- Nowadays, we can hardly imagine diplomacy without the promotion of business or our country as an attractive location for investments - said Minister Rau. - It is largely thanks to the initiatives, ideas and actions undertaken by our entrepreneurs that Poland’s presence on the world’s economic map is increasingly visible and our competitive position has grown systematically - he added.

The chief of Polish diplomacy presented the Amicus Oeconomiae award to the Ambassador of Poland in Estonia Grzegorz Kozłowski for his contribution to promoting the Polish economy and supporting Polish businesses in foreign markets. Minister Rau also appreciated the Ambassador’s active support of Polish companies from the very beginning of his mission in Estonia. The most notable achievements include the establishment of the Polish-Estonian Chamber of Commerce and organisation of a number of visits, which always comprised a significant economic component.

The following discussion – moderated by Deputy Director of the Department of Economic Cooperation Konrad Pawlik – was attended by: Director of the Department of Economic Cooperation Tomasz Jamróz, Director of the Polish Economic Institute Piotr Arak, and Director of the Economic Promotion Department at the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development Michał Polański. Discussed were, among others, the MFA’s activities in the area of economic diplomacy, with special focus on cooperation with partner organisations such as: the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development, the Polish Chamber of Commerce, the Polish Economic Institute, and Statistics Poland. The participants also spoke about the current challenges and development trends in the global economy as opportunities for Polish companies, and about economic interests of small and medium-sized enterprises in the context of their activity in foreign markets and support expected from Polish diplomacy.

Director Jamróz stressed that in 2022, further strengthening of interministerial coordination will be of key importance for economic diplomacy.

- In order to effectively promote Polish companies, it is vital to ensure a strong institutional environment. We will strive to coordinate our efforts with other ministries, particularly in the promotion of agri-food products, high technologies in environmental protection, and the offer of Poland’s tourism industry - he added.

- In January 2022, the Polish Economic Institute will present a report on prospective markets for Polish business, however, I can already say that the United States still comes first, and the United Arab Emirates takes the second place due to previous purchases and Polish export competitiveness. These two countries are followed by Ukraine, China, and Egypt. In our opinion, Polish companies should pay the closest attention to these destinations - stressed Director Arak. Director Polański added that it is vital for Polish companies to retain their position on the European markets, while taking a broader look at the Middle East, not limiting it to the UAE. He drew attention to Egypt and its extensive investment programme that offers significant opportunities for Polish companies and products.

The Amicus Oeconomiae award has been presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2014 for exceptional achievements in supporting and protecting the economic interests of Polish companies in foreign markets.

Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised this year’s ceremony as an online event.

 

Łukasz Jasina
MFA Press Spokesperson

 

Photo: MFA / Sebastian Indra