The allocation of funds from the National Recovery Plan (KPO) may lead to yet another high-profile scandal. After the HoReCa industry, experts are now pointing to the defense sector.
The construction of shelters, development of the defense industry, cybersecurity – among other purposes, these are the goals for which funds from the KPO are to be allocated, channeled through the Security and Defense Fund. The sum in question amounts to 25 billion PLN. However, experts cited by Plus Biznesu indicate that money from the EU loan could once again spark a scandal.
Doubts about the program include, among others, the lack of transparent rules for allocating funds. As Witold Michałek from Business Centre Club points out, members of the investment committee of the special-purpose company BGK are to be individuals linked to representatives of the ruling coalition. This raises the risk of political influence.
Another issue is the favoritism shown towards large enterprises, while those from the SME (MŚP) sector are to be relegated to the role of subcontractors. This concern is raised by Agnieszka Lewandowska from the Confederation Lewiatan, who, in a conversation with PB, stated that “without guaranteed demand, defense products may remain unsellable, which poses a huge risk for the program.”
The chief economist of Employers of Poland (Pracodawcy RP), Kamil Sobolewski, meanwhile warns that companies should have access to state guarantees and sureties from the State Treasury. This would make it easier for enterprises to secure additional financing.
The rules for loan forgiveness and the procedures for BGK‘s withdrawal from investments in the private sector also remain imprecise. The Confederation Lewiatan warns that the lack of clear regulations may lead to discretionary decisions by officials and abuses, similar to those seen in the support program for the HoReCa industry.
Let us recall that funds from the KPO, which were supposed to help rebuild the economy in the aforementioned industry after the COVID-19 pandemic, were instead allocated to absurd projects such as tanning beds in pizzerias, yachts, accommodations in “kebab shops”, or luxury cars. The businesses that received support under the program often belonged to individuals connected to politicians of the ruling coalition.