Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the final gala of the Symbol 2020 Program was not held this year. The ceremony took place online. In this year’s edition, the jury distinguished over 70 entities from various industries and the world of science. All of them are characterised by effective management, innovativeness, development and the synergy between science and business. The Symbol of Business Support 2020 title went to the Wroclaw Agglomeration Development Agency.
‘Symbol is an award that confirms the quality of functioning in its broad sense. We award it to those who represent such values as effectiveness, development, professionalism, prestige and creativity. It is an award for those who change the world,’ says Jakub Lisiecki, the chief editor of Monitor Rynkowy and Monitor Biznesu.
Magdalena Okulowska, President of the Wroclaw Agglomeration Development Agency, stresses that it is a special distinction for the company, because the year 2020 was difficult due to the coronavirus.
‘This is an award for the whole Wroclaw, both for its authorities and the business ecosystem. Implemented consistently for many years, the entrepreneurship development strategy has created a mature, responsible and co-operation-based business ecosystem. The huge commitment of Wroclaw’s local government through the introduction of local enterprise support packages largely contributed to the maintenance of the city’s resistance to crisis,’ stresses Magdalena Okulowska.
Other distinguished entities from Wroclaw include: the Faculty of Microsystem Electronics and Photonics of the Wroclaw University of Technology – Symbol of Science and Business Synergy 2020; the Centre for Experimental Diagnostics and Innovative Biomedical Technologies, the University of Environmental and Life Sciences in Wroclaw – Symbol of Innovation 2020; the Energetyk Housing Co-operative – Symbol of the Decade 2011–2020.
ARAW supports the region's development
The Wroclaw Agglomeration Development Agency was recognised as the first municipal company in Poland that has successfully striven for the acquisition of investors, helped to create jobs and supported co-operation between local governments since 2005.
‘Until now, ARAW has contributed to the implementation of over 200 investment projects. The companies we co-operated with created 100,000 jobs. The company evolved, too. At first we focused on the acquisition of foreign investors, then we supported also the foreign expansion of Polish entrepreneurs by initiating the Polski Czempion [Polish Champion] program. Today we also co-ordinate the city’s start-up policy and are engaged in academic projects, where we attract foreign students to Wroclaw. We react to new needs and development trends on a running basis,’ says Magdalena Okulowska.
The Symbol program is run by the editors of Monitor Rynkowy – an independent insert distributed along with Dziennik Gazeta Prawna and Monitor Biznesu – an independent insert distributed along with Rzeczpospolita.
