The Prime Minister, accompanied by Włodzimierz Karpiński, the Minister of the State Treasury, met with the Company’s leadership. Joined by Marian Rybak, President of the Management Board, they visited the urea production unit, and took a bird’s eye view of the plant from the granulation tower’s top deck. Mr Tusk then met with the Company staff operating the most recent addition to the fertiliser production plant, and attended a press briefing. He admitted that his visit had not been a random one.

"We travel the country in search of sources of positive energy, which Poland craves like oxygen. I am pointing to this company as a good example because, despite the circumstances, it has managed to invest money in growth over the last four or five lean years of crisis. An amount in excess of one billion złoty has been invested to make the Company competitive at home and, more importantly, in the rest of Europe. I wanted to see for myself and show to everyone else a place where people are not afraid to invest, and where the crisis is being cured with exactly that – bold and optimistic investments in the future. This is an example to be followed by the rest of the nation," the Prime Minister said.

Mr Tusk also acknowledged the collaboration between Grupa Azoty Puławy and the scientific research institutes operating in its home town

"The Company has made very rewarding relationships with the Fertilizer Research Institute of Puławy and the Puławy Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation. Mr Rybak, the Company’s CEO, has assured me that the money put into the work of the scientists and experts at the two institutes is a highly profitable investment for the entire organisation. It is helping to sharpen the Company’s competitive edge in Poland and beyond. Mr Karpiński and myself are very glad to have convinced various partners that it makes sense for the Grupa Azoty Puławy people to take responsibility for the Group across Poland, as this will guarantee that the impressive competitive edge and ambition that distinguishes the Company will be indicative of the entire Azoty Group," Mr Tusk noted.

The issues of the prevailing conditions in the Polish chemical industry, as well as the foreign takeover attempt, were also touched upon. In the Prime Minister’s opinion the takeover fell through partly thanks to Grupa Azoty Puławy and its people.

"With the combined effort of Grupa Azoty Puławy, the Group’s management, Mr Karpiński and his predecessor, we have managed to build a system that gives control of Polish companies to Polish owners. These companies are of strategic importance for a two-fold reason – they produce fertilisers and use very large quantities of gas in the process. It took us a long time to explain to some of our adversaries and lobbyists why it is in the country’s best interests to protect Grupa Azoty Puławy against takeovers of this type. But it is safe to say today that we have applied effective methods and have saved Polish companies against takeover bids of this sort," the Prime Minister stressed.

Prime Minister Tusk also announced that the duration of the Starachowice Special Economic Zone has been extended until 2026. To note, a subzone of the Starachowice Special Economic Zone is home to the two most recent investment projects owned by Grupa Azoty Puławy.

On his part, the Minister of the State Treasury reminded those present that the current strong position of Grupa Azoty Puławy and its entire Group has been built on the effort of all its employees.

"None of these accomplishments would have been possible if it weren’t for a strong corporate culture. After all, a company’s value is created chiefly by its people. Everyone here, from the operators, controllers and shift managers, to the unit heads and top management, demonstrates dedication in fulfilling their duties, and that brings good results. The synergies which the Prime Minister mentioned before, between corporate leaders and those who develop the theoretical framework of their work, have delivered some of the most efficient installations in Europe. Making investments in a time of crisis is economically reasonable in the sense that it is cost efficient, although prudence is required to make a good investment decision and sufficient capital resources must be raised in advance. Grupa Azoty Puławy has demonstrated prudence alright – the Company is in the black and has very clear growth strategies. One of the pillars of the Azoty Group and the flagship of our economy is sailing, smoothly and safely. I truly believe that prudence will also become a distinguishing mark of the other sectors of our economy," concluded Mr Karpiński.

After leaving the premises of Grupa Azoty Puławy, Prime Minister Tusk went to visit the Puławy Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation.