SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES AS AN INSTRUMENT OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT - EXPERIENCES FROM POLAND

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) - designated areas in a country where business activity may be conducted on preferential conditions - can be met in different parts of the world. They contribute to the modernization of regions especially in countries undergoing social and political transformation. These include some countries in Central and Eastern Europe (for e.g. Poland, Lithuania), as well as in Southern Europe (e.g. Croatia). SEZs have existed in Poland since 1995; today there are 14 active zones and the permission for their operation has been extended to 2026. The SEZs are believed to have considerably contributed to the economic development of many Polish regions and their successes have been internationally recognized. Their high standing in the "fDi Global Free Zones of the Year 2015" ranking (and its previous editions) seems to prove that. Therefore, the main goal of the paper is to present the wealth of experience from SEZs development in Poland. In order to give the full picture their development and outcomes have been described in both quantitative and qualitative terms. In case of the former, data concerning the number of jobs created, the value of investments made in SEZs, and the increase of SEZs' area have been analysed. As far as the qualitative aspects of SEZ development in Poland are concerned, the paper emphasizes their importance for transfer of modern technology and innovations as well as for the emergence of regional sectoral specialization, which contributes to the increase in the competitiveness of the hosting regions. Furthermore, the cluster structure of SEZs has been briefly described. In order to fulfil the main objective of the paper a review of the literature as well as an analysis of reports by governmental agencies, legislative acts, documents and information published by the Ministry of Economy have been carried out. In addition, data provided by the particular SEZs has been analysed. Research findings indicate the factors that determined the Polish SEZs' success as well as highlight activities that directly contribute to the ever-increasing attractiveness of SEZs in Poland. Some of the key determinants behind the successful emergence and operation of SEZs originate from a range of incentives and exemptions for investors, further changes in the law that facilitate their functioning and the significant activity of authorities managing the SEZs. The results of the research can serve as potential guideposts for other countries.