Visit of Minister Elżbieta Bieńkowska to Dobroteka

On Friday, April 19, 2013, a meeting of great importance for our region took place in Dobroteka. Piotr Kler – Chairman of the Supervisory Board of KLER S.A. and Józef Sebesta – Marshal of the Opolskie Voivodeship signed a Partnership for the implementation of the Special Demographic Zone Program.

The meeting was attended by Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Minister of Regional Development, Ryszard Wilczyński, Voivode of Opolskie, Senator Aleksander Świeykowski, representatives of the Marshal's Office of Opolskie Voivodeship, Local Government Units, universities, schools, as well as local entrepreneurs.

During the meeting, a presentation was held on the development directions of the Opolskie Voivodeship until 2020, including the concept of the Special Demographic Zone. Minister Bieńkowska spoke on the matter, stating that "Opolskie is the first voivodeship that drew attention to the problem of depopulation and proposed the concept of SSD, a long-term action program, a year ago. As I promised, we will support it with EU funds. During the last meeting with the marshal, we agreed that the region will receive an additional 60 million euros in the future EU financial perspective as part of the so-called Strategic Intervention Areas. This money will be specifically for these activities."

Marshal Józef Sebesta counts on cooperation with entrepreneurs, among others, for the implementation of the program. Letters of intent related to the creation of Civic Coalitions for the Special Demographic Zone Program were also signed by Opole entrepreneurs – Karol Cebula, Andrzej Balcerek – CEO and General Director of Górażdże Cement SA, Adam Leszkiewicz – President of Zakłady Azotowe Kędzierzyn, and Piotr Kler, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Kler S.A. The entrepreneurs declare – using their knowledge and experience – their willingness to cooperate in counteracting depopulation processes and rebuilding demographic potential, initiating actions that will, among others, lead to the creation of new jobs and improve the quality of life for the region's residents.

During the meeting, Piotr Kler emphasized that he considers the signing of the letter obvious. In his opinion, "everyone who can help in the implementation of this program should get involved in this activity."