THE IRISH economic slowdown and the search for new markets attracted over 120 Irish managers to Warsaw yesterday for the Enterprise Ireland conference "Opportunities in the Construction Sector in Poland".
Karen Cohalan, director of Enterprise Ireland in Poland, said the interest in the conference, bringing together developers, regional authorities and EI client companies, reflected growing Irish interest in the Polish construction market.
"The idea was to create an environment where you can find out what is happening in Poland, to see what the local investment projects are, and to get the Irish people to present what they can offer," she said.
"The situation back at home has been turning and businesses are pressurised to look for other markets elsewhere. In Poland, things are happening," Ms Cohalan added.
A survey published by the Polish Agency of Information and Foreign Investments (PAIZ) found that Poland is increasingly perceived to be a good place to invest, with the business climate unchanged from last year.
Replies from 84 companies resident in Poland, including 49 foreign enterprises, found that foreign perception of Poland is better than last year.
The country is now seen as one of the most interesting places to invest in Europe, with significant improvements in political stability, tax issues, social insurance and infrastructure.
"I came here today to test the waters and am hoping to establish successful relationships in Poland. We have to broaden our business base," said Declan O'Sullivan from Fehily Timoney and Company.
"The impending economic downturn will probably also reach Poland, but there are still oppor-tunities here with the EU pumping money into the country and there is capacity in the industry to spend it."
Paul McGarry, managing director of Future Build Systems, which manufactures prefabricated building walls, commented: "We are looking to export our technical knowledge and source Polish companies who can benefit from our services."
"In Ireland the market is exhausted and here in Poland we have people, equipment and funds," said Tomasz T Buczek, director of the Investor Assistance Office in Bialystok.
"There's a lot happening in the construction sector, including in infrastructure, residential property and shopping centres. Ireland has the experience we need. It is also a model to follow," Mr Buczek said.
