7,000 participants, 8 cooperation agreements, and the 35th anniversary
The largest SME sector event in Europe. The European Congress of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (ECSME), organized for fifteen years by the Regional Chamber of Commerce in Katowice, is one of Europe’s key business events devoted to the SME sector. The Congress serves as a platform for exchanging experiences and fostering cooperation between business, public administration, and academia.
This year’s jubilee edition, held under the slogan HERE & NOW, gathered nearly 7,000 participants — entrepreneurs, experts, and representatives of local governments and institutions from 22 countries. Over two days, the event hosted more than 100 panels, debates, and networking meetings, which resulted in the signing of eight cooperation agreements supporting economic and social collaboration.
Tomasz Zjawiony’s appeal: “Entrepreneurs are the foundation of the state”
During the opening ceremony, Tomasz Zjawiony, President of the Regional Chamber of Commerce in Katowice and Vice-President of European Entrepreneurs CEA-PME, called for systemic changes in how SMEs are treated:
“Over 74 percent of Poland’s GDP is created by Polish entrepreneurs and Polish companies. It is thanks to their taxes that the state can carry out its social programs. Yet, they are often treated as a necessary evil. Without entrepreneurs, there is no economy, no society, no army. The time to change our policies is now – here and now – to allow European firms to compete globally.”
President Zjawiony emphasized that rising regulatory costs — including those linked to the Green Deal — and increasing competition from Asia are undermining Polish companies’ capacity to invest and sustain their technological advantages.
Eight key agreements signed in Katowice
During the Congress, eight strategic cooperation agreements were concluded to strengthen entrepreneurship, international collaboration, and business legal stability:
- Letter of intent on economic cooperation between the Silesian Voivodeship, City of Katowice, GZM Metropolis, Katowice Special Economic Zone (KSSE), and the Regional Chamber of Commerce in Katowice, to jointly promote investment and attract investors.
- Agreement with Employers of Poland, integrating large companies and SMEs, with a focus on innovation and economic mediation.
- Agreement with the Polish-Spanish Chamber of Commerce — joint business missions and technology promotion.
- Agreement with the Polish-Canadian Business Association — strengthening trade and investment relations between Poland and Canada.
- Letter of intent with the Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) — supporting SME expansion in Central Europe.
- Agreement with the Polish-Saudi Business Council — promoting investments and exports under the International Talks forum.
- Cooperation agreement on business mediation and arbitration, signed between the Silesian Center for Arbitration and Mediation, the Arbitration Center at the RIG in Katowice, and legal partners, promoting faster, cheaper, and more effective methods of resolving disputes.
- Letter of intent between District Employment Offices and the Silesian Development Fund — a partnership to support local employment and professional activation.
Partners of the Congress: A shared vision for regional development
Once again, the Congress became a meeting place for local government and institutional leaders who emphasized the importance of cooperation between the public and private sectors.
Marcin Krupa, Mayor of Katowice, said:
“Entrepreneurs are the driving force behind the growth of our cities and regions. Katowice has transformed from an industrial hub into a city of modern technologies — thanks to cooperation, not competition, between local government and business.”
Maciej Biskupski, Deputy Chair of the GZM Board, noted:
“The Metropolis must be a place where people can live, work, and invest comfortably. Only collaboration between municipalities and entrepreneurs ensures sustainable development.”
Prof. Rafał Żelazny, President of KSSE, added:
“Micro and small enterprises now account for over 70 percent of new investments in the KSSE. We prove that local and global growth can go hand in hand.”
Global conversations on trust and the future of the economy
As part of the International Talks track, several key debates were held, including:
- “How to Build Global Services Around Relations”, where Urszula Wöltjen from Invest Region Leipzig emphasized:
“Access to networks and institutional support is invaluable for investors. That is why the role of chambers of commerce, like RIG Katowice, is more important than ever.”
- “Doing Business with Ukraine”, featuring Consul General of Ukraine Viacheslav Voynarovskyi, who stated:
“The economy is one of the pillars of our resilience during the war. Ukraine is already preparing for reconstruction, counting on partnerships with Polish companies.”
- A presentation by the Ministry of Development and Technology, where Counselor Grzegorz Sinacki showcased tools supporting Polish firms abroad: Access2Markets, trade.gov.pl, and ePing.
Green investments and new labor market challenges
During the panels on energy transformation, Jarosław Makowski, Deputy Mayor of Katowice, reminded that 43 percent of the city area is covered by forests:
“Katowice is the green lung of the Metropolis. We’ve limited logging and are investing in sustainable growth and environmental education.”
Ewa Lipka, Vice-President of KSSE, added:
“Seventy percent of our investment decisions relate to SMEs. We support them through training, consulting, and tax relief.”
Blanka Jędrzejewska from GZM stressed the importance of data:
“This year, we measured air quality in 700 points across the Metropolis. This helps us target our environmental efforts more precisely.”
35th Anniversary Gala of the Regional Chamber of Commerce in Katowice and ECSME Economic Awards
The Gala of the RIG Community, held at the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra (NOSPR) and attended by nearly 1,500 guests, was the highlight of the Chamber’s 35th anniversary celebrations.
Winners of the ECSME Economic Awards 2025 included:
- Forbes Polska – Editor-in-Chief Katarzyna Dębek:
“Usually, we’re the ones giving awards to entrepreneurs. Today, we accept this one with gratitude and respect for Polish businesses that, in three decades, have built one of the world’s 20 largest economies.”
- Grupa Recykl S.A. – CEO Maciej Jasiewicz:
“Polish companies are boldly entering foreign markets. Success abroad proves that we can compete with quality and responsibility.”
- Strabag sp. z o.o. – Management Board Member Dariusz Kolasa:
“Our history in Silesia is one of cooperation with hundreds of local companies. Thanks to them, we can deliver major infrastructure and technology projects.”
- CCC S.A. – CEO Dariusz Miłek:
“I started on a market stall in February 1990. My story shows just how much Poland and its entrepreneurs have changed.”
- COBI Group – CEO Robert Podleś:
“Everything — from design to production — is made in Poland. But Europe must protect its own industry if we want such companies to survive.”
- NVIDIA Corporation – Regional Director Roman Sioda:
“Poland is our technology hub for 24 countries. Together with Kulczyk Investments, we’re building the first AI factory in Central and Eastern Europe.”
- Szeja Rally Team – Driver Jarosław Szeja:
“Sport connects entrepreneurs just like teamwork does in business. Our team proves that passion and business can go hand in hand.”
This year’s Congress demonstrated that cooperation, knowledge exchange, and openness to innovation remain the key to SME success.
Visit ECSME’s social media channels for speaker highlights, panel coverage, and the latest updates relevant to entrepreneurs.
More details: www.ekmsp.eu
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