Wroclaw raises the ranking of the investment potential of Polish cities

Wroclaw, the Polish capital of IT. A city that has been associated with modern technologies, the world of IT, ICT and ITO for several decades. But not only. The capital of Lower Silesia is also home to large international BPO and SSC centers. Since 1997, companies have invested over PLN 9 billion in the Legnica Special Economic Zone. They also decided to hire over 16,000 people. employees, twice as many as planned.

The latest, 3rd edition of the Antal, Cushman & Wakefield and Vastint - Business Environment Assessment Study series, presents the assessment of the business environment in Wrocław by decision-makers of Polish companies. It allows you to look at the Polish market from the business perspective and indicate the main trends in the economic development of the organization. The study analyzed seven factors that influence the attractiveness of cities and encourage investment. These are: infrastructure, office space, public administration support, educational potential, employment potential, business potential and the assessment of location as a place to live. The project is under the patronage of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency and Pro Progressio.

Wroclaw will go up in the ranking

Among the respondents of the Business Environment Assessment Study, who declared investments in the geographical development of the company, Wroclaw enjoys the greatest interest. The average rating of the city is 7.2 points (an increase of 0.2 p compared to 2019) on a 10-point scale, which places the city in the first place (ex-equo with Warsaw). places to live (7.9 p), educational potential (7.7 p) and business potential (7.7 p).

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the situation is stable and we are constantly adapting to changes and new market needs. At this dynamic time, Wroclaw still enjoys interest among investors. In the last two years, companies such as Gates Corporation, UPM Business Hub, Oras and Klika-Tech have chosen Wroclaw. A good predictor is Wroclaw's high position in the ranking of the Global Cities of the Future with the greatest business and economic potential. Wroclaw was also awarded as the best in the category of small and medium-sized cities - says Aleksandra Kłonowska-Drozd, Head of the Investor Assistance Team, Agency for the Development of the Wroclaw Agglomeration (ARAW).

Wroclaw is a leading economic, technological and cultural center and one of the most dynamically developing metropolises in the country. The city is known for its friendly approach to business: many renowned Polish companies have been established here and foreign investors have recognized Wroclaw as one of the best locations in Europe - explains Radosław Kostka, Acquisition Manager, Vastint.

The strength of Wroclaw's infrastructure and real estate

The magnet that attracts investors to Wroclaw is the dynamically developing infrastructure. Air transport is the indicator with the highest value in this area, amounting to 8.5 p on a ten-point scale in 2021. Wroclaw Airport offers many direct connections to major hubs in Europe. The city is also situated in the strategic triangle between Warsaw, Berlin and Prague. Each of these cities can be reached from the capital of Lower Silesia in less than 4 hours by car. The added value for Wroclaw's investment potential is also the high availability of office space - over 106,000 m2 under construction. The total stock of modern office space in the capital of Dolnośląskie Voivodeship currently amounts to 1,226,300 m2. The assessment of infrastructure is at the level of 7.2 p and the assessment of the availability of office space at 6.7 p on a ten-point scale in 2021.

The city of Wroclaw is one of the most advantageously located cities in Poland. The proximity of both German and Czech border crossings, modern and extensive road infrastructure, as well as public transport are important factors attracting investors' attention, says Marcin Siewierski, Associate Regional Head, Cushman & Wakefield. When it comes to the availability of office space, the city is no longer perceived as an "emerging market", but a well-established and mature business center, able to flexibly and efficiently respond to the market situation - adds the expert.

Growing educational potential

Twenty-five universities, including the largest public university in the Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, guarantee a wide range of competences. Wroclaw has over 109,000. students. Most of them specialize in engineering (27.8 thousand), then in the financial area (18.8 thousand), and then in IT (6.5 thousand). Educational potential was assessed at 7.7 p on a ten-point scale.

For several years now, Wroclaw has been a leader among all university cities in Poland, it can boast a real forge of engineering talents. Graduates of technical universities are the most attractive professional group for investors in the Wroclaw economic zone. The engineering background is complemented by financiers and IT graduates, who are currently almost twice as small as engineers, but we know perfectly well that they are necessary for proper business management, explains Anna Teodorowska, Regional Manager, Antal IT Services.

Development of the Wroclaw labor market

The strengths of Wrocław are staff with analytical and financial competences, as well as the presence of middle and senior level staff with linguistic competences. Equally high rates of staff availability assessment were noted among employees with IT competences and among staff with engineering competences. Wrocław is the largest economic center in south-west Poland. It is also the most attractive city for the relocation of managers and specialists, and the best perceived city brand in the country.

Dynamic economic and infrastructural development, strong brand of the city, number one in the category of a place to live in the ranking of cities taken into account in the study - all this makes Wroclaw attract new investments on the one hand, and on the other hand, being the largest economic center in the south-west Poland is also becoming the most attractive place for the relocation of managers and specialists. The employment rate in Wroclaw has not decreased, since the beginning of 2021 we have been experiencing a high demand for human resources by our clients - comments Katarzyna Sławińska, Team Leader, Antal Engineering & Operations.

About the study

The "Business Environment Assessment Study" was carried out using the CAWI method among the heads of 809 companies in Poland in the fourth quarter of 2020. The series of reports dedicated to major urban centers in Poland aims to describe the business reality in which companies operate. The material allows you to look at the Polish market from the business perspective and indicate the main trends in the economic development of enterprises. The report, prepared every year, contains information on the level of remuneration of specialists and managers on the Polish market. The full report is available at: https://en.antal.pl/insights/reports/investment-potential