."

Rafał Benecki

High inflation may get persistent in Poland

The big story at the moment is stagflation – the combination of an economic slowdown and inflation.

What can you tell us about this?

“Inflation is losing momentum, but still setting new multi-year highs. The collapse in the PMI (Purchasing Manager Index) supports our expectations for a technical recession in 2022. In Poland, CPI (Consumer Price Index) inflation for June rose to 15.6% year-on-year, but this was another month without any upside surprises. This is the highest level of inflation since February 1997. However, we worry about second-round effects which might lead to more permanent elevated inflation. With the strong decline in the PMI signalling a major slowdown, we foresee a technical recession in 2022. There is a risk of stagflation in Poland, and also in the Eurozone, in the second half of this year and at the beginning of 2023.”

Can you tell us about those reasons for the economic slowdown in Poland?

“In Poland, it's been caused by weaker external demand, we also see evidence that companies are no longer building up that much stock, which is important given that this factor made an

exceptionally high contribution of 7percentage points to the total GDP growth in the first quarter of this year. Another reason is the monetary tightening policies being pursued by the Central Bank, the effects of which will be seen in 2023 also. Another reason for some kind of slowdown would be the decline in the purchasing power of domestic households due to inflation shock. But here the fiscal expansion by the government is quite significantly factor offsetting negative impact of high inflation on the purchasing power of households, so the real effect of inflation shock is more likely to be seen in 2023 rather than 2022. In the second half of 2022, we will also have tax cuts, which should again have an impact on people's real disposable income. So those are all the reasons behind the slowdown.”

And what effect will this have on the annual GDP?

“For this year, we expect GDP to grow on average by 4.7%, but between the beginning and end of the year we will see quite a strong slowdown from 8.5% at the beginning of the year to 0.9% at the end of the year. So, overall, 4.7% is very robust, but through the year itself there will be a slowdown, which includes a technical recession taking place in the second half of the year, with the risk of a slowdown carrying over to the first quarter of 2023.”

Poland is dependent on exports to Western European countries. How does that influence the economy?

“There is a risk of production cuts in some sectors of Western Europe due to gas shortages. This is also quite a big story for us given that Poland is so much involved in Western companies supply chains. Poland is also facing a natural gas deficit, but here the problem is more manageable given lower reliance of economy on natural gas and investments in gas infrastructure (Baltic Pipe from Norway) undertaken decade ago. We assumed a cut in gas deliveries from Russia to Western Europe of 60%, that already caused a spike of natural gas prices which are 10 time higher than at the beginning of 2021. In response to that Eurozone economies, governments and companies already cut their gas consumption. At some point they can also prepare for the winter

Chief Economist Poland, Head of Research ING Bank Śląski

NPCC talked to Rafał Benecki, Chief Economist at ING Bank Śląski, who foresees a technical recession in 2022 and the risk of stagflation. However, the economy can benefit from nearshoring activities in the private sector.

by rushing to limit the usage of natural gas in the second half of 2022, in the run-up to winter, in order to build up stocks. And that would cause an economic slowdown in the second half of 2022, also impacting Polish production and export levels.”

Can you be more precise? Can you mention specific sectors?

“Yes, of course, but I want to mention that, in turn, there are also some positives in this quite pessimistic stagflationary picture. Early 2022 data also showed that some sectors are benefitting from this wartime situation. For example, we can see higher demand for heavy industry production, which means metal production, energy production, and certain other sectors. They are receiving more orders from Western Europe because some sectors there are losing profitability and are no longer able to produce using such expensive energy from natural gas. As a result, some orders are being placed in Poland due to the cheaper production here based on energy from coal. We have seen a certain strengthening in heavy industry, but we also hope that other sectors can benefit from new trend, which is called nearshoring. We are not sure yet how strong it will be.”

What is the impact of gas supply issues in Poland?

“Looking at the natural gas balance, we estimate the deficit for Poland to be between 15% and 20% of yearly consumption. Seems to be a comparable number to 15% what European Commission proposed and Member States agreed to voluntarily reduce. But numbers for Poland are counted without any additional adjustments on the demand and supply side. This situation is not completely safe, of course, but it is less critical than in Western Europe. Some kind of adjustment may be needed in those sectors which rely strongly on energy and heat from natural gas, but since manufacturing in Poland mainly relies on coal energy, this is less problematic than in Western Europe.”

Is the supply of coal not an issue?

“The logistics is challenging. But that is more in terms of delivering coal to small towns and regional heating facilities, not to businesses, because the coal which was previously imported from Russia was mainly used locally in households and heating facilities in the regions. We see logistical problems in terms of delivering and distributing coal bought from South Africa, Columbia or Indonesia because that will require deliveries to Polish ports by sea. The railway network is less prepared to absorb this kind of supply chain, which in the past came from Russia. Railway connections from the eastern side of the country are more developed, while from the northern side, from the ports,

the railway infrastructure has a lower capacity. So that could cause some potential problems, although more for households than for businesses.”

An important indicator for economists when predicting the economy is the PMI (Purchasing Manager Index). Can you tell us once more about that figure and some of the background?

“Current PMI data are reflecting a strong deterioration in foreign orders and a contraction in foreign demand. This may be caused by inflation shock in the Eurozone, which has not been fully offset by the new social spending, and that may temporarily reduce the purchasing power of Eurozone consumers, presumably also affecting Polish foreign orders. Secondly, problems with other deliveries may block production in Western Europe, hitting orders for subcomponents in Poland, so that is probably the second reason why the PMI is so pessimistic. Locally, we think there could be a slowdown in domestic demand, but so far, the signals are not that bad. I mean, consumer sentiment is very pessimistic, and households are assessing their future financial conditions very negatively, even worse than during the pandemic, but on the other hand they keep spending. And if we look at the details, we can see that this is maybe less on big ticket items, but more on necessities, which also reflects the demand coming from the two million Ukrainian refugees who are being hosted in Poland. They spend their previous savings and are also starting to work, so have new incomes. So, demand coming from the Ukrainian refugees may be another reason why the slowdown in domestic demand is not as pronounced as with foreign demand.”

You mentioned stagflation earlier. Is the government doing enough to keep it down?

“Poland is facing the problem of persistently high inflation, which may lead to a longer period of high interest rates than in other countries in the region like the Czech Republic, or Western Europe. And this is the main challenge which could slightly undermine the competitiveness of a company and its ability to fully benefit from the new opportunities provided by nearshoring Also, the policy mix is suboptimal, as we have very strong fiscal expansion in 2022, when inflation is high and GDP is growing fast due to the reopening after the pandemic, but we might not have enough fiscal stimulus in 2024 when Poland will have to face the gap in EU funds between the EU financial perspective for the previous and current financial periods. This will create an income gap, which is why I think the policy mix seems to be suboptimal as it's too expansionary in the short term and possibly too restrictive in the long term. This situation can make inflation persistent and lead to a longer period of high rates, which is, as you know, unnecessary.”

NPCC – BofL FUNDRAISER UKRAINE

Update on accommodated families

The Netherlands-Polish Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with Bread of Life to support Ukrainian refugees in Poland. This long-term project will focus on refugees who are unable to find adequate support in the regular refugee system, either due to illness or their difficult social circumstances.

family almost from the beginning of their stay in Poland, we found out about the family, and their story convinced us that they needed our help.

Since the end of May, the family has been settled in an apartment that we have rented for them. They are very happy and incredibly grateful. Within a few days of their arrival in Poznań, Artur found a job, although Alina has to stay at home since she needs to take care of the boys. Barbara, who is in constant touch with the family, helped them to fill out and submit the documents that were needed for Adrian to be admitted to a special education school. In July, he was examined at a psychological and pedagogical counselling centre, after which he was given a new disability certificate entitling him to attend that school. The family has not yet made a final decision about staying in Poland permanently.

The Bread of Life foundation not only has the expertise to provide this support, but also the operational strength to do so properly. By organising basic needs such as housing, food and clothing, as well as medical and psychological support and help in finding work, we support people in their efforts to become self-sufficient again.

In this article, Reinier van den Berg, director of Bread Of Life in Poznań, gives us a detailed insight into the support that was provided to the family of Artur and Alina Haribiants.

The Haribiants family came from the Kiev region. Artur and Alina, and their two boys – 8-year-old Adrian and almost 2-year-old Ilia –didn't want to leave Ukraine, but when they were forced to spend a week in a dark and cold cellar, they decided to flee to Poland. They escaped under fire, but managed to reach Poland safely, arriving in the town of Chełminko, near Pniewy, 60 km west of Poznań. Once there, Artur got a job in a company producing stairs. They lived in a room for workers sharing a kitchen and bathroom with two other families.

Adrian, the older boy, is autistic. He doesn't speak or make eye contact. He badly needs specialised care, and classes in a kindergarten or special school. It wasn't possible for him to receive professional care in the small town where they lived, but thanks to Bread of Life volunteer Barbara, who has been supporting the

The family is extremely grateful to the foundation and their sponsors for the opportunity to use the apartment. When Artur heard from his wife that they would receive an apartment and could move to Poznań, he couldn't believe it. The apartment is located in the Grunwald district, close to the Lech Poznań stadium, in a quiet area with renovated 4-storey apartment buildings. The apartment is 51 sqm, and has a living room, kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms, one of which one is very small.

Given the fact that Artur found a job very quickly, the family doesn’t need any more support for the moment. However, that could change in September when the additional one-time expenses related to Adrian's school needs come into play.

If you would like to support our collaboration with Bread of Life and help more families like Artur and Alina, any donations would be gratefully received. Please use one of the following dedicated bank accounts:

Bread of Life Foundation

EUR: PL81 1090 1362 0000 0001 4987 9244

PLN: PL83 1090 1362 0000 0001 4986 4464

SWIFT: WBKPPLPP

Reinier van den Berg Director at Foundation "Bread of Life"

Platinum Sponsor Article

Mobility spot – a fresh solution for corporate mobility

Carsharing, or shared use, is no longer a novelty. In recent years, several companies on the Polish market have introduced services allowing users to rent cars by the minute or by the hour. And with businesses looking for modern-day mobility solutions for their employees, similar services are now available to corporate clients. MHC Mobility endeavours to meet these expectations and to this end launched, in April 2022, a new smart mobility service – Mobility Spot. This is a new solution dedicated to corporate mobility, in which employees share a pool of various company vehicles. As part of this service, MHC Mobility offers a modern fleet management platform and full servicing, as well as easy access to various types of mobility and an intuitive mobile app for users.

Mobility Spot is an alternative to company vehicles that provides greater flexibility, cost optimisation, and promotes environmentally friendly transport solutions. So let’s take a closer look, and see who can benefit the most from this service. Let’s start by explaining what carsharing/poolsharing for business is all about. It’s an innovative service that allows employees or members of a specific organisation to share cars and other vehicles. Typically, solutions similar to standard carsharing are offered to anyone using an internal, dedicated app or on a subscription basis, exclusive to users from a given organisation.

In the first case, vehicles are available to all users of the service, with the start and end of the rental period being limited to a strictly defined area. In this model, users pay for actual usage time on a per minute or per hour basis. Regardless of the rates, this option may seem optimal for business owners, who only pay for “travel” time. However, this may change quickly when the number of required vehicles increases, as well as the overall time when they are in use, as a result of the company’s dynamic growth, for example.

In that case, it would be worth considering the second solution, which is much more flexible for both fleet managers and vehicle users. By this, I mean the subscription model, in which MHC Mobility – following a thorough audit of the company’s needs –can propose cost-optimal monthly driving time and mileage limits for vehicles used exclusively by the company. Only when these set limits are exceeded do the minute-by-minute or hourly rates apply. The vehicles are delivered to specific locations, such as

the business's premises or the employee's place of residence, and can be parked anywhere. Regardless of the selected plan, the costs of servicing, insurance and vehicle financing are included in the rental fee. When the client chooses an electric fleet, MHC also provides a number of additional conveniences, such as long-term rental of the charging infrastructure that enables fast charging of vehicles at the company's premises. With such facilities, ensuring the uninterrupted availability of vehicles becomes even easier and employees aren’t required to seek out charging points during work or after hours.

A VARIED SELECTION – A SINGLE POOL

One definite advantage of the subscription model is that it also enables employees to use the vehicles for their private purposes. And thanks to the significantly reduced costs of using EVs, more and more companies are opting for this solution.

An additional advantage of corporate mobility is the option to use not only electric cars – conventional passenger cars (pool and perk cars) and vans – but also smaller vehicles, such as e-mopeds and e-bikes. This gives employees the full freedom to choose the vehicle they prefer to use and the route they plan to take. For example, someone who lives close to work and has access to a cycle lane might decide against using a car and instead pick an electric bike for their daily commute. Avoiding the need to find a parking space and, above all, avoiding traffic are two very strong arguments in favour of electric two-wheelers. Meanwhile, an additional advantage of driving an electric car in most CEE countries is the possibility to use bus lanes and park for free in paid parking zones – which can significantly improve efficiency and profitability when employees are out performing tasks in the field.

Poolsharing is a forward-looking solution for anyone who expects flexibility in the availability and management of their company vehicle fleet. Thanks to the dedicated and intuitive mobile app, and the technical support for managers and users, each stage of introducing the service is made as easy as possible. Introducing EVs to the mobility platform is a natural next step that allows companies to realise that fleet electrification and the promotion of environmentally friendly solutions is the future, regardless of the size or profile of their business.

Incoming mission on offshore wind energy

From 13 to 15 July, the NPCC co-organised, together with the Netherlands Embassy, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Netherlands Wind Energy Association (NWEA), an incoming mission to Poland on offshore wind energy. The mission included a visit by Mr Rob Jetten, Minister for Climate and Energy Policy, who came to Poland to meet the mission participants and hold discussions with the Polish government on a bilateral agenda for energy transition.

Participants of the incoming mission on offshore wind energy met with members of the NPCC at the premises of the Netherlands Embassy.

A total of 16 companies took part in the incoming mission to Poland, participating in a three-day programme organised jointly by the Netherlands Embassy in Warsaw, RVO, NWEA and the Netherlands-Polish Chamber of Commerce. The main objective of the mission was to increase the collective visibility of Dutch companies and establish relevant contacts.

The mission also included participation in the third Offshore Wind Energy Conference held by the Polish Wind Energy Association, PWEA. Attracting more than 1,100 guests, this conference enabled the Dutch participants to attend many hours of expert discussions, panels and workshops. The meetings and matchmaking opportunities provided by the NPCC during successful previous incoming missions in August 2021 and December 2020 had already helped to pave the way, and it was therefore easier for the participants to build on the many online appointments made last December.

Ambitious Polish plans

Poland has very ambitious plans, particularly in the offshore wind sector, which are taking shape all the time. For 2030, 5.9 GW of capacity are under development, which will be followed by another 4 GW by 2040, with a possible further expansion in the following years. Developers such as Equinor, Ørsted, RWE and Ocean Winds have already secured positions for projects with Polish partners. In those areas where the expertise of the Polish supply chain falls short or can be improved, Dutch companies have an important role to play by sharing their knowledge. During the more than 100 matchmaking meetings that were set up, the Dutch participants were able to explain their areas of expertise and inform their Polish counterparts about the latest developments in the area.

During his one-day visit to Poland, Minister Jetten held two rounds of consultations – first with Ms Anna Moskwa, Poland's Minister for Climate and the Environment, and then with Mr Piotr Naimski, the then government spokesman for Strategic Energy Infrastructure. They discussed the topics of energy security, LNG and building a civil nuclear capacity. Minister Jetten concluded his visit with an exchange of thoughts with a small group of Polish non-governmental think tanks, where topics under discussion included the EU's Fit for 55 package, and many more besides.

Finally, the mission also included a meet and greet with several members of the Netherlands-Polish Chamber of Commerce at the Netherlands Embassy, which gave the participants the chance to gain lots of valuable information on the pros and cons of doing business in Poland.

Group picture with the delegation from the Netherlands and Dutch Minister Rob Jetten for Climate and Energy Policy (centre), during the conference in Serock.

Polish counterparts met with the Dutch delegation in individual meetings that were organised by the NPCC

The will have you sitting on the front row

With rising temperatures across the globe and fuel prices hitting an all-time high, now could be a good time to choose a different type of car – and the new, all-electric MercedesBenz EQE could be a good choice.

The new Mercedes EQE is to the EQS what the regular E-Class is to the S-Class. We got our hands on one for three days one weekend in August, and what we noticed right away during our test drive was that it is a very, very smooth car that feels very solid due to its air suspension. At 4.95 metres long, it is 20 cm shorter than the EQS, its bigger brother. We were driving the AMG version, which gives 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 4.2 seconds. The figures of 476 hp and 1000 Nm of torque are impressive, and after just a couple of attempts at foot-to-the-floor acceleration, it became very clear that the car has true AMG acceleration.

The car cuts through the air like a knife through butter. Some electric cars nowadays have an unusual, sleek shape with a sloping roofline. The EQE is the same, which shows that Mercedes-Benz has taken the issue of aerodynamics very seriously. It may not be the best-looking electric car around, but you'll be amazed by the effect aerodynamics can have on a car's range.

The EQE has a ton of options. For example, the EQE model with air suspension also has the option to raise the vehicle level. So if it's a bumpy road, or you're going slightly offroad, you can raise the car a little to ensure a smoother ride. Another option worth mentioning is the rear-axle steering, which can even allow the rear wheels to turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels, thus massively reducing the turning circle. The default setting is 4.5 degrees, but it can be increased up to 10 degrees. This is a pre-built option that can be unlocked when buying additional packages.

Inside the car, the driver’s seat is truly a stunning place in which to sit, and this is where the design of the MercedesBenz really excels. The dashboard has a wooden inlay with pinstripes, which looks great, while the infotainment system uses the latest MBUX 2.0 software, meaning it has various connected functions, embedded satellite navigation, and wireless smartphone mirroring functions.

Our test vehicle also featured the augmented reality (AR) navigation function, which shows a live camera feed in the central display with arrows overlaid to match the sat nav prompts telling us to make a turn or change lane. It's a cool party trick, but we actually found it a bit distracting when we were looking for the right way to go.

One thing I wasn't so sure about is just how upright the upper parts of the backseats are. In the E-Class, they recline much more, which makes them a lot more comfortable. Moreover, the batteries in the car's underbody make it seem like you don't have too much room under your feet.

The last thing to mention is the price. The cheapest version of the EQE costs 381,000 PLN. But if you want the version that we drove, which came with a panoramic sliding sunroof, light metal rims and a whole host of other options and packages, it will set you back 444,000 PLN net. For that amount, you can buy yourself one of the best electric cars on the market. And although it won't necessarily turn people's heads, in terms of performance and interior design, it will have you sitting on the front row.

Aviko

Aviko is the worldwide market leader in frozen potato products and one of the four largest potato processing companies in the world. Established in 1962, the company today has 12 factories in Europe & China and operates in more than 110 countries. Aviko is backed by the financial strength of its Dutch parent company Royal Cosun, with its annual turnover of €2 billion, which allows Aviko to invest in its continuous growth.

Aviko believes that sustainable success can be achieved if the product provides added value for every link in the chain. This creates a win-win situation for everyone associated with its raw material – the potato. Aviko does this by focusing on environmental factors, trends and the needs of business customers and consumers, among others.

The final result: innovative products that bring joy to dinner tables all over the world.

Aviko Sp. z o.o. Tadeusza Wendy 15, 81-341 Gdynia, Poland Tel.: +48 58 66 24 300 E-mail: office@aviko.pl www.aviko.com

PM Services

PM Services Poland Sp. z o.o. provides a range of consulting services in the construction sector. Our motto is "We do care for your projects" as we always engage fully in every project, which makes us a trustworthy and reliable partner for our clients.

Our team is comprised of highly experienced engineers who are experts in many fields, including construction, electrical, mechanical and HVAC installations, and the road sector. We pay great attention to quality, safety, timeliness, and all matters connected with sustainable construction. Our expertise and many years of experience mean that we can find the best technical and legal solutions to any obstacle encountered during the investment process.

Our knowledge of the local market allows us to organise the construction process and carry out the tender procedure on behalf of investors in an efficient way, securing all their interests in the financial and technical aspects.

Our services include project management, investor and banking supervision, carrying out BREEAM, LEED, DGNB and WELL certification, energy performance certification of buildings and also the verification of projects, as well as preparing cost estimates for any project and carrying out tendering procedures.

PM Services Poland Sp. z o.o. Zbożowa 4, 70-653 Szczecin

Tel.: +48 91 831 27 07 E-mail: info@pmservices.pl www.pmservices.pl

New Members

VMI Group

VMI several

All our solutions are engineered to your particular demands no two customer processes are the same. team of experts will discuss your plans and wishes with you in depth, not only for now but also for the future, so that we can identify the optimum solution together.

Our machines are produced in state-of-the-art manufacturing and service facilities in the Netherlands, Germany, Brazil, Poland and China. Combined with our service centres in the USA, Malaysia, Thailand and Russia, we are always close at hand for whatever support you may need. 1,600 people across the globe are continuously striving to take our industries to the next level by providing state-of-the-art, innovative technology to make our customers more successful. Epe Netherlands Koops

Holvo Polska

Holvo Polska is a company with many years of experience in the supply of parts for earthmoving and road construction machinery. We also import and export pre-owned and new agricultural equipment.

Moreover, we offer a wide range of transport options with tautliners and semi-low loaders for bigger machines.

Holvo Polska Sp. z o.o. www.holvopolska.com

Resort Marketing

We create content for use in online and offline media, including business, product, social media and custom publishing content. We have our own production facilities (studio), which means we are able to create the content in-house, using all photo and video formats.

We specialise in food, lifestyle and FMCG projects, and have a special fondness for the plant industry.

Resort Content House is a combination of creation, production and our own studio.

Resort Marketing Sp. z o.o. ul. Senatorska 36 60-326 Poznań E-mail: foto@resortstudio.pl Tel.: +48 739 906 546 +48 739 190 877 www.resortstudio.pl

Huub Droogh is an urbanist and partner at RDH Urban in Poznań

Dancing on an active volcano…

It is late July as I write this column for the September issue of Bulletin, and the summer holidays have started. The forests in France, Spain, Portugal and California are ablaze, as a result of the high summer temperatures and a prolonged lack of rainfall. A large-scale crop failure awaits the north of Italy, where the rivers of the Po Valley are dry due to the lack of meltwater from the mountains. The daily news, however, is dominated by the hardships being experienced by tens of thousands of tourists. Their plans for mass-booked holiday getaways are being hampered by delayed flights due to long waiting times at airports plagued by staff shortages. I have compassion when I think of the suffering of young families, waiting for hours on end next to the packed McDonald's in climate-conditioned departure halls. After being forced to spend their holidays in their own country for two years in a row due to the Covid restrictions, they have finally got back their right to celebrate their well-deserved holiday in Egypt, Turkey, Spain or the Bahamas. However, it's with a degree of mild cynicism that I imagine a family leaving home in their Tesla extra early in the morning to get to the airport in time, only to miss their holiday flight to the fire-ravaged Algarve.

Apparently, Greta Thunberg’s contribution to the worldwide climate debate has not yet convinced people of the link between flying and climate change…

Climate change offers opportunities for innovation – that's what I'm told in both the 'old' and 'new' media that I consult. So not only has climate change opened up a completely new market segment for the international conference industries, but it also offers many companies seemingly endless markets for new products that give consumers the feeling that they are playing their part in averting the impending climate disaster. Marketers skilfully play on the anxious minds of young parents who want to offer their children a safe base for a prosperous life. So, besides more expensive 'eco' fruit and vegetables, packaged in carefully designed eco-friendly looking paper, there is a huge offer of new 'eco products' flooding the market to feed the illusion of consumers that it isn't necessary to slow down their lifestyle. All the hype has made leading an eco-friendly lifestyle trendy, particularly among young urban professionals with incomes that increase yearly and who enjoy the connected credit facilities. Be honest: how nice does it feel

to connect your energy-efficient Korean air conditioner or heat pump – which can be programmed remotely via an app on your latest smartphone – to the China-produced solar panels on the roof of your own house? Not to mention if your new electric or hybrid car is also connected to this private 'power plant'… More consumption to combat the consequences of an exhausted world – how brilliant and cynical can it get?

It's not a policy urged by governments, or by popular social media influencers, to bring fewer children into the world instead of more. However, that would be the most efficient way to slow down the climate crisis. It's also not trendy to prolong the use and/or repair of your 10-year-old television, washing machine or car, even if they are still working perfectly. It is not recommended by tourist organisations to spend your vacation in your own town, just as it is not advised by air conditioning installation companies to simply open a window at night to cool your house. Why? Because it leads to shrinking instead of growing consumer markets, so no CEO or politician is willing to commit career suicide by talking about it.

Let’s be honest and clear: as a society, we have collectively crossed the Rubicon, and we have done so with full awareness. The adage "After me, the flood" is starting to be literally fulfilled.

On 25 February 2022, a day after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it became clear to me that the climate catastrophe is inevitable – despite all the well-intentioned manufacturer and consumer initiatives to improve the situation by increasing the consumption of 'smart and innovative' products. After years of travelling by private jet to international climate conferences, February 25 was the moment of truth for our world leaders. If, on that day, Xi Jinping, Narendra Modi, Fumio Kishida, Joe Biden, Ursula von der Leyen on behalf of the EU, Jerome Powell, David Malpass and Christine Lagarde had called Vladimir Putin to order in one joint statement, I might still have believed that the international community would be able to take responsibility towards future generations. That joint

statement should not have been a condemnation of the illegal incursion into Ukraine by Russian troops, however.

It should simply have stated that the world can no longer afford these kinds of ego-centric regional geopolitical conflicts, because all countries' efforts must be directed towards combatting the collective global threat of climate change.

A statement along the lines of 'Vladimir, back into your cage, we can no longer afford this kind of nonsense…'. But that statement was not forthcoming because each 'world leader' believes that they may be able to derive some short-term political benefits of their own from the war, in the hope of extending their respective term of office. After a few years of conflict, China and India will colonise bankrupted Russia as a dependent supplier of cheap fossil fuels. After running out of most of their military equipment, an exhausted Russia will no longer be a military threat to NATO, so the USA will be relieved that it just has to be prepared to deal with the one remaining military superpower. And the EU? Ah well, the EU… The President of Ukraine, Mr Volodymir Zelensky, had a full-time job on his hands receiving all the EU country leaders, who tried to boost their own popularity by seizing the moment for a selfie with the new Che Guevara of the 21st century. And as a realistic politician, he is more than aware that giving up a bit of his time is a relatively cheap price to pay for a sophisticated missile system.

So the family waiting in line at the airport check-in desk doesn't have to feel guilty about being there. They are just doing exactly what is expected of them by their employers and political leaders: continue to consume till their children drop –literally – dead. To ease their conscience, of course, the airline involved will recommend paying for the CO2 emissions of the journey through a symbolic surcharge on the ticket. More information on that is available in the trendy, acid-free printed brochure which can be found at the information desk behind the iPhone display in the duty-free shop!

“More consumption to combat the consequences of an exhausted world – how brilliant and cynical can it get”

Messages from the Embassy

New Trade Programme to support Dutch companies doing business abroad

Many companies have experienced business setbacks on account of Brexit. Some 35,000 Dutch businesses regularly traded with the UK before 31 January 2020, since which time many have lost sales, market share or encountered trade barriers. It is calculated that they are missing out on €40 billion of untapped export potential. A new EU Trade Programme, under the so-called Brexit Adjustment Reserve, can support your efforts to explore new markets, providing an alternative to the British market. The Dutch Enterprise Agency RVO is responsible for implementing the worldwide programme, which has a total budget of €32 million, due to be carried out before the end of 2023.

Companies admitted to the programme will receive access to demand-based individual and collective support. In short, the types of support available will comprise: a) a capability programme to improve competences and knowledge

New Senior Economic Officer and Deputy Head of the Economic Section

It is our pleasure to introduce Frank van de Pieterman as the new Senior Economic Officer and Deputy Head of the Economic Section in the Embassy's economic team. We are delighted to have him on board from

Agenda Events in 2022

12-14 September 2022 – New Mobility Congress in Łódź

An annual event organised by the leading trade association in the Polish sustainable mobility sector, the Alternative Fuels Association (PSPA). With the support of the NPCC, the Embassy will be organising a substantial and visible Dutch footprint at this conference.

21-22 September 2022 – AIPH

Matchmaking Mission to Polish retailers

A mission aiming to promote flower and plant exports to Polish retailers that will include a retail safari across Warsaw and in-person talks with Polish retailers.

of exporting in order to boost diversification; b) a trade impulse programme aimed at accelerating (existing) trade with alternative markets through promotional and business development activities; c) a bilateral cooperation programme to develop the trade potential with not yet obvious trade partners, i.e. in relatively new or emerging markets; and d) support for trade missions/fairs aimed at companies that want to expand their expertise, regional knowledge and networks.

To be eligible, Dutch businesses (KvK-registration required) need to prove that they have been negatively affected by Brexit, which means providing evidence of lost sales or market share, or of other trade barriers (such as customs), dating from before January 2020. If admitted companies are interested in bilateral activities to boost or develop trade with Poland, RVO and the Embassy could be interested in co-developing activities with them. Since the programme is intended to be demand-driven and business-oriented, however, the initiative should come from the commercial entity.

Scan the QR code to learn more, and to register your company if you are interested!

mid-August! Frank has an academic background in psychology, economics and international relations, and he has lived in various countries, including Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates and Papua New Guinea.

Just before joining the Embassy, he worked as an agroeconomist at the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. In his free time, Frank is an avid chess player, bookworm and long-distance runner. We hope you will give Frank a warm welcome to Warsaw and Poland!

3-9 October 2022 – Circular Week

Events include the release of the Circularity Gap Report for Poland, a screening of the "Going Circular" documentary film, business roundtables on various topics, plus the Mazovia Circular Congress in Warsaw, where we are expecting a significant Dutch presence.

Stay updated and follow us on NLinPoland's LinkedIn page!

Messages from the Embassy

Design for the future

Design is part of our everyday life, from one morning to the next. It can be seen all around us – in the breakfast cutlery we use, the packaging of the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the means of transport we take, the pavements we walk on, the mattress we sleep on and the magazines we read. All these things started somewhere with the 'design' of a product. Design determines if a product is safe, comfortable, functional and aesthetic. Product design is a huge economic driver in how we do our shopping, not to mention its increasing contribution to our GPD.

Design for Sustainable Cities" conference, which brought together professionals from the cultural, creative and social design sectors, as well as decision-makers, intellectuals and activists from all over Europe and beyond, in order to stimulate research, strengthen commitments and offer space for reflection (www.pja.edu.pl/en/).

When organising the conference, we were delighted to cooperate with the Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology. The event appeared to represent an inspiring basis for further initiatives in the context of Social Design, so the idea was proposed to bring Polish art academies into contact with their Dutch counterparts.

Although sustainable design is already part of the curriculum in the Polish academies, it was felt that the exchange of ideas, knowledge, experience and best practices with the Dutch institutes could enhance the quality level. This idea was warmly welcomed by a number of Polish and Dutch academies.

One of the main objectives of the international cultural policy pursued by the Netherlands – for which the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, and the Minister of Education, Culture and Science are responsible – is to harness the power of the cultural sector and creative industries in efforts to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. We believe that the cultural and creative sectors provide opportunities to make an innovative contribution to raising awareness about the SDGs and fostering their achievement.

In 2020, the Embassy was at the helm of the "IF – Social

“The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice.

Since person-to-person contacts are the most effective, the Embassy invited the international offices of the Royal Academy in the Hague, the HKU University of the Arts Utrecht and the Design Academy in Eindhoven to come over to Poland and meet with the School of Form in Warsaw, the Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology in Warsaw, and the Faculty of Management and Production Engineering at Łódź University of Technology.

The idea is to enable them all to get better acquainted with one another, and take part in a number of meetings where they can discuss various issues and see if there is a future in cooperation on the Sustainable Development Goals.

The 17 Goals are all interconnected, and in order to leave no one behind, it is important that we achieve them all by 2030.”

www.sdgs.un.org/goals

Cultural attaché Martin van Dijk at Łódź University of Technology, fitted with various sensory devices designed to make the wearer feel old and frail.

Remco van der Kroft Advocaat (Dutch licensed lawyer) and partner of Olczak-Klimek Van der Kroft Węgiełek

“Cucumber time” and the simplified joint stock company

For a while, it looked like the war in Ukraine would make the EU forget about the rule of law in Poland. On 1 June, the European Commission gave a positive assessment of Poland's recovery and resilience plan.

Poland's plan allocates 42.7% of the EU funds it will receive to measures that support climate objectives, thus increasing the share of renewable energy in Poland’s energy mix. It includes substantial funding for offshore wind energy plants, as well as key changes to the regulatory framework facilitating the construction of offshore and onshore wind farms. With the NPCC recently hosting a Dutch business mission focused on offshore wind energy, it would appear that Poland’s ambitious plans in this field may indeed create some interesting business opportunities.

The Polish government trumpeted its success in having the Commission approve its recovery and resilience plan, but conveniently forgot about the conditions that have to be met. The Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court will have to be replaced by a court that complies with the requirements of EU law in line with the case law of the European Court of Justice (ECJ), i.e. one that is independent, impartial, and established by law. Poland has to make sure that judges can never be “subject to disciplinary liability for submitting a request for a preliminary ruling to the ECJ, for the content of their judicial decisions, or for verifying whether another court is independent, impartial, and established by law.” Another condition of the EU is that those judges affected by past Disciplinary Chamber rulings will have the right to have those rulings reviewed without delay by a court that complies with the above-mentioned requirements. In other words, it will take a while before Poland sees its money.

I thought that right now, it’s holiday time, so politically not much should be happening. This column started out as a column about legal matters, but over time it has become more and more political.

So maybe I thought “cucumber time” may be a good moment to discuss a corporate form which has been in existence for just over a year now – the simplified joint stock company.

In Polish, a simplified joint stock company is called “prosta spółka akcyjna”, abbreviated as “PSA”, which also happens to be the genitive form of pies, meaning “dog”, but I suppose that is beside the point.

The PSA has been created to allow Poland to remain competitive amongst other countries, and the Polish legislator took inspiration from countries such as the Netherlands, where the so-called “Flex BV” was introduced in 2013.

Creating a joint venture company in Poland was always very difficult.

In a joint venture, the roles of the joint venture partners are often very different. There is one partner with the great idea, the recognisable name or the hard work, and another one with the money, who is looking for a good return on their investment. The investor wants to protect their money, the founder wants to make sure that their idea remains theirs, even when the joint venture is dissolved. Similar problems appear in family companies when the next

generation comes in as shareholders but, for example, only one sister has business acumen and the others just want to take their dividends.

Another advantage of the PSA is that one can also contribute to the company’s capital by providing know-how or work. Shares in the PSA can provide priority voting rights, such as veto rights for certain decisions or the right to appoint board members. Also, when it comes to profit sharing, everything is possible, e.g. one can grant a certain return on investment to a specific shareholder or grant one shareholder the right to take profits before the others. All in all, the PSA is a very useful corporate form that allows shareholders to structure their relations in a way that makes economic sense.

But Poland would not be Poland, if during the week between first handing in this column and the publication date, there would not be another crisis: the unimaginable pollution of the Odra river. Like every crisis, the opposition immediately blamed PIS, government supporters blamed Tusk and the Germans, and nobody knows for sure what happened. Today it was reported that the Polish state enterprise KGHM with an official permit dumped salt into the river. How can a factory get permits for that?

“For some strange reason, this period is called “cucumber time” in the Netherlands.”

Powering the future of movement