The Minister of Economic Development and Technology continues his three-day visit to the United States. During Tuesday’s talks in Washington, Minister Nowak was accompanied by Professor Grzegorz Wrochna, President of the Polish Space Agency (POLSA). The coordinator of the Polish space policy is the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, while POLSA is a subordinate unit of the Ministry.

The Agency’s task is to support the Polish space industry by implementing the priorities of the Polish Space Strategy. POLSA cooperates with international agencies and state administration in the field of outer space exploration and use. It is responsible for the promotion of the Polish space sector at home and abroad.

We are strengthening our cooperation with the USA so as to strengthen the security of our country as soon as possible with the latest navigation, telecommunications and observation tools. We want Poland to be able not only to use American technologies, but also to participate in their development

 – said the Minister of Economic Development and Technology, Piotr Nowak.

Technology Safeguard Agreement

Minister Piotr Nowak met with the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs, Bonnie Denise Jenkins and Assistant Secretary of State for International Security, Eliot Kang.

The subject of the talks was POLSA’s cooperation with American companies from the space industry and the proceeding of the TSA allowing to bring the system of launching satellites into the low Earth orbit to Poland.

During the meeting, the Minister emphasised that the signing of the TSA (Technology Safeguard Agreement) between the two countries would strengthen the defence capabilities of the whole European Union.

The technology safeguard agreement is of key importance for strengthening Polish cooperation with the USA in the space market. Its signing would accelerate cooperation and development, particularly in the field of space launch technologies, and would enable closer cooperation between our companies

– stressed Minister Nowak during the meeting with Undersecretary Jenkins.

The Minister highlighted that the signing of the TSA between our country and the USA would enable space launches from Poland in the near future, which would, first of all, increase the defence capabilities of the whole European Union.

Gaining independence in placing satellites in the low Earth orbit will also open up a new potential for the space industry in Poland and the EU. This will be a new, significant service for the space industry in our country and in Central Europe

– said Minister Nowak during the talks with Eliot Kang.

Development of the Polish space sector

The Polish space policy is based on the government document entitled „Polish Space Strategy”, adopted by the Council of Ministers on 26 January 2017.

Polish space sector has been developing dynamically for several years

– said the Minister to the American partners.

He stressed that the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology perceived the space sector as a high-tech industry that could contribute to creating a new model of development of the Polish economy.

We want our economy to be even more based on knowledge, innovation and technological progress

– added the Minister.

New opportunities for the construction of the space sector in Poland were created by joining the European Space Agency in 2012. This allowed Polish entities to participate in ESA programmes and projects, as well as to access the Agency’s research infrastructure, internships and training. Currently, Poland participates in 10 ESA programmes.

The Minister stressed that the Polish space sector was a relatively new but well-developed industry. It specialises, among others, in such fields as: space and ground software, precision mechanics, robotics, optics, optoelectronics, avionics, orbital orientation and correction systems, power systems, material and composite technologies, microwave and propulsion technologies, including propellants.

Meeting with the Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, Jose Fernandez

During the meeting with the Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, Jose Fernandez, the Minister raised the issue of Polish-American cooperation in the field of defence and electronics industries and a common policy in relation to the Russia-Ukraine crisis, and, in particular, the coordination of sanctions against the Kremlin.

The Minister also discussed the subject of cooperation in the energy sector.

Our goal is to ensure the greater diversification of energy sources. The commitment and support of the USA to our efforts in this regard is of critical importance

– said Minister Nowak during the meeting with Under Secretary Fernandez.

He informed that Poland was actively implementing a strategy of diversification of sources and directions of gas supplies. In this context, Minister Nowak mentioned the purchase of American liquefied natural gas (LNG).

We regard our contracts for American LNG as important steps in building a competitive gas market not only for Poland, but also for other Central and Eastern European countries that gain access to LNG through Poland

– he said.

He informed that we were currently working on increasing the regasification capacity of the LNG terminal in Świnoujście. We also plan to increase the LNG import capacity by launching the terminal of Storage and Registration Vessels in Gdańsk.

The Minister also talked about the programme for the development of nuclear energy in Poland. He stressed that this type of energy was the least expensive way to carry out a sustainable energy transition in Poland. It is to replace coal as a source of security and competitiveness of the economy, as well as to ensure the stability of supply and energy security.

The Minister also talked with the Director-General of Finance Corporation (International Development Finance Corporation - DFC), Scott A. Nathan on the corporation’s participation in the Three Seas Initiative Investment Fund. The issue of accession of Poland to the G20, cooperation in the field of energy security and transition, in order to ensure the beneficial properties of energy for industry, has been raised.

The Minister of Economic Development and Technology also met with the representatives of Dell.

Poland needs strong partners to accelerate its digital transition and ensure its cybersecurity

– said the Minister.