Poland in the UAE

Polish-Emirati relations are characterized by increasing intensity and constant expansion of areas of cooperation. Poland is among the countries relations with whom are a priority for the Emirates. High-level visits (notably two visits of the President of Poland in 2023), as well as other numerous contacts between representatives of the public and private sectors and the expansion of the institutional infrastructure of cooperation, have opened the way to further joint business projects. Although the economy is the most promising area in Polish-Emirate relations, they are also developing in the fields of academics, culture, science and sports. There is also a willingness to cooperate in the field of defense.

We build on the already accomplished and successful projects, eg. last year's investment of the Emirati food company LULU in the logistics center in Olsztyn. In 2023 the value of bilateral trade amounted to USD 1.5 billion, a 20%-growth in comparison to 2022, with notable increase of exports of Polish foodstuffs to the UAE. During COP28, MASDAR announced another investment in Poland, made together with Taaleri Energia and Polish partner DOMREL. The investment envisages the construction of a mix of PV and wind farms generating 1GW of energy over 5-7 years. The Polish manufacturer of luxury catamarans SunReef Yachts has launched a new USD 100 million investment in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. This is just a sample of the fast-growing economic relationship between Poland and the UAE.

As the UAE is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for businesses and workers from around the globe, the number of Polish citizens living in the UAE reached nearly 10 thousand, contributing to the strength of the Emirati economy. There is also a rapidly growing number of Polish companies based here. In this context, it is important to note the inauguration of the Polish Business Council in Dubai, grouping Polish companies present in the Emirates, and the aim of which is to expand and strengthen business ties between Poland and the UAE as well as to increase the visibility of Polish businesses in the Emirates. This will open new opportunities for Polish investors not only in the UAE, but also, thanks to their strategic location and logistical links, in other markets in Africa and Asia.

Of great significance was also the visit of the Emirati delegation in Poland in May 2024, the main point of which was its participation in the European Economic Congress in Katowice. The delegation led by Deputy Minister Rashid Al Balooshi from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development has purchased a separate pavilion for this edition of the Congress for its partners (including Mubadala Fund, Khalifa Fund for Development, Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, Department of Health). During the EEC, an agreement was signed to establish the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce (ADCC) representation in the Upper Silesian Fund office. Upon the completion of its participation in the Congress, the Emirati delegation travelled to Krakow, and then to Lublin and Warsaw. In Krakow the local authorities presented the investment offer of the Małopolska Region. During the visit to Lublin a letter of intent on cooperation between Lublin and Abu Dhabi and an MoU between ADCC and the Lublin Chamber of Commerce and Industry were signed. Finally, on May 14, the Polish-Emirate Business Council held its first meeting in the headquarters of the Polish Chamber of Commerce (KIG) in Warsaw.

Another important step in deepening the bilateral economic relations was the first session of the Polish-Emirati Strategic Financial Dialogue, held in Warsaw on 7-8 July 2024. Representatives of administration and business of both countries discussed the use of AI, implementation of FinTech, bank cooperation and green transformation, among other issues. The session was highly productive, opening the way for further cooperation in this crucial area. We are looking forward to the next session to be held in 2025 in the Emirates.

Our priority for the near future is to convene (preferably in the first semester of 2025) a meeting of the Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation in Abu Dhabi (the previous meeting took place in September 2022 in Warsaw), to further boost our trade and investment cooperation.

We also hope for a rapid development of wide-ranging defense collaboration with the UAE. In this respect, Poland aims to finalise and implement an agreement on combating terrorism and organized crime (between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of both countries), as well as the MoUs in the area of defense cooperation and protection of classified information.