Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti took a one-day visit to Warsaw.

We had a good conversation with Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti. The Italians face similar challenges under the NRP. They have undertaken the reform of justice and opened the access to the taxi and carriage of passengers market as well as medical business. These numerous reforms stabilise the European single market in the EU without barriers to the entrepreneurs from the other economies

– said the Minister of Economic Development of Technology Waldemar Buda after the meeting.

Strengthening the Polish-Italian economic relationships

The Ministers of Poland and Italy discussed further development of cooperation between the two countries in the strategic sectors, including the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries. Due to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine they have become the technologies of key importance.

No other country has done as much as Russia in terms of exposing the need to build the European strategic autonomy and defensive capabilities of the West

– stressed Minister Waldemar Buda.

In this context, the Minister of Economic Development and Technology emphasized among others the need to undertake the measures to improve safety and security of the supply chains and relocate the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients to Europe. The Minister pointed out at the need to establish the system of incentives necessary to restore and maintain the production of key medicinal products in Europe.

Minister Buda informed that under its National Recovery Plan Poland intends to support the construction and development of infrastructure for manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients, drugs (generics and biosimilars) and medical devices. Our country has been preparing also to launch the calls for proposals under IPCEI HEALTH.

The issues of maintaining the principle of freedom to provide services on the European single market as well as implementation of the Fit for 55 package, in particular in the construction sector, were also discussed at the meeting.

Socio-economic implications of the war in Ukraine

The Ministers looked into the problem of providing aid to the Ukrainian refugees, estimated number of which has already exceeded 6 millions. According to data, approx. 3.46 million of people crossed the Polish – Ukrainian border. This number is significantly lower in Italy – approx. 111 thousand of people.

Buda and Giorgetti discussed also gaining independence of the economies from the Russian fossil resources. The key aspects were, among others, increasing the investments in the LNG infrastructure and the role of RES in boosting the employment. The impact of war in Ukraine on cereal and food shortages in effect of blocking of the Ukrainian ports by Russia was also examined.

Polish – Italian cooperation in the defensive and space industries

The subject of cooperation in the defensive and space industries was also brought up.

We are interested in the Polish – Italian cooperation in the European Defence Fund projects

– emphasized the Minister of Economic Development and Technology.

Italy is the main manufacturer of armaments in the European Union and has comprehensive experience in the implementation of successful research projects in the defensive, security and space sectors.

Polish – Italian trade exchange and investment cooperation

Italy is one of the leading trade partners of Poland. After 1Q this year this country is ranked fifth in terms of export and fourth in terms of share in import.

The last year was the period of a noticeable revitalisation of trade exchange with Italy. In 2021, the Polish export onto this market increased by 27% and reached the value of EUR 13.2 billion, while the import volume grew by 21% and amounted to EUR 14.3 billion.

The Italian companies have been actively investing in the Special Economic Zone and the Polish Investment Zone. Between 2000 and the end of 2021, the number of continuously operating investments of the Italian enterprises was 145 with the declared value of investments of PLN 7.755 billion and the declared number of new jobs of 6,241. The Italian companies are ranked third in terms of the number of investments and fifth in terms of created new jobs.