First, do not disturb. A strong appeal from business regarding industrial competitiveness.

• The two-day New Industry Forum has begun - an event with a select cast and a program covering key issues for the future of production in Poland and Europe.
• During the inaugural session, there was no shortage of precise voices from the business community, pointing out the reasons for the weakening competitiveness of Polish and European industry.
• Energy costs and overregulation are the main pain points. "Less regulation, more innovation," say industry representatives.

This year's New Industry Forum is held under the slogan "The Industry of Tomorrow." Grzegorz Wrona, Deputy Minister of State Assets, addressed the question of how to build a strategy for a new Polish economic model in the face of its need for redefinition at the conference's inauguration.

Local content in key investments is a priority for MAP

"MAP is currently taking vigorous action to ensure local content participates in key investments. This is the foundation of our approach. The strategies we review and implement must be aligned with Poland's best interests. Technology development and market protection against unfair competition are priorities," said Deputy Minister Grzegorz Wrona.

Polish business points out obstacles: regulations and energy prices

Roman Przybylski, president of the management board of Grupa Kęty, pointed to the problems experienced by the aluminum industry.

"Aluminum is recycled, retaining its properties, so in our case, the problem isn't the raw material, but high energy prices. These are currently undermining the competitiveness of not only Polish but also the entire European industry. Traditional industry was once the strength of Western economies, but today it's struggling. Energy prices and overregulation are counterproductive for industry today," said Roman Przybylski.

He added that Polish companies are currently investing in adapting to EU regulations, rather than in innovation and improving production.

"Less regulation, more innovation. Ideology must be put aside; it's counterproductive," says the president of the Kęty group.

Robert Stobiński, president of the management board of the Amica group, made a rather brutal statement.

- If we looked at production issues purely economically, we would have to close all factories in Poland tomorrow - said the CEO of Amica.

"Production in Poland is becoming unprofitable today, not only because of labor and energy costs. In our case, as much as 80% of costs are materials. Due to regulations that hinder our operations, we are unable to compete with entities outside the EU, where these regulations do not exist ," Stobiński diagnosed.

Andrzej Skolmowski, President of the Management Board of Grupa Azoty, also drew attention to the important business conditions for the industry in Europe.

"We currently have regulations that are inappropriate for our operations. We are raising this issue in many forums – these regulations must coexist. The competitiveness of the chemical industry requires far-sighted thinking. Without a proper long-term plan, there will soon be no chemical industry in Europe," concluded Andrzej Skolmowski.