Region Description
Podlaskie voivodeship is situated in the north-east part of Poland. Its area is 20 180 km2 and is inhabited by 1 224 000 people. Podlaskie is divided into 14 administrative poviats. The capital of voivodeship and the largest city is Białystok (283 000 inhabitants). From the midst of other towns, small centers (population of up to 20 000) prevail, and there are only two towns – Suwałki and Łomża – where population is over 60 000.
Northern and eastern border of voivodeship coincide with the country border. Region neighbors are Latvia and Belarus. Crossborder localization creates very good conditions to wide economical co-operation with other countries.
Strengths:
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plenty of resources necessary to agriculture and nutritive sector development
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growing number of service and trading private companies
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highly specialized diary production (polish market leader)
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soft fruits production (market leader in production of: currant, blackcurrant, strawberry, cranberry and blueberry)
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manufacturing products well known on market (e.g. Łaciate, Serek Wiejski, Mleko Białe)
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manufacturing market niche products (herbs, mushrooms, ostrich meat)
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group of companies with stable international position
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growing potential of business surroundings companies and their influence on economical development
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increasing number of employees in companies with higher level of innovation
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big number of companies gaining information from internet
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post-secondary and high-school system developed in region
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high development potential reflecting in anticipatory usage of UE funds
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flexibility in adaptation to market conditions changes
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high potential in: machinery industry (agriculture machines, tractors), metallurgy, wood industry (plywood, chipboard, furniture), manufacturing for shipbuilding (concrete-mixer, windows, doors), textile industry (niche areas – market leader - girdles and underwear, moquette production, jackets), printing services (very modern companies), shipbuilding, agriculture and nutritive sector
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diversity of services in the region
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significant development of modern services in the region
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well developed bank services for companies and individuals
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dynamic development of crossborder trade
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retrofitting transport and logistics services
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well developed tourism services sector
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possibility of creation clasters in services because of crossborder localization
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huge development of high-school education net
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many high schools training stuff for services e.g.: medical, technical, tourism
Opportunities:
- healthy and ecological food demand
- entrepreneurship development on rural areas, services for agriculture
- creating financial instruments (EU funds) for supporting competition of companies
- marketability growth of the region as a good place for investment – reaching EU standards by enterprise modernization, implementing new technologies, improvement of quality, development of research and science co-operation
- creating conditions enabling utilization of market niche
- co-operation private high schools with companies
- possibility of services market development
- possibility of widening activities beyond region and country border
- possibility of utilization EU funds for creating new services
- creating complimentary services offered in diverse branches by various companies
- lobbing for stronger co-operation of eastern vivodeships
