In the pre-1989 era, Wrocław-based companies were leaders in the development and production of the first computers in the Communist Bloc. That tradition continues today. Information technology companies from Wroclaw and the region dominate the national market and have transformed southwest Poland into an IT hub. The region is home to a wide-array of companies that specialize in advanced software design, while local universities and technical institutes have become centres of expertise in the area of new technologies. The potential of the local market has been recognized by world leaders such as Capgemini, Siemens and Volvo who have chosen the city to launch cutting-edge software design centres. Homegrown Polish software leaders such as Winuel, Teta or Yuma are enjoying increasing renown in the international arena.

Financial Services

Wrocław ranks second only to Warsaw as a financial services centre. Four nationwide banks have established their headquarters here: BZ WBK, Lukas Bank, Eurobank, Santander Consumers Bank (formerly PTF Bank). The following financial services companies also have their headquarters and/or roots in Wrocław: AIG Credit, Getin Holding, Kaczmarski Inkasso, Kruk Inkasso. Together, the 16 Wrocław-based leasing companies command 25% of the Polish leasing market. Wrocław is also a centre for debt collection services. Local companies hold a 60% share in the Polish market. The nation's first and largest National Debt Register - Business Information Bureau - was founded in the city. Recently, Hewlett-Packard chose Wrocław for its European accounting centre. Similarly, Volvo has established its own European accounting-administration centre in the city.

Automotive Industry

The world's automotive leaders are investing in Lower Silesia. Wrocław is the European bus manufacturing centre for Volvo. The city is also Volvo's global production centre for backhoe loaders. Toyota investments in Lower Silesia have made the region a major world hub for the production of automotive components. Volkswagen too has been manufacturing engines for several years in Polkowice, a city located 100 km from Wrocław. Industry partners such as Bosch, Wabco, GKN, Faurecia, Metzeler, Takata- Petri, NSK and Autoliv have followed in the footsteps of these prestigious automotive concerns and set up shop here.

Household Appliances

Lower Silesia is fast becoming a major European household goods production centre due to a cluster of world leaders now operating in the region. Two of the largest white goods manufacturers in Poland are located in Wrocław: Whirlpool produces washing machines and refrigerators at the former Polar factory; and Wrozamet (Fagor) operates a cookers factory. Sweden's Electrolux has set up dishwasher and washing machine manufacturing facilities in both Żary and Oława. Such a concentration of investments in the household goods industry brings tangible benefits to other related companies that have chosen to follow suit and locate their production facilities here. Take LG Electronics, for example. The South Korean giant has launched construction of a plant near Wrocław that will produce washing machines and two-door refrigerators.

Logistic Centre

Wroclaw stands the chance of becoming the major logistic  centre in this part of Europe, taking the reigns from Prague and Dresden. The large investments in the automotive, household goods and consumer electronics sectors mean that the Wrocław agglomeration could become a hotspot for logistic companies. With superb location on the A4 motorway, the city connects Germany with the Ukraine and beyond. Prologis recently completed an 18,000 squaremetre hall in Bielany Wrocławskie, with nine more on the way. Portugal's Tiner has a 20,000 square-metre facility open in Pietrzykowice. Parkridge CE Developments has tapped the agglomeration's potential by investing at the strategically located Kątecka Junction. The company plans to develop a total of 86,000 square metres of warehouse and logistic centre space at that site.

Hi-Tech Electronics

The Wrocław agglomeration hit the international headlines at the end of 2005 when LG Philips LCD and their suppliers announced they would invest € 780 million by 2011 in a major cutting-edge production complex just south of Wrocław. The South Koreans chose Lower Silesia to build a large facility that will produce liquid-crystal display (LCD) modules for televisions, the first of its kind in Europe. Construction started in 2006, and the plant is slated to be operational by 2007. In sum, nine factories will be located at the Biskupice Podgórne facility. LG Philips LCD's choice is expected to serve as a magnet for other cutting edge investments. 3M, an LG supplier, has already announced plans to follow suit and launch its second investment in Wrocław. The new 3M facility will produce LCD optical films.

Medical Industry

The emergence of several important medical companies is closely connected with a rapidly developing R&D infrastructure for new technologies, and the availability of staff with excellent training in medicine and related fields. The Wrocław Medical University, the University of Wrocław and the Technical University are the main sources of recruits for this industry. The Technology Park and the Wrocław Centre for Technology Transfer have proven suitable partners for companies operating in this sector. Major investors include: MacoPharma, 3M, US Pharmacia, Hasco Lek and Herbapol.

Entertainment & Recreation

Wrocław is experiencing a veritable tourist boom. In 2005 more than one million foreign tourists visited the city, catapulting Wroclaw to third place as the most popular tourist destination in Poland, following only Warsaw and Cracow. The advent of cheap airlines serving Wrocław in part explains the boom. But Wrocław's visibility is growing in the region too. The city can be reached by car from Berlin, Dresden and Prague. Wrocław is considered by many as the entertainment capital of Poland. Visitors from Europe and around the world emphasize the high living standard and the rich cultural life of the city. On an annual basis Wrocław hosts a multitude of cultural events of international importance. Major investments in the city's cultural and tourist infrastructure are underway. Soon the largest Aquapark in Poland will open in Wrocław. A new state-of-the-art concert hall, a theatre and a planetarium are also in the works.