Wrocław rated as the best in the ranking of the investment potential of Polish cities

The latest, third edition of the Antal, Cushman & Wakefield and Vastint "Business Environment Assessment Study" series of studies 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 location as a place to live.

Wrocław is the best for investors

Among the survey respondents who declared investments in the geographical development of the company, Wrocław obtained the greatest interest. The average rating of the city is 7.2 on a 10-point scale (an increase of 0.2 compared to 2019). This ranked the city in the first place (ex-aequo with Warsaw). The following aspects received the highest ratings: life (7.9), educational potential (7.7) and business potential (7.7).

We have the great honor to show that the strength of the economy and growth of a true European metropolis is in Wrocław. I am glad that this report is produced independently and with external expertise. This only confirms that Wrocław has been uphill for several years and is getting better not only for the business environment. It also excels in quality of life, education and healthcare. This shows that we are developing as a sustainable metropolis where it is worth investing. It is very important to us that it is the voice of entrepreneurs and investors who have a chance for success here. The good spirit of our city, its openness and European character make it not only good to work here, but also great to live. -Jakub Mazur, vice-president of Wrocław

Wrocław is the most dynamic metropolis in Poland

According to the authors of the "Business Environment Assessment Study" report, Wrocław 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 Wrocław as one of the best locations in Europe.

The results of this report are very positive for us. I am very glad that it was created on the basis of the opinions of investors and business owners, i.e. those to whom we actually address our offer. This means that we offer them what they really expect, and the strategy of dialogue between business, science and the city that has been pursued for many years is paying off. This success was also influenced by the fact that we have a very diverse investor market, and what connects so many industries is innovation. Firstly, this enables development, and secondly, in a pandemic, it gives the city an enormous resilience as a system. The data from this report is also information for us what and how to do to be an even better place for investing. -Magdalena Okulowska, president of the Wrocław Agglomeration Development Agency

Wrocław was appreciated for its infrastructure and real estate

According to the report, the dynamically developing infrastructure is a magnet that attracts investors to Wrocław. Air transport is the indicator with the highest value in this area, amounting to 8.5 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 Wrocław's investment potential is also the high availability of office space, and over 106,000 sq m is still 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 and the assessment of the availability of office space at 6.7 on a ten-point scale in 2021.

Wrocław 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. 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. -Marcin Siewierski, Associate Regional Head, Cushman & Wakefield.

Wrocław with great educational potential

Twenty-five universities, including the largest public university in the Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, guarantee a wide range of competences. Wrocław 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 rated 7.7 on a ten-point scale.

For several years now, Wrocław 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 Wrocław 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 essential for proper business management. -Anna Teodorowska, Regional Manager, Antal IT Services.

Wrocław 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 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 places to live in the ranking of cities taken into account in the study - all this makes Wrocław 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 Wrocław is not slowing down, since the beginning of 2021 we have been recording a great demand for human resources by our clients. -Katarzyna Sławińska, Team Leader, Antal Engineering & Operations.

In the last two years, companies such as Gates Corporation, UPM Business Hub, Oras and Klika-Tech have chosen Wrocław. A good predictor is the city's high position in the ranking of the Global Cities of the Future with the greatest business and economic potential. Wrocław was also awarded as the best in the category of small and medium-sized cities.

The "Business Environment AssessmentStudy" survey was carried out using the CAWI method among the heads of 809 companies in Poland in the fourth quarter of 2020. A 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 a 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 project is under the patronage of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency and Pro Progressio.