Mayor of Gdansk

Gdansk Mayor Highlights City’s Transformation

Pawel Adamowicz, Mayor of Gdansk since 1998, discusses the city’s recent developments and future plans.

European Times: How has Gdansk changed during your four terms as mayor?

Pawel Adamowicz, Mayor of Gdansk

Pawel Adamowicz: the city has undergone a major transformation from socialism to capitalism. after poland joined the EU, there was a huge infrastructure and cultural gap between polish cities and other cities in europe, and we have been closing that gap through significant investments. Gdansk has modernised its housing, sewage and water systems, roads and bridges and more, and this process continues. over the past five years alone, almost €1 billion has been spent on upgrading Gdansk, and quality of life here has greatly improved.

European Times: What are you doing to attract foreign investment?

Pawel Adamowicz: Gdansk has definitely enhanced its investment appeal and is very businessfriendly. the port of Gdansk on the Baltic sea is, of course, a major draw for investors. trading operations can also transport goods on the Vistula river, which runs north-south through Gdansk. Gdansk is once again the hub of the Baltic and the gateway
to eastern europe.

European Times: What are some of your current projects?

Pawel Adamowicz: the deep container terminal at the port of Gdansk, a project financed by australian investment funds, will not only make our port even more competitive but also serves as a prime example of a successful private investment in Gdansk. We also have huge projects underway in waste-water treatment, the road network and a new tramway system, among many others.

European Times: How is publicsector investment benefiting the local private sector?

Pawel Adamowicz: our citizens’ taxes are helping to support public projects which in turn lead to private-sector growth and more jobs. We are eager to attract more investments here which will create jobs, especially for our young people.

European Times: What are some of your projects for the future?

Pawel Adamowicz: there is a plan on the horizon to build a new power plant in Gdansk, and we are eagerly anticipating the completion of the a1 highway. We are also investing in more sports facilities and other initiatives designed to further improve quality of life.

this will not only benefit our citizens but will also make Gdansk more competitive in attracting investment, for example in ICT business-process outsourcing, one of our growing sectors. i welcome foreign investors to Gdansk, which is a fantastic place to live and do business in.