Rafał Brzoska, head of deregulation initiatives and the CEO of the logistics company, has recently taken up the challenge to streamline the complex regulatory environment faced by Polish businesses. Tapping on more than 8,500 submitted ideas for deregulation, he claims over 70% of these came from regular citizens rather than entrepreneurs, indicating significant public interest.
Last week, Brzoska announced the release of over 20 proposed legal amendments intended to simplify business operations. "W zeszłym tygodniu opublikowaliśmy ponad 20 projektów, jutro opublikujemy kolejne 20 projektów. Na dzisiaj mamy ponad 8,5 tysiąca zgłoszeń na samej stronie internetowej, z czego 70 procent pochodzi nie od przedsiębiorców, a od obywateli," Brzoska stated during his appearance on TVN24. These proposals aim to tackle many existing bureaucratic hurdles and make Poland’s market more conducive to business.
Brzoska emphasizes the importance of real solutions, stating, "Nie da się deregulować na poziomie rozporządzeń" (it’s impossible to deregulate at the level of regulations). He believes most issues cannot be resolved through regulatory decrees and pointed out his team’s finding from analyzing one thousand suggestions, of which only 3% could be addressed directly via ministerial instructions. The rest, he noted, would require legislative action at the EU level, making considerable bureaucratic reform necessary.
The proposals include introducing the presumption of innocence for taxpayers, reducing the frequency of business inspections by 50%, and ensuring equal employment rights for foreigners without discrimination against locals. Advocates for these reforms see them as necessary for the Polish economy to keep pace with competitive European markets.
While Brzoska has garnered the support of many, skepticism lingers among experts who have vocalized concerns about the feasibility and the expansive reach of the reforms. Lawyer Marek Jarosiewicz pointed out, "Dla przedsiębiorców dynamiczne zmiany są rzeczą naturalną, dla machiny rządowej mogą okazać się szokiem" (For entrepreneurs, dynamic changes are natural; for the government machinery, they could be shocking). He warned of the chaos this rapid approach might create within governmental procedures.
Several of Brzoska’s proposals have also been called abstract or overly ambitious. Jarosiewicz identified ideas such as reducing the frequency of inspections and altering aggressive debt collection practices as problematic. He stresses the necessity for systemic changes over quick, surface-level fixes. Despite potential success, he remains cautious about how effectively these plans can alter entrenched bureaucratic processes, stating, "Co najmniej kilka spośród przedstawionych propozycji określiłbym jako dość abstrakcyjne" (I would define at least several of the proposed solutions as rather abstract).
With more proposals on the horizon and private-sector involvement at the forefront, the coming weeks should illuminate the path forward for these ambitious reforms. Brzoska's initiative to handle deregulation has struck a chord with many, urging the government to shift from its traditionally slow-moving processes.
Forecasts suggest the potential for significant shifts to the Polish business climate, but success will depend largely on bridging the gap between public expectations and the complex realities of implementation. Brzoska himself stressed the urgency of these changes, stating, "Musimy nadać ton zmianom w Brukseli" (We must set the tone for change in Brussels). His endeavors, coupled with the backing of experts and public sentiments, could reshape Polish entrepreneurship.
Time will tell if Brzoska can translate these proposals from paper to practice, effectively tackling the hurdles faced by over three million Polish entrepreneurs. The collective anticipation gives hope, yet the intricacies of the bureaucratic maze remain formidable obstacles. The next chapter for Polish deregulation is bound to be significant.