European Economic Congress in Katowice is one of the most important events in Central Europe. This year edition gathered around 8500 participants, in over 100 debates on social and economic issues.
Steel industry was present from the very beginning of the congress. Mr. Morawiecki inaugurated the event in a panel „ Investments above all”, in which chairman of ArcelorMittal Poland Sanjay Samaddar participated as well. Inauguration of congress coincided with official gala at Kraków unit of ArcelorMittal Poland, where earlier at the same day Mr. Morawiecki officially opened the 500 m PLN investments.
Execution of investments worth 500 m PLN is connected with a belief in good condition of Polish economy and potential of steel industry however as Sanjay Samaddar points out there are no risk-free investments. Poland is a country which is offering a proper infrastructure and the macroeconomic parameters where the risk is worth taking. It is one of those places, both thanks to its location and economic situation, that is offering, in principle, a stable environment for investments. However, we have to take into account the challenges and draw a balance between responsibility to the community, natural environment and return from the investment. This is where we are currently as a steel business challenged because there is a climate policy under discussion at the European Union, implementation of which can severely impact the steel business. It is an especially important matter for the Polish industry as the damage is potentially collateral for coal mining sector and steel business. Coal is a national and strategic asset, and if steel industry consumes less coal, then it directly impacts the mining sector.
Another important topics undertaken during the debates were climate policy, prices of energy, aggressive competition. During a congress health and safety issues were also raised. Monika Roznerska, HR director of ArcelorMittal Poland took part in a debate. Discussion evolved around directions in which labour law should change to better serve employees and employers.
