The code of good practices on local content from the Ministry of State Assets is a step in the right direction, but it needs further refinement, according to Maciej Wyczesany, CEO of Apator. Key changes must affect public procurement law, as price remains the only recommended criterion. Without clear rules, an intermediary of Asian companies registered in Poland could meet all ministry guidelines while delivering equipment made in China or Taiwan.
Maciej Wyczesany spoke during the EEC Members conference in Warsaw. He referred to the so-called code of good practices on local content, signed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk and prepared by the Ministry of State Assets. The document provides guidelines for state-owned companies to promote Polish firms in investment tenders.
– I consider this a great success and a somewhat unprecedented process initiated by MAP. Through public sector investments, Poland can strengthen its manufacturing and innovative capabilities – said Wyczesany. He stressed that the push for repolonization of the economy is an opportunity for Polish entrepreneurs, especially in the long term, but further steps are still needed.
Price still dominates public procurement
– Basically, nothing has changed in the Public Procurement Law and price is still the only recommended award criterion – stated Wyczesany. According to him, it is much easier to increase local content when purchasing materials such as concrete or steel than in the technology vector.
– When there are no clear rules and full transparency of the process, it is easy to report 100 percent local content simply by buying concrete and steel or using a Polish contractor – argued the CEO of Apator. He pointed out that this will be especially visible in large energy infrastructure projects, such as the construction of a nuclear power plant, where small and medium-sized enterprises have little chance of entering the supply chain.
Risk of Asian intermediaries and technological dependence
– We are very strong in the construction and contracting sector, but in technology and nuclear energy competences I think we lack those capabilities. SMEs certainly have no chance to enter that supply chain – said Wyczesany. He added that Polish technology firms should be involved to ensure long-term service and control over the technology. Currently, the market trend is to buy technology from abroad, which leads to technological dependence.
Wyczesany also pointed out that the MAP guidelines on the presence of a company’s main activity in Poland need clarification. – Imagine we have an intermediary of Asian companies registered in Poland. It pays taxes in Poland. It meets all MAP criteria, but delivers equipment manufactured in China or Taiwan – he said. He emphasized that Polish companies need a policy of leveling the playing field against competitors from outside the EU.
– On the other side we have partners who benefit from huge state subsidies. They prefer in some cases production in Asia and sales in Poland, rather than production in Poland and sales in Poland or the wider European Union – concluded the CEO of Apator.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. WNP.PL
