This subject was covered during the panel discussion titled „Challenges to Poland with energy, transport infrastructure and telecommunications”, arranged by the French Chamber of Industry and Commerce. – In numerous cases infrastructure projects must be co-financed by private investors. Polish banks have too little capital to be able to face many of the projects – said Stephane Hild, director general of Societe Generale Polska.
– I cannot imagine an investor intending to repair or construct railway tracks in Poland. It is possible only in the case of the planned high-speed rail – claimed Zbigniew Szafrański, president of PKP PLK.
The panel participants agreed that the government authorities” attitude towards financing of projects by private capital should be changed. – Increasingly, during tender proceedings the major criterion is price. It is risky; one can give a number of examples of such selection cases in which not only did the final costs grow but also the deadlines were exceeded – said Frederic Nicolon, director general of Egis Polska.
Companies agree that regarding investment in infrastructure there is a lot to make up. – Take the nuclear power industry. Decisions on the power plant construction have been made, however the deadlines of the project completion are already being postponed – said Philippe Castanet, president of EDF Polska.
– With no investment in telecommunications, nobody can build a modern state or society – asserted Roland Dubois, a member of the management board of TP.
