The 12th edition of the “Polish Infrastructure & Construction” conference took place on June 22nd at the Sheraton Grand Warsaw Hotel. During four discussion panels and five speeches, invited experts discussed the most important issues for the sector. The culmination of the event was the evening gala where the “Infrastructure & Construction Diamonds” were awarded to the most outstanding entities in the sector.
The event was inaugurated by a speech given by Jan Styliński, President of the Management Board, Polish Association of Construction Industry Employers, who discussed issues related to construction on a global scale. In his speech, the President pointed out that despite the dynamics of change in the Polish sector, there is still much to be achieved, and the industry faces many challenges. The approach to construction needs to be result-oriented, and the product itself needs to be taken care of secondarily. The speaker called for goal-oriented, innovative initiatives.
The speech was followed by the first panel discussion titled “Public Procurement Law” which was moderated by Agnieszka Chwiałkowska, co-managing partner of the public procurement practice at WKB Wierciński, Kwieciński, Baehr. The discussion was joined by Cezary Łysenko, Director of Infrastructure Construction, Budimex SA, Hubert Nowak, President, Public Procurement Office, Jan Styliński, President, Polish Association of Construction Employers, Bartosz Tokarski, Technical Practice Leader, EIB SA, Wojciech Trojanowski, Member of the Management Board, STRABAG, and Tomasz Żuchowski, Acting General Director of National Roads and Motorways. The experts discussed the amendment to the Public Procurement Law, commenting at the same time on the condition of the Polish construction industry. They pointed out the need to systematize the procurement process and put more emphasis on negotiation procedures. The speakers agreed that the key to the whole process was cooperation and working out an understanding between the interests of the ordering parties and the contractors.
After a short networking break, Ireneusz Borowski, Country Manager, Dassault Systèmes presented his presentation “Sustainable infrastructure – the world can be better”. In his speech he presented 3DExperience platform that allows for impact analysis – thanks to it we are able to see what we can achieve with the implemented project and what impact it will have on the environment. The technology allows us to study projects and look for the best solution.
Next, the time came for a case study titled “Legal actions for modification of the PPP contract”. Afterwards it was time for a case study “Investigating amendments to the PPP agreement before the court”, which was prepared by Prof. Marcin Lemkowski, Partner, Wardyński & Partners. The speaker, in line with the previous speakers, recognized that it is crucial to start negotiations, while calling for efficiency in the talks.
After a short break the second panel “Public-Private Partnership” started. The moderator of the discussion was Maciej Ziomek, Associate Partner in the Transaction Advisory Department, EY, and the panelists were: Grzegorz Kaczorowski, Director of the Office of Economic Development, Warsaw Metropolitan Council, Maciej Kopański, Investment Director, BaltCap, Tomasz Korczyński, Attorney at Law and Managing Counsel, Head of PPP/Infrastructure Practice, Dentons, Anna Łopaciuk, Fuel and Infrastructure Manager, City of Warsaw, Warsaw. The first subject discussed by the experts was PPP/Infrastructure, Tomasz Korczyczyk, Attorney at Law and Managing Counsel, Head of the PPP/Infrastructure Practice, Dentons, Anna Łopaciuk, Fuel and Infrastructure Manager in the Analysis and Sector Support Department, Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, Adam Polinski, Member of the Board, Infrastructure Director, Unibep SA, and Łukasz Wypych, Investment Manager, GULERMAK Agir Sanayi Insaat ve Taahhut A.S. branch in Poland. The first topic taken up by the experts was the role and effectiveness of the private sector in the process of preparing the project. It was pointed out that balancing mechanisms should be introduced and efficiency was considered as the main indicator of contracting motivation. The experts also noted that the upcoming support measures will make all of Europe a construction site. Looking at contracting in the spirit of partnership remains a safeguard against confusion in the execution market. Among the final considerations of the speakers were the possibilities and solutions that could support the Polish PPP market.
After the break, the presentation entitled. “M3 – Stage I – Praga” was presented by Dr. Jerzy Lejk – President of the Board, General Director, Warsaw Metro. The speaker presented a plan for the expansion of the subway in Warsaw, taking into account factors such as population density and issued building permits. The coordinator presented the schedule of planned stages of the metro extension for 2021-2030 and listed the challenges in relation to legal requirements.
The speech preceded the third panel discussion ” The Railway Investments”, which was hosted by Jakub Majewski – Chairman of the Board, ProKolej Foundation. The following guests took part in the debate: Krzysztof Celiński – Chairman of the Board, Siemens Mobility, Leszek Hołda – Member of the Board, PKP Energetyka, Adam Laskowski – Member of the Board, PKP Intercity S.A., Jerzy Lejk – Chairman of the Board, General Director, Metro Warszawskie, Artur Martyniuk – Chairman of the Board, Polregio, Cezary Saganowski – Chairman of the Board, Egis Poland. Rafał Zgorzelski – Member of the Board, Polskie Koleje Państwowe SA. The leading topic of the discussion was a vision of sustainable Europe in the context of transport. The experts acknowledged that the renaissance of railroad transport has come, and with it dynamic changes. It was noted that the railroad has changed significantly and today, using its services, we can meet the needs in appropriate conditions, which results in greater interest among travelers. The panelists also discussed the 4th railroad pact, agreeing that competition always means more motivation. It was pointed out that in order to increase interest in public transport, it should be approached holistically. The speakers ended the discussion with the announcement of a broadly understood digitalization of the railroad infrastructure.
After the lunch break, case study “Digital management of buildings and energy” was presented by Radosław Łoś, Project Coordinator, APA Group. During the speech, the Nazca platform was presented, which enables data analysis and facility management. With the help of the system we are able to recognize threats and have digital control over buildings – the system allows to integrate the entire infrastructure in the city.
The fourth panel discussion was moderated by Prof. Bolesław Rok from the Department of Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics, Kozminski University. The experts of the last panel were: Dr. Andrzej Maciej Czapczuk, Vice President and General Director of F.B.I. TASBUD Capital Group and President of the Board of Directors of the Swedish law company TASBUD SVERIGE AB, Nicolas Dépret, President of the Board, Eurovia Polska, Łukasz Marcinkiewicz, General Director of LHE and Solutions for Infrastructure, Michał Sapota, President, HRE Investments, Jacek Siwiński, President of the Board, Velux Polska and Juliusz Tetzlaff, Director of the Department of Housing, Ministry of Development, Labour and Technology. The speakers considered the sector’s adaptation to climate challenges and tried to answer the question of how to target efforts to make energy efficient housing more widely available. Industry representatives also identified individual companies’ approaches to the climate crisis and discussed proposed strategies and solutions that are being used to address public expectations. The panel concluded by saying that we need a change in mentality and we need to appreciate technological solutions, gradually familiarizing them with users.
The discussion panels and speeches were followed by the evening gala of ” Infrastructure and Construction Diamonds”: statuettes awarded to companies and their representatives who stand out in the industry for their activities and achievements.
The competition part of the event was inaugurated by Jarosław Gowin, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Development, Labour and Technology. Before the prizes were handed out to the winners, other speakers included Anna Kornecka – Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Development, Labour and Technology, Karolina Zdrodowska – acting Coordinator for Entrepreneurship and Social Dialogue, representing the City of Warsaw, and Father Andrzej Augustyński – Founder and Chairman of the Board, SIEMACHA Association. The winners of the competition included:
Realization of the Year:
(a)Volume Construction: BUDIMEX
b) Road Infrastructure: GULERMAK Agir Sanayi Insaat Ve Taahhut A.S. Polish Branch and Przedsbiorstwo Budowy Dróg i Mostów
c) Railway Infrastructure: TRAKCJA
Construction Company of the Year: UNIBEP
Technology Leader: STRABAG with TPA
Green Construction Leader: UNIHOUSE
Designer of the Year: EGIS Poland
Advisor of the Year: JDP DRAPAŁA & PARTNERS
Financing Entity of the Year:
BANK PEKAO S.A
KUKE
Personality of the Year:
Dariusz Blocher, President of the Board of Budimex SA (2009-2021), Member of The Supervisory Board, Budimex SA, Ferrovial Construction Director for Europe
