Znaczenie specjalnych stref ekonomicznych i ustawy o nowych inwestycjach w zmniejszaniu nierówności regionalnych w Polsce
The importance of special economic zones and the act on new investments in reducing regional inequalities in Poland

Summary/Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to assess the role of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and the Act on Supporting New Investments (PSI) as instruments aimed at reducing regional disparities in Poland. The study presents an analysis of SEZ performance between 2004 and 2024 and evaluates the impact of the 2018 PSI reform, which extended investment support mechanisms to the entire country. Statistical data analysis and the P. Warr enclave model were applied to assess the regional efficiency of SEZs, taking into account investment value and multiplier effects on local economies. The findings confirm that SEZs played a crucial role in restructuring the Polish economy, attracting foreign capital and stimulating employment, particularly in industrialized regions. However, their effects were uneven, with eastern and north-eastern voivodeships benefiting less from the inflow of investment. The introduction of the PSI contributed to greater accessibility of support instruments, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, and promoted a more balanced spatial distribution of projects. Despite these positive outcomes, challenges remain, including continued investment concentration in developed regions and the need to align investment policy with sustainable development goals. The study concludes that future investment support policy should focus on innovation-driven and environmentally oriented projects that enhance Poland's long-term territorial cohesion.

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