Bielsko-Biała is a city located in southern Poland, and is a thriving economic centre of the Silesian Voivodeship. The border with the Czech Republic and Slovakia is just a short distance from the city. The city's proximity to the border and to the Upper Silesian Agglomeration and Krakow makes it an important centre for cross-border development. Years ago, Bielsko-Biała was called the "city of 100 industries" and "Silesian Manchester". The dynamic development of the city is facilitated by its location at the crossroads of international transport routes. Another advantage of the city's location is its proximity to three international airports: Kraków Balice, Katowice Pyrzowice and Ostrawa Mošnov.
In Bielsko-Biała the leading role is played by the automotive, IT and service sectors. Recently the commercial real estate market has also been developing dynamically in the city, offering office space of different classes, including class A, which is of particular importance for new investors representing the modern business services sector. The city's investment potential is also increased by its inhabitants, famous for their entrepreneurial spirit and high competences. Young families are increasingly willing to move to Bielsko-Biała from big-city centres appreciate the compactness of the city and its location surrounded by mountain ranges - says Jarosław Klimaszewski, Mayor of Bielsko-Biała.
Bielsko-Biała in a nutshell
Location and characteristics of the city:
- southern Poland (southern part of the Silesian Voivodeship);
- proximity to the border with the Czech Republic and Slovakia, as well as the Upper Silesian Agglomeration and Cracow;
- location at the crossroads of international transport channels (E75 and E462);
- an important road junction in the south of the Silesian Voivodeship (DK No. 1, expressway S1, national road S52);
- proximity to 3 large airports (Krakow-Balice International Airport , Katowice International Airport in Pyrzowice and Ostrawa Mošnov International Airport);
- area of the city is about 125 km2;
- city population: approx. 170,000 inhabitants (the area of the Beskid Agglomeration is inhabited by approx. 665 000 people).
Important development factors:
- high level of education at both secondary and vocational school levels;
- the largest university in Podbeskidzie educating students mainly in technical fields such as: Automation and Robotics, Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering.
Current economic profile:
- a thriving IT, services and automotive sector;
- presence of significant foreign investors (such concerns as: Stellantis, Eaton Automotive Systems, Hutchinson and TI Fluid Systems have opened their plants here);
- development of the R&D sector (investors such as ABB Inudstrial Solutions Bielsko-Biała or ZF Steering Systems Poland established here their scientific and research centres and engineering centers);
- development of the commercial real estate market, offering A-class office space (attracted by technology companies such as ICE Mortgage Technology, Precisely or Asseco).
Future plans:
- supporting dynamic development of the IT and business services sector based on modern office space and the idea of life balance;
- attracting young, highly educated inhabitants to the city;
- undertaking activities for the ecological and sustainable development of the city;
- creating conditions for a comfortable and interesting life for the city's inhabitants;
- development of the offer of "free time" services.
