The Economy of Kalisz Region

Na miejscu dawnej synagogi stanął Dom Partii, przebudowany dziś na nowoczesny bank The economy infrastructure of Kalisz region is characterised by an equalised medium level of industry, high levels of production and effective agriculture. The biggest interests of developed structure belong to food and processing industry, wood industry, textile industry and electro-engineering industry. This so called "equalised level" allows to reduce negative effects of progress and economic changes. It also prevents from ecological danger in Kalisz's natural environment. The organisational ownership and changes, privatisation of former state companies which proceeds very dynamically, they all have influence on rapid development of private enterprises and partnerships also with a foreign capital. Among the foregin share holders there are companies of wide renown such as: "NESTLE" , "GRUNDIG", "DOSCHE", "PRATT AND WHITNEY" and "ZETOR". The aid of capital, transformation of knowledge, experience and technology not only make economic development dynamic but they also advance formation of market economy in the area.

The industry of Kalisz area provides the country with 1,5% value of global production.

The leading companies are:

Food companies ("WINIARY SA", "MIROMARK SA", "HELLENA SA", "AUGUSTO" and other private firms),
Light industry companies ("WISTIL SA", "RUNOTEX SA", "POLO SA", "HAFT SA" - Kalisz; "TEOMINA" - Krotoszyn; "WOLCZANKA SA"- Wieruszow) which produce silk, plush, velvet, curtains and clothes,
Timber companies located mainly in regions of Kepno, Wieruszow and Jarocin (P.W."LIGNOMAT", Chipboard Company "PROSPAN" and Jarocin Furniture Company),
Electro-engineering companies, whose final products like carriages, various lathes, millers and machines and apparatuses for food industry are purchased in the country and abroad. This industry is concentrated mainly in Ostrów Wielkopolski, Pleszew, Jarocin and Krotoszyn.

Also the food processing industry (vegetables, fruit, meat and its preserves, ice-cream and drinks) has a very significant position in the economy of Kalisz area. ("PPH INTERKOTLIN", Z.P.O.W. KOTLIN, many private firms and ice-cream and beverage factory).

A very high position of Kalisz agriculture, being source of raw materials also for other regions of Poland, guarantees a dynamic development of those industries. Kalisz agriculture is characterised by high level of production and gained record places it in the first of the country, although potential capacity (the quality of soil, fertilising, the size of granges) is only medium in Poland. Highly development horticultural cultivation in greenhouses is also a speciality of Kalisz agriculture and it places the area on the second position in the country.

The restructure of economy has caused significant development of service and commercial sector, both of which were privatised earlier Many new structures like motels, supermarkets and wholesale firms increase the quality and range of service given.

The network of commercial and state banks is also broaden and many of their sections, branches and agencies have been created. In Kalisz area there are agencies of 17 banks with a country global range including two state banks (NBP, PKO NB) and the head office of Wielkopolski Bank Rolniczy (Bank of Agriculture).

Six of the banks have special station where stock investors may transact business on the stock exchange. Special attention should be drawn to Regional Agency of Development (Regionalna Agencja Rozwoju SA), a partnership whose aim is to undertake various activites that will develop Kalisz area in every aspect. The agency co-operates with almost fifty similar agencies united in Country Association of Agencies and Foundations for Regional Development and also with agencies working in countries of European Common Market. Regional Agency of Development has the function of capital institution that legally may accumulate and distribute the means for development and restructure of economy in Kalisz area.

Fot. Krzysztof Płociński