The fresh instrument, with a budget of about PLN 26 billion for investments in dual-use infrastructure, investigation and improvement and industrial modernisation, can play an crucial function in building the technological sovereignty of Poland. Leviathan took part in the consultation of the draft law on the implementation of the FBI.
A chance to make national defence industry
"The safety and Defence Fund is the right consequence to current geopolitical challenges. It can be an impetus for innovation and improvement of defence manufacture in Poland, as long as its rules are transparent and access to resources is wide. The Fund's investment strategy should clearly specify the priorities and criteria for selecting projects in order to avoid discretion in the selection process. That is why, at the phase of the draft law, we have raised the request to include social partners and business in consulting this strategy. We declare our participation in the process and convey the demands of the entrepreneurs curious in the Bureau – says Agnieszka Lewandowska, expert of the Confederation of Leviathan.
Key business demands
With respect to the draft Law on the FBI, the Confederate Confederation of Leviathan draws attention to respective key issues. It calls for the inclusion of digital communications, private campus 5G networks and safety of telecommunications infrastructure among investments from the Funds. It is besides crucial to take into account drug safety.
It will besides be crucial to clarify the rules on the redemption of shares by entrepreneurs and to introduce transparent conditions for the redemption of loans. Leviathan besides stresses the request to introduce a sales warrant mechanics that will defend producers from the hazard of deficiency of customers on defence products produced, e.g. by linking backing with framework agreements.
Access for the SME sector
"The funds from the Fund should be available not only to large companies but besides to tiny and medium-sized companies that increase the resilience of supply chains. It is crucial for the Fund to support bottom-up initiatives, straight submitted by entrepreneurs, which will enable innovative ideas from the marketplace to be used. We besides believe that the composition of the Investment Committee should be extended to include independent external experts and representatives of the private sector, which will increase the transparency of the decisions taken and let for a broader position on task evaluation," added Agnieszka Lewandowska.
Simple and fast procedures
The Leviathan Confederation calls for the selection and evaluation procedures for projects to be simple, predictable and friendly to applicants. Only then will the Fund become a real tool for economical development, not another bureaucratic mechanism. “We support the creation of the Fund, but we want its functioning to respond to the needs of entrepreneurs and to truly strengthen the state’s defence potential”, emphasises Agnieszka Lewandowska.
The position of the Confederate Leviathan
Confederation of Leviathan
