Kielce and Świętokrzyskie region

Kielce's favourable location in the heart of Poland makes it a perfect venue for exhibitions and conferences. Not only is this a splendid place for domestic companies, but also for companies from the neighbouring countries.

Economic situation:

Targi Kielce has proven to be a leading city-forming factor – Targi Kielce's business activity has largely contributed to the development of the City's and the Świętokrzyskie Region's trade fair-related and business-tourism infrastructure. In addition to the new hotel facilities (guests calling in Kielce have at their disposal almost 7,442 beds in 2** to 5** hotels), new restaurants, clubs, sports and entertainment centres, taxi corporations and transport services companies have also proliferated. 

The Grono Targowe Kielce [Kielce Expo Cluster] operates in conjunction with  Targi Kielce. This is the first Europe's expo cluster which associates 88 Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship based commercial entities.

Targi Kielce is owned by the city of Kielce. The local authorities have been dedicated to economic and industrial development of the region. The investment portfolio encompasses enhancement of research and development infrastructure, modernisation of municipal and regional transport systems. The region has also seen the implementation of wide-scale schemes designed to amplify the local market's potentials as an investment area and tourist destination. Development of modern economy is also enhanced and fuelled with the Świętokrzyskie Innovativeness and Technology Transfer Centre and the entrepreneurial incubator - the Technology Park. This institution associates a few dozens of companies –they are actively involved in innovative technology and solution implementation into various business and industry sectors.

The Świętokrzyskie Region's economy is mainly based on mining and construction materials production. Business sectors of metallurgy, machines, precise appliance production and food industry also play a vital role in local economy. Development of a number of Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship's industry sectors has also been fuelled by the “Starachowice” Special Economic Zone since the Zone has been a catalyst for the Province's technical potentials. The City of Kielce is also a part of the “Starachowice” Special Economic Zone (SSE). Special Economic Zones are specially designed areas in Poland which offer preferential terms for running business. According to the Minister of Economy’s SSE development plan has been designed to favour and enhance specific business sectors, i.e. precise mechanics, automotive industry, metallurgy, electronics, wood processing industry, construction materials processing, chemical industry and ceramics, food processing. The greatest number of business entities are located in the city of Kielce (27.0%) and respectively, in the districts of Kielce (11.8%), Ostrowiec (10.4%), Skarżysko (7.3%), Starachowice (6.5%), Końskie and Sandomierz (5.9%), Jędrzejów (5.6%), Busko (5.2%) and Staszów (4.7%). The smalelst number in the districts of Opatów (3.1%), Włoszczowa (2.9%), Pińczów (2.2%) and Kazimierz (1.4%). The Świętokrzyskie province boasts a high concentration of mineral-mining and rock materials processing facilities. This is where limestone is excavated and used in construction industry and cement production.

One of the region's biggest companies are:
- Kolporter Kielce Group SA 
- Celsa Huta Ostrowiec LLC 
- Cersanit SA Kielce Capital Group 
- Pilkington SA  Sandomierz 
- Polish Building Materials Depots' Group Busko-Zdroj 
- Połaniec Power Plant - Electrabel Poland Group 
- Lafarge Cement SA Cement Małogoszcz 
- NSK Bearings Poland SA Kielce

In the city of Kielce there is as many an five nature reserves, including four geological reserves. The city of Kielce is located on the Silnica river in the heart of Europe's oldest mountains - the Świętokrzyskie [Holy Cross] Mountains . Not only does the metropolitan area rapidly develop in terms of its economy and business, but also education. A number of higher education institutions, including Jan Kochanowski University and Kielce University of Technology are a clear proof of that.      

Kielce is also an important centre of cultural life. Every year Kielce hosts a whole array of events which attract thousands from all corners of the country. The city's three theatres are widely known and highly regarded in Poland  and abroad. The city's cultural potential is enhanced with the activity of  The Stefan Żeromski Theatre. The Theatre's spectacles have earned numerous awards of prestigious festivals. The Kielce Dance Theatre and Puppet and Actor Theatre "Kubuś" also enjoy a broad-scale recognition.     

The important cultural facilities of the Świętokrzyskie Region include Oskar Kolberg Philharmonic, Kielce Culture Centre and numerous museums and art galleries. Kielce's architecture is dominated with sacral and historical monuments such as the Krakow Bishops' Palace, the Kielce's oldest Church of Saint Wojciech [Adalbert] or the Cathedral Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary Assumption.                          

Sienkiewicza Street is one of Kielce inhabitants' favourite places, this is also the city's main promenade. Sienkiewicza is where the historic character blends with the present-day commercial functions, this is also the city's cultural life's focal point.  Sienkiewicza promenade has been pronounced Poland's most popular street – the winner of “Your Travels” Tourist Magazine's plebiscite.

Kielce also dynamically develops as sports centre. The number of sports facilities increases every year. The city is the home for one of the most cutting-edge football stadiums, the 9 sports halls including the Legions Hall which can seat 4,200 spectators  as well as the Athletics Stadium. The city also boasts most successful sports clubs -  VIVE Tauron Kielce - the Polish champions handball team, the Polish Cup winner and the participant of the Champions League.

The city's great advantage are rich and diversified green areas, abundance of parks, squares and scenic hiking trails and bicycle paths. Green areas are the city's flagship.

Kielce abound with numerous tourist attractions, recreation and relaxation facilities and opportunities. In Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship there are as many as the 7 professional ski resorts, including the two ski-slopes located in the city of Kielce.  The pistes are equipped with professional chair lifts, ski equipment rentals, skiing schools