The World Bank’s Finance, Competitiveness and Innovation Global Practice, and the World Bank Poland Country Office are organizing a conference to summarize the diagnostic phase of the Digitrans project — a joint project of the World Bank and the European Commission (DG REGIO) aimed at enhancing digitalization of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Poland, Slovakia, and Bulgaria. The conference is organized under the honorary patronage of the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology.
- OVERVIEW
- AGENDA
- RELATED
The Digitrans project aims to design, pilot, and evaluate an effective instrument to strengthen firm productivity through the adoption of digital technologies and complementary managerial and organizational practices. During the event in Warsaw, we will examine the lessons learnt from the project’s diagnostic phase, as well as discuss the digitalization of MSMEs and the development of the private sector in Poland and the EU. Participants will include the leadership and director-level staff of Ministries and public institutions related to private sector development.
WHEN: Wed, May 22, 9:30-15:30
WHERE: The Westin Warsaw, al. Jana Pawla II 21
| 9:30-10:00 | Registration |
| 10:00-10:30 |
Opening remarksIgnacy Niemczycki – Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Technology Ary Naim – Regional Manager, Bulgaria Croatia Poland Romania, IFC - International Finance Corporation |
| 10:30-11:00 |
The Missing Element of Firm DigitalizationDamian Iwanowski – Digital and Green Transformation Specialist, World Bank Presentation of the lessons learned from the diagnostic phase of the Digitrans project. |
| 11:00-11:15 | Coffee Break |
| 11:15-12:15 |
How to Close the Digital Gap Between MSMEs and Large Firms?Moderator: Łukasz Marć – Senior Economist, World Bank Panelists: • Adrian Karkoszka – Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers • Marianna Sidoroff – Director, Digital Economy Department, Ministry of Economic Development and Technology • Michal Gołębiewski – Director, SMC Lead, Microsoft • Konrad Ślusarczyk – Director, Government Engagement, Central Eastern Europe Visa Panel discussion on policies and plans related to advancing digitalization of small firms. |
| 12:15-13:15 | Lunch |
| 13:15-14:15 |
Role of the Development Institutions in Supporting Growth of Polish FirmsModerator: Piotr Matczuk – Country Officer, International Financial Corporation Panelists: • Eliza Kruczkowska – Director, Innovation Department, Polish Development Fund • Paulina Zadura – Director, Analysis and Strategy Department, Polish Agency for Enterprise Development • Ignacy Morawski – Chief Economist, Puls Biznesu • Marcin Opoka – Acting Head of the Private Market Development, Warsaw Stock Exchange Panel discussion on the strategies for leveraging financial and advisory services to enhance the competitiveness and global reach of Polish enterprises. |
| 14:15-14:30 | Coffee Break |
| 14:30-15:15 | Keynote SpeechStephen J. Anderson – Professor Leonard L. Berry Chair in Services Marketing, Mays Business School of Texas A&M University Keynote speech exploring the role of complementary capabilities in leveraging opportunities of digital tools in business. |
| 15:15-15:30 | Closing remarks |
Date: May 22, 2024
Time: 03:00 AM - 08:00 AM ET
Location: Warsaw