The Polish-African Economic Forum in Dubai was attended by over 400 entrepreneurs, experts and representatives of public institutions from 40 countries around the world, including 21 African countries.

Trade turnover between Poland and African countries currently amounts to about $8 billion and is growing steadily, increasing by almost 29% in 2021 compared to the previous year. Africa is one of the most promising markets in the world. It is characterised by great economic and demographic potential. The Dubai Forum is an excellent opportunity to strengthen and develop these economic relations,

- said the Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Technology, Grzegorz Piechowiak.

During the expert panels, their participants discussed the condition and future of the food industry, transport and infrastructure, green technologies and health care. Talks also concerned new solutions in medicine and support instruments for entrepreneurs, in the context of Polish-African relations.

Economic talks and meetings

During the Polish-African Economic Forum in Dubai, Deputy Minister Grzegorz Piechowiak met with UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani Bin Ahmed Al. Zeyoudi. The subject of the conversation, which was also attended by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Lech Kołakowski, President of BGK Beata Daszyńska-Muzyczka and President of PAiIH Krzysztof Drynda, was Polish - Emirati economic relations. And during a meeting with the Nigerian Minister of Mines and Steel Olamilekan Adegbit, he discussed prospects for cooperation between Poland and Nigeria in these areas.

On the next day of his stay in the United Arab Emirates, Deputy Minister Grzegorz Piechowiak visited Masdar City. This is the first fully ecological, energy self-sufficient city, which has been under construction in the emirate of Abu Dhabi since 2006. It is being built in the desert, some 17 km south-east of the capital. Ultimately the city is to be home to 50,000 residents and a workplace for 40,000 workers from outside.

At the end of his stay in the United Arab Emirates, the Deputy Head of the Ministry of Economy also took part in the Annual Investment Meeting in Dubai, which is organised regularly by the Emirates' Ministry of Economy. Over the years it has become a leading platform for information exchange and discussion on investment in the Middle East, attended by experts and representatives of leading corporations, financial and governmental institutions from around the world. This year's eleventh edition was held under the theme 'Investing in Sustainable Innovation for a Thriving Future'.

Polish-African economic relations

In 2021, exports of Polish goods to African countries amounted to $4 billion and imports to $3.9 billion. This means that Polish exports to Africa increased by 21.4% compared to the previous year, while imports from the continent increased by 36.8%

The main exports to Africa are: cereals, machinery and mechanical equipment, meat, processed cereals, confectionery, dairy products, eggs, natural honey, electrical machinery and equipment, mineral fuels and ships and boats, tobacco products.

The main directions of Polish economic expansion to African markets in 2021 were: Republic of South Africa ($753.7 million), Algeria ($720.2 million), Morocco ($645.7 million), Egypt ($417.1 million), Tunisia ($153.2 million).

The key position is occupied by agro-food products ($1,493.4 million, share 45.7%) electro-machinery products ($895.4 million, share 27.4%) and chemical industry products ($291.3 million, share 8.9%). Together, the above three commodity groups account for over 80% of our exports to Africa.

In 2021, we imported the most products from Nigeria (totalling $927 million), Morocco ($869.2 million), South Africa ($487.5 million), Tunisia ($308.3 million) and Egypt ($308.2 million), Liberia ($229.2 million), Côte d'Ivoire ($193.4 million) and Mozambique ($158.9 million). Mineral products ($1,150.8 billion, 33% share of total imports from Africa) and textiles and materials ($569.9 million, 16.6% share) dominated.