Funding opportunities for foreign investment within Poland: 2014-2020

Currently, in Poland implementation of the new multi-annual financial framework for 2014-2020 begins. Considerable resources are being provided to support many economic sectors. Apart from the EU structural funds, companies can also benefit from a government subsidy program that is mostly intended to promote R&D or environmental projects, as well as other forms of state aid and tax exemption in Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

SEZs and corporate income tax exemption

Through the acquisition of investment in SEZs, companies can obtain a two year exemption from corporate income tax (CIT) in the amount of up to 50% of capital expenditure or gross wage costs of the entire staff working on the project. The corporate tax exemption is a form of state aid that can be granted to a company, up to the limit specified in the relevant provisions. Business operations in a SEZ can be done by making investment within an existing designated SEZs.

Promoting R & D activities

In the next few years, R&D activities will be one of the most important areas of support, both as a part of government subsidy programs and the EU support funds. If business owners are planning to expand their business, they should consider in the first place, whether projects to be implemented, are indeed a R&D project. Some production companies perform R&D activities daily without ever being aware of it. Research projects are mostly understood as activities, aiming at development of new products, materials, substances and innovative technological processes. Also, initiation of co-operation with research institutes and universities is also regarded as a research activity of the company.

Ecological and other investments

Implementation of investment and eco-investments in companies is mostly funded by EU Structural Funds, although this area can also be supported from Polish state funds. Currently state and regional operational programs for the years 2014-2020 provide funding for investments in various areas of business. In the previous funding period investors could obtain very high subsidies, most of which were granted in the form of non-repayable grants.

Funding opportunities for investment under regional operational programs also cover environmental and eco-investments, which was aimed at protecting the environment, reducing pollutant emissions in the economy or increasing the energy efficiency of production facilities, private and public buildings.

Source: POLEN aktuell, May 2014