Mateusz Morawiecki's remarks came as a cornerstone was laid on Thursday for a new PepsiCo factory in the village of Święte in the southwest of the country, state news agency PAP reported.
Worth PLN 1 billion (EUR 220 million, USD 260 million), the snack-making facility is scheduled for completion in 2025. It will create 450 jobs and churn out products for over 20 European markets, according to executives.
PepsiCo said the factory would be geared to sustainable development and achieve climate neutrality by 2035.
Morawiecki told reporters that "attracting such a renowned name" to Poland proved that US investors trusted the country.
He also said that Poland's governing conservatives, as part of their flagship Polish New Deal initiative, were aiming to forge "the best possible investment climate for the future, for both domestic firms and big business, including American corporations."
'Invest wisely, choose Poland'
"Invest wisely, choose Poland--the world's best place to do business, as companies from around the globe are finding out," Morawiecki said, enticing potential investors.
He observed the new PepsiCo facility was its biggest project in Poland in 30 years and the corporation's largest undertaking of its kind in Europe.
Morawiecki also argued that, despite the pandemic, Poland remained among the most attractive countries for foreign investors.
He added that international companies were "pointing to our excellent workers as our biggest asset."
He also praised the planned factory, saying it would be innovative and buy supplies from local farmers and contractors.
"It matters a great deal when such eco-friendly, big American projects are being located here, in Poland," he said.
PepsiCo's chief executive for Europe, Silviu Popovici, noted the corporation already had four production facilities in Poland. He told reporters that the new project would serve as a model of sustainable development for the entire continent.
Meanwhile, the company said it was already working with 80 eco-friendly potato farmers from around Poland.
After the new factory is launched, PepsiCo plans to be buying nearly 300,000 tonnes of potatoes annually from them, the PAP news agency reported.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP