Agenda

09:30-11:00

The defence industry in Poland

Investments and modernisation of the Polish armed forces in the years 2013-2022
What does Polish defence spending look like?
Experience related to the offset and new regulations in this regard
Effects to date and desirable results of the defence industry consolidation
Plans and strategies of global corporations with regard to the Polish market
Ambitions, limitations and cooperation. The participation of Polish enterprises in the army modernisation programme

The city defined anew. Humans, space and infrastructure

Main trends in the development of contemporary urban organisms. Suburbanisation and returns to the city
The power of attraction. A traditional city centre versus a shopping centre
The evolution of behaviour and preferences of inhabitants. The need for public space
As accessible city. Modern communication infrastructure
How to build the attractiveness of a city? New possibilities for business and the economy
The spatial structure of a city versus its development opportunities
Private and commercial space versus public space in contemporary cities
Creation and management of public space. Success and failure

The property market in Central Europe

The current stage and prospects for development. Market capacity and plans held by investors
Should it involve the entire region or individual countries? The property market of Central Europe in the eyes of external investors
What capital is being invested in the Central European property market? The interest expressed by global funds. The role of the active local capital
Objectives of investors. Sectors with a promising future

Renewable energy sources

The share of RES in energy supply: today and tomorrow. The target share of RES in the energy mix (2030)
The dynamics and developments of RES: current conditions in Europe. The specific character of selected EU countries
Which types of renewable energy should there be for Poland? The influence of regulations on investments
RES versus the stability of the electricity system. Costs of installation and operation. Support from public funds
Integration of RES and the energy market
The future of RES: new technologies, an improvement in efficiency, and availability

USA and Europe - the pact has entered its final stage

When will the finale take place? The progress of works on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)
Have the political changes in the USA had an impact on the history of the alliance and the course of negotiations?
What follows from the findings of the TTIP for European and Polish economies? Enthusiasts and sceptics
Who will benefit and who will suffer? The TTIP and specific industries - energy, chemistry, metallurgy and agriculture

A new customer - a new consumer

Customers from the Y generation: their perception of reality and new models of behaviour
How to adjust market and sales models to the requirements of new customers?
Changes in the relations between producers and consumers: the role of new forms of communication, the Internet and social media
Technologies that prove helpful in recognising the needs of customers
Modern and efficient management of relations with a mass customer (trade, finance, the energy industry, and telecoms and media)

Nuclear energy in Europe and Poland

Prospects for the development of nuclear energy in the context of the EU energy and climate policy
Investments in nuclear energy - potential effects for other sectors of the economy
The state of play and the nearest future of the Polish nuclear project
Competences of European and Polish construction and engineering enterprises in the field of nuclear energy
The participation of Polish entities in the project. Relations between the state (as a regulator), the investor and potential contractors
Possibilities of cooperation between world leaders, Polish contractors and the R&D sector

European Digital Single Market

Main objectives of the DAE and the state of their implementation
The development of information and communications technologies (ICT) and their significance for the global competitiveness of the European economy
A call for a single digital market, key investments and potential benefits to the economy
Funds intended for the implementation of particular actions that serve to complete the Agenda

Cybersecurity

The crisis of confidence in the digital world. Is it possible for states and enterprises to achieve long-term success without cybersecurity?
From activists to terrorists-the scale and extent of risks. Potential consequences for states and economies. An analysis of examples
The more data is provided, the more possibilities there are. Challenges in the age of "big data"
Trust-building in cyberspace
The role of the state and enterprises in increasing the level of resistance to cyber-attacks

Polish food worldwide

Economic repercussions of political disruptions in the East
New alternative directions for the export of Polish food: the ones already used and the potential ones
State support expected by exporters: possibilities and mechanisms
The role of effective cooperation within the industry in the effectiveness of expansion of Polish products to vast and receptive markets of the world
Retail networks involved in the export of Polish food

Steel industry

The European plan for the metallurgic industry: declarations, assumptions and the reality of implementation
The level of tax and quasi-tax burden with regard to industrial energy buyers in Poland, illustrated with an example of the steel industry
Antonio Tajani’s Plan in Europe. The diverse level of progress and national peculiarities (United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Slovakia and Poland)
Innovations in metallurgy. The sectoral programme and plans held by particular enterprises
The demand for steel products in the EU versus the scale of import from outside the European Union
Main trends in metallurgy worldwide

The labour market

The situation in the labour markets in Europe. Common problems and directions of changes
Young people in the labour market. A diagnosis and a therapy
The offer of the labour market with respect to the expectations and requirements of employers
Education systems (vocational and higher education) versus the qualifications of graduates in the labour market
Migrations that take place in Europe due to economic reasons. Who benefits and who loses?
How to build a labour market that would be attractive for young people?

The gas market in Poland

On the road to the free gas market in Poland. Where are we now?
The regulatory policy and progress in liberalisation
The Polish gas trade system versus the European vision of a free market
The power exchange obligation: an assessment and prospects for the future
The baron and new suppliers in the reality of the free market
Purchasing strategies of large industrial customers

11:30-13:00

Innovations in production for the army: their role in the economy

The great investment programme for the Polish army as an opportunity to make a technology transfer
How to arrange for innovative solutions for the armed forces to be created in Poland?
Possibilities and examples of cooperation between science and the army
Civil applications of military technologies
Innovations in the production for the army as a development stimulus for the economy

Private partners of self-government

A fresh impetus to the cooperation between the public and private sectors
PPP is not the only solution. The scope and forms of cooperation: privatisation, common investments and educational programmes
Public interest in the free market Quality and efficiency of project selection procedures
Self-government and business. Is it a difficult relationship that has a promising future?
The role of specialist knowledge and experience in the management of urban systems The heating industry and the energy industry, waste management, utilities, and IT infrastructure

The property market in Poland

Maturity, saturation and capabilities. The condition of the Polish property market
Sectors of the market that are attractive to investors: offices, hotels, warehouses and shopping centres
What do investors expect? Changes in regulations. Incentives and facilities

Investments in the energy industry: financing

The scale of investments and financial needs of the energy industry
The position of the energy industry in the financial market. Is it a sector of trust or risk?
Possibilities of financing projects in the energy sector from EU funds as part of the new financial framework
Challenges for the energy industry and the institutions that provide financing of it. Possibilities of the financial market
The role of the state in financing strategic investments

Mining. A strategy for Polish coal

The restructuring of the hard coal sector in Poland. Assumptions and their implementation
Challenges related to overproduction and the level of employment
The repair of the sector versus social and development issues: Protective action in the labour market and the programme for Silesia
A vision of the future – economically sound mining. Coal in both Polish and European energy policies

E-commerce

The law and technologies versus online sales: barriers and possibilities
Efficient linking between online trade and traditional sales
What determines success and profitability in e-commerce
Payments as an element of building trust and loyalty
E-commerce: A new market and new regulations. The law, misuse and fraud, and countermeasures
How to pursue regulation so as not to stifle the free market? Experience gained in the most developed markets

Waste management

Functioning of the waste management system in Poland: basic data
Problems related to waste management in view of amendments to regulations
Monitoring of the waste flow and enforcement of payments for waste collection
Investments in the waste management sector
New technologies that shape the future of waste management
Public perception of the planned waste management (incineration plants and trade in waste)

Digital Poland

Dependence of economic and social development on the condition of the telecommunications infrastructure: examples from around the world
Removal of blank spots in access to broadband Internet. What results from the implementation of the Operational Programme Digital Poland for the years 2014-2020, in conjunction with the National Broadband Plan?
E-state - efficient, effective and reliable. Risks and the condition of critical infrastructure in view of recent experience
Advantages and disadvantages, as well as possibilities and limitations of the development of fixed and mobile telephony services
Legal and market conditions for the development of telecommunications infrastructure

Critical infrastructure: Technology and security

Physical and cybernetic risks related to critical infrastructure in key areas of the economy and administration (energy and utilities, banking, data traffic and logistics services)
Potential economic and social impact of obstacles to the functioning of critical systems
The specific character and scale of investments in the security of critical infrastructure
Standards of protection and their implementation in institutions operating in the field of critical infrastructure

What will come next in the East? Questions about the future

The east of Europe in the European policy. The crystallisation and evolution of views and attitudes
Long-term economic and political consequences of the crisis in the East
USA and Russia in the global raw materials market versus the prospects of the development of the situation in the east of Europe
Does Europe have a realistic proposal for Russia and Russians?
The role of Poland and the countries of Central Europe in the eastern policy of the EU

Food safety - the challenge of the 21st century

The dynamics of nutritional needs in Europe and worldwide. Demographic development in the South versus the ageing of societies in the North
The political and social situation in developing countries - a factor in global food production
The shift in global power relations as a challenge for the European agriculture, industry and economic policy
The role of Poland in building the global food security system
Possibilities of making wider use of the Polish experience in the transformation of the agri-food sector
EU states becoming independent from the importation of goods from outside the Community versus the stabilisation of agricultural production on the continent

Poland – South Korea Economic Forum. EU-Korea Free Trade Agreements: A model to follow?

EU-ROK FTA as a basis for EU’s trade agreements with other Asian countries, e.g. Japan, India, etc.
The status quo of bilateral economic cooperation; trade and investment opportunities for Polish businesses stemming from the EU-ROK FTA
“From manufacturing to R&D – Korean flagship investments in Poland” – investment opportunities in Poland for Korean companies, e.g. EU funds, the amended Act on Special Economic Zones and other incentives, etc.
ROK’s business model based on chaebols and the recent shift towards promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
The way in which cultural difference affects business cooperation when Polish and Korean entrepreneurs do business together

The Polish food market - a second wave of investments

Investments in the food industry in the last decade - the scope, specific character and the effects for the industry
Sectors of the Polish food industry that face new challenges
Pro-development investments: Innovations, new products, marketing and distribution
Potential sources of financing for investments
Is it high time to introduce a brand? How to create a European/global brand for the Polish food industry?

The steel industry: distribution, processing and services

The demand for steel products versus EU investments in infrastructure
Distribution and production: a difficult coexistence
Development through specialisation. Processing and additional services as a market asset
The significance of logistics in trading in steel products
The future of steel distributors in the EU

Investors and medicine

The private and insurance sectors in the public health care system - it is the patient that counts, not the source of financing for health care entities
Why are investors willing to allocate their capital in the Polish medical market?
Examples of activities pursued by such entities as industry investors, private equity funds, Investment Funds Societies and insurance companies in the medical market
An overview of ways of investing in the entities of the medical industry
The range of medical services constituting matters of particular interest to investors
Trends in and forecasts of the development of the private health care market in Poland; consolidation of the medical market

The citizens' energy industry

The citizens’ energy industry, prosumers and distributed generation in Poland: current state and prospects for the future. Are we to expect a revolution?
The influence of the citizens’ energy industry on local economic development, the future of non-urbanised areas and the level of energy security
The regulatory environment and barriers versus the dynamics of investments in the distributed energy generation. Energy cooperatives
Possibilities and rules of cooperation between conventional energy generation and the citizens’ energy industry. Necessary changes in grid balancing rules and cost-sharing

13:30-15:00

Participatory budgets

Pros and cons of participatory budgets
Experience gained by cities and the role of self-government, non-governmental organisations and urban initiatives
The process of building a participatory budget: from consultations, to submission of ideas, to selection of tasks to be implemented

Risks related to innovations

An element of risk related to innovative activity in the economy
Non-acceptance of risk as a barrier to the development of innovation in Poland
Should it be avoided, mitigated or accepted? Risk (resulting from business activity, as well as from market-related and macroeconomic factors) at the subsequent stages of an innovative project
Fiscal, legal and business impact of failure on an innovative enterprise
A risk factor in the activity of administration and state-owned companies, as well as in the regulations governing their operations. How to encourage the public sector to take bold decisions?
How to create a system that would accept the level of risk necessary to pursue innovative activity? Legal solutions, changes in the business environment and the new “climate for risk”
New financial instruments as an opportunity for technology companies. VC funds as an opportunity to commercialise risk-bearing innovative ideas

Energy efficiency in Europe

European programmes in support of energy efficiency. Achievements and experience
Where are the reserves? Industry, transport, construction and municipal economy. EU countries on the road to energy efficiency
How to stimulate efficiency-oriented undertakings as effectively as possible? The financing of projects
Economical and smart. Technology in the service of efficiency
Polish support programmes, experience, achievements and capabilities in the field of energy efficiency

Mining. A profitable mine

Is it possible for hard coal mining in Poland to be profitable?
Economic, organisational and geological conditions for profitability in hard coal mining
Investments that serve to increase the productivity of mines
Assumptions of new extractive projects in Poland
A model mine. An attempt to conduct a simulation
Clean technologies of coal use: Are there new opportunities for profitability?

Start-ups and young entrepreneurship

Conditions of initiating business activity. How to unleash the activity and entrepreneurship of the young generation?
Are there some “difficult experiences from the past”? Typical problems of the first stage of an enterprise’s existence in the market
How to make it easier to start? The role of experienced partners, education and administration, as well as investors
Entrepreneurship incubators and other mechanisms of providing support to start-ups

Investment attractiveness

A range of needs and expectations: investments preferred by Polish local government in the development strategies pursued by cities and voivodeships
Investors and their plans regarding the offers proposed by cities. What types of jobs may be offered in the coming years?
Factors that influence business and location decisions. Creating the investment offer of the country, its regions and particular cities
Special Economic Zones and other tools to support and encourage investors - the effectiveness of such an approach in the eyes of the administration and business
Active partners of an investor: institutions of higher education and schools, labour market institutions, specialist units of self-government administration, and the state as a regulator

Housing

Housing supply and prices versus the wealth of the society
Residential construction according to developers
The role of the state in housing development. Effectiveness of programmes that support purchases of flats
New flats to let: the state policy versus the free market

Business-friendly law

Does Polish law foster entrepreneurship? Declarations, reality and evolution
Changes to the provisions of civil, commercial and criminal law in 2015
The new criminal procedure. Will the interests of business and managers be better protected?
IT implementation in the judiciary versus the efficiency of its functioning in regard to business lawsuits
Relations between the Tax Office and an entrepreneur. It is a time for change

Diversity and the economy

Representation of women in the management boards of listed companies in Poland (a presentation of research results)
Does business have a gender? The role and aspirations of women in the Polish and European entrepreneurship
New leadership competences as an economically measurable value. Expectations of the business world and the market. Facts, data and arguments
Barriers to the access to high-ranking posts. The effectiveness of quota and soft solutions (e.g. voluntary targets)

Innovative agriculture

How to act effectively for innovations in agricultural production?
Environmental protection requirements versus efficient agriculture
Investments in modern processing
Fertiliser manufacturers and their new products. Cooperation between the chemical industry and agriculture
The EU financial framework as a source of support for investments in agriculture
Modern agriculture as a guarantor of food security of the country

The leisure industry in Poland and Europe

The role of sport, recreational, tourist and cultural infrastructure. Large-scale investments and investment programmes
Global trends in the leisure industry. Capabilities and dynamics
The influence of the offer related to leisure activities on the attractiveness of cities, regions and the country as a whole

Health care. A set of questions: Has the patients’ way to treatment become shorter?

The oncological package - an attempt at assessing the first quarter of 2015:
- Opinions expressed by the medical community and decision-makers
- Main conclusions of the work carried out by a special team
A summary of results of the so-called queuing package in other medical fields to date - including cardiology and paediatrics
The functioning of hospital health care, specialist outpatient care and primary health care within the framework of the queuing package

Clusters are not the only solution. Cooperation or competition?

Cooperation strategies: common funds, risks and profits. Purchasing groups, cooperative arrangements, networking and clusters
A map of Polish clusters: industries and their potential, achievements and plans
What are clusters for: building competitive advantage or creating ground for cooperation?
The concentration of technical know-how and production potential, better use of possibilities and resources, support for cooperation between enterprises, and cooperation between self-government and science
Do the clusters lend themselves well to increase the competitiveness of the Polish economy and promote Polish brands?
Clusters and their creators in Europe and worldwide. An overview of the most interesting experiences