Zagraniczne inwestycje bezpośrednie w regionie świętokrzyskim w latach 2005-2011

The article examines the activities of foreign investors in Poland’s Świętokrzyskie region. To this end, the author uses literature analysis and descriptive statistical methods. Based on a review of available literature, the author outlines basic concepts related to foreign direct investment and the main theoretical models of FDI. He also identifies the key factors behind foreign investment and discusses the positive and negative effects of FDI. The author analyzes the organizational structure and conditions underlying the operations of companies with foreign capital in the Świętokrzyskie region. The study uses data from Poland’s Central Statistical Office (GUS) for the 2005-2009 period. To ensure the comparability of data, the analyzed values are calculated in per capita terms. The analysis found that the inflow of foreign investment to the region mainly consisted of taking over and modernizing existing plants. Foreign investors chiefly invest in the largest cities in the region, such as Kielce, Starachowice and Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, and in their vicinity. A special economic zone in Starachowice plays a significant role in attracting foreign investment to the Świętokrzyskie region. Among foreign investors active in the region are many companies with global business. These include building material manufacturers, who are a significant component of the regional economy and have a positive impact on the incomes and living conditions of local residents. However, these businesses have poor ties with local companies and produce limited spillover effects, according to the author. Maintaining the current direction of foreign investment means that the Świętokrzyskie region will continue to specialize in raw material production, Pastuszka says. To avoid this scenario, the regional authorities should create conditions to attract investors to more technologically advanced sectors, the author concludes.