On May 27-30, a representative delegation from Elblag led by Piotr Marciniak, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in St. Petersburg, paid an official visit to Veliky Novgorod in Russia. It was the first time that Veliky Novgorod as a partner town in Russia met a delegation from Elblag of this level to establish ties and develop cooperation in multiple areas, from economy to culture.
The visit took place as part of the programme of stay of Elblag officials in the Novgorod region and Elblag investment forum in Veliky Novgorod.
The Polish delegation included representatives of Elblag executive authorities, local government, business companies and cultural institutions, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps – Consul General of the Republic of Poland in St. Petersburg Piotr Marciniak, Counsellor and Head of Trade and Investment Promotion Section at the General Consulate of the Republic of Poland in St. Petersburg Henryk Buszta, President of Elblag Jerzy Wilk, Representative of Investor Service Bureau Emil Słodownik, Viva Art association president Teresa Miłoszewska, Director of Urban Art Center Gallery El Jarosław Peter Denisiuk and other officials.
As part of the programme, the Elblag delegation visited JSC Acron, a world leader in mineral fertiliser production, the largest production facility and major local employer in Veliky Novgorod. Welcoming the delegation, Acron’s Executive Director Vladimir Gavrikov noted that the company management is interested in promoting the experience exchange and building commercial and economic relations with the Polish region, and in this context the visit is very promising.
The programme included a tour of the site to explore the production organisation, including ammonia, NPK, nitrogen fertiliser and organic chemistry facilities.
The delegation members were told how Acron implements occupational health and safety policy, talked to employees, and saw social infrastructure objects.
Members of the delegation were amazed at the scale of the enterprise, condition of the production facilities and technology, training level of specialist and high governance standards. The guests were particularly interested in social aspects, including social programmes for employees, health and safety, recreation and relaxation management.
“Today we saw that Acron not only produces fertilisers, but more importantly takes care of its people,” said president of Elblag Jerzy Wilk. “I will certainly share my impressions with Polish entrepreneurs and tell them about the organisation of work in the company. Acron is well-known in Poland, and I am sure that our relationship will only grow stronger.”
The main outcome of the visit was signing of a cooperation agreement between Veliky Novgorod and Elblag for sharing information, maintaining relations in the fields of economy, education, science, culture, sport and tourism at the level of local authorities and executive bodies, enterprises, organisations and institutions, public and artistic associations, on the basis of equality and mutual benefit in the interests of the population of Veliky Novgorod and Elblag.