Ladies and Gentlemen,
Ever since our accession to the European Union, Poland may use the financial support from the structural funds and Cohesion Fund. The EU funds have been called structural, as they are expected to help restructure and modernise the economy by improving its structure, through financing projects in key sectors of the economy. The name of the game is to efficiently acquire and effectively absorb funds intended for infrastructure development. From next year onwards are membership fee will be significant and we have to learn how to use the money from the European budget in order not to miss that chance and not to become a net payer.
We have many specialists in Poland associated with the construction and operation of underground infrastructure, by which I mean municipal, fuel, energy and telecommunication infrastructure. All is based on transferring utilities up and down pipelines. Many of theses pipelines have been built and are maintained due to modern trenchless technology. These investments may be co-financed from EU funds, as they have a significant impact on the environment. At this moment many projects based on theses funds are being implemented, and even more are being designed and negotiated. Our technological potential is not yet as significant as that of the EU, however, with opened borders and no customs barriers these differences will be reduced faster than ever. The new economic situation provides for expansion and easier technology transfer from Western companies to the Polish market, but it also provides opportunities to Polish companies to work in external markets.
As we hand to you the special issue of Inżynieria Bezwykopowa we hope to prove that the Polish market has potential and is interesting. This issue was prepared with view to the NO-DIG fair in Hamburg, organised by the International Society for Trenchless Technology. The objective and the idea of the meeting is to provide an international platform for the exchange of experience and latest developments in trenchless technology. By preparing this issue we wanted to become actively involved in this exchange and show the most interesting accomplishments, products and experience in trenchless technology in Poland.
Inside the issue you will find a feature illustrating the history of trenchless technology in Poland, as well as short sketches on horizontal directional drilling, microtunnelling and network rehabilitation. We will also tell you about the existing Polish sectoral associations, research centres and the conferences to take place next year in Poland. Furthermore, we have included several features describing the execution of key projects and characteristics of some services and products offered by Polish companies. I hope you will find it interesting reading.