One of four awards presented during the official gala of the 28th Economic Forum in Krynica, Company of the Year 2017, honoured the Polish Development Fund for its significant contribution to the development of the Polish economy.
PFR was included among the most esteemed guest of the evening ceremony: Lithuania’s Prime Minister, Saulius Skvernelis, who was presented with the Man of the Year award by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, the best NGO, that is the Polish Humanitarian Action, and maestro Krzysztof Penderecki.
In his speech, the Minister of Investment and Economic Development, Jerzy Kwieciński, emphasised the importance of the role PFR plays in execution of the Strategy for Responsible Development. “PFR has been executing the largest programme for start-ups in this part of Europe - Start in Poland. It may pride itself in numerous spectacular transactions, for example retrieving Pekao Bank from Unicredit in cooperation with PZU, financing construction of two ferries for the Polish Baltic Shipping Co., the expansion of the North Port in Gdańsk, or the construction of the Łagiewniki Route,” listed the Minister.
All of this was possible within as little as two years of the company’s activity. This year, PFR is involved in even more initiatives and investments with a significant impact on the Polish economy. It was during the Economic Forum in Krynicat that the PFR announced a purchase of 35% of shares in Solaris Bus & Coaches S.A. and the founding of a new investment fund worth PLN 100 million, which will invest in young tech companies in Poland.
“Since PFR was founded two-and-a-half years ago, we have been working very hard to ensure that Polish companies can access the same financial and advisory instruments as their foreign competitors, so that the Polish economy could develop. Thanks to cooperation within the PFR Group, we are able to carry out important economic projects. This award proves that successful implementation of the Strategy for Responsible Development is a fact,” emphasised Paweł Borys, Polish Development Fund President, during the gala yesterday evening.
However, new challenges ahead of Polish Development Fund consist not only in investments, but also ensuring financial stability of Polish families by contribution to works on the Employee Capital Plan draft act, and the implementation of these regulations as soon as they come into force.
