There are two upcoming highlights of Poland’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai

• The Polish-Arab Economic Forum is a great occasion to promote bilateral economic relations, present Polish achievements and potential in the field of exporting goods and services – particularly from sectors related to the theme of Expo 2020 Dubai. 800 guests from Poland and the Arab countries – UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, Morocco and Lebanon, are expected to partake in the event.
• At the plenary and treaty session, bilateral agreements will be concluded between Poland and the United Arab Emirates, covering among others: Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) – Polish Investment and Trade Agency; Dubai Global Connect – Polish Investment and Trade Agency; Etihad Credit Insurance – KUKE; Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce & Industry – Polish Chamber of Commerce (KIG).
• The Polish-Arab Economic Forum will host state officials from Poland and the United Arab Emirates, including among others, senior representatives of the Ministry of Development and Technology, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy, the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development.
• A number of partners will participate in the event, such as Polish Development Bank (BGK) and PKN Orlen.

‘The Polish Arab Economic Forum and the Honour Day at Expo 2020 Dubai, are great occasions to promote Poland, its diversity and potential of entrepreneurs, that want to develop their companies together with business partners from the Middle East. The signing of bilateral agreements with representatives from the United Arab Emirates will open a new chapter in our relations, strengthen those relations, and bring substantial benefits to the Polish economy in the coming years’, comments Grzegorz Piechowiak, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Technology.

‘Over 300 000 guests have visited the Poland Pavilion since 1 October. Our presentation at Expo 2020 in Dubai tells a multidimensional story about the country and its successes, which have been greatly appreciated by foreign visitors. On 6 and 7 December, this significant story will be in the spotlight. On 6 December, we invite our guests to join the Polish-Arab Economic Forum, which is one of the two main economic fora to be held at Expo 2020 Dubai. On 7 December, the entire Expo 2020 Dubai will turn white and red – it will be a colourful and joyful celebration of Polish Day, a change that will present our creativity, enthusiasm and diversity’, comments Adrian Malinowski, Commissioner General of the Polish Section of Expo 2020 Dubai.

The Polish-Arab Economic Forum is part of a comprehensive economic programme developed for Expo 2020 Dubai in cooperation with our partners and institutions. Our goal is to promote Polish products and services in Middle Eastern markets. We are sure that in the dynamic world, cooperation with potential investors from the Gulf countries is not only possible but even necessary. In order to boost successful cooperation, we will present export proposals related to the digital economy, Polish design and food safety, as well as offers that show our country as an attractive investment location’, says Krzysztof Drynda, president of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency.

Economic Forum Programme

The opening ceremony of the Polish-Arab Economic Forum will be held in the Dubai Marina Hotel on 6 December 2021 at 9:30 am. The welcome speech will be delivered by representatives of Ministry of Development and Technology, Polish Development Bank (BGK) and Polish Investment and Trade Agency. Afterwards, thematic panels will be held featuring the presentation of export and investment offers, followed by B2B meetings and the presentation of reports prepared by KUKE and SGH.

Thematic presentations with export offers

10:00 am – 11:15 am: ‘Green energy of the future’

Panellists: Maciej Mazur - CEO, Polish Alternative Fuels Association; Grzegorz Jóźwiak - Director of the Alternative Fuels Implementation Office, PKN ORLEN; Szymon Byliński - Director of the Department of Electromobility and Hydrogen Economy, Ministry of Climate and Environment; Konrad Trzonkowski - Managing Director, Industrial Development Agency (ARP); Grzegorz Pawelec - Innovation and Funding Manager, Hydrogen Europe; Wael Bamhair - CEO, Taqnia Energy Saudi Arabia; Dr. Nasser H. Saidi - President of Nasser Saidi & Associates, i.e. Former Minister of Economy and Trade of Lebanon; H.E. Fahad Al Gergawi - CEO, Dubai FDI

11:30 am – 12:45 pm: ‘Digital economy – new opportunities for modern societies’

Panellists: Dara Latinwo - Manager, Deloitte Middle East; Heide Young - Head of Cyber Security Strategy, Co-Founder of Women in Cyber Security in Middle East; Jamil Asfur - Partner, Ferocity Capital; Sonia Wedrychowicz - Partner, McKinsey & Company; Marcin Parafianowicz - Digital Transformation Expert, SAP; Faisal Hammoud - Business Development Director, Dubai Internet City; Zbigniew Nowicki - E-commerce and Digital Expert, Polish Chamber of Electronic Economy; Mikołaj Różycki - Acting President, Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP); Paolo Barbesino - Head of Multichannel Banking, Emirates NBD

1:00 pm – 1:45 pm: ‘Tradition and modern style’

Panellists: Leopold Ajami - Novel Philosphy Academy; Jacek Markusiewicz - Architect, founder of RAZ design studio; Maciej Frej - Founder of Art in Public Space in Dubai; Dr hab. Marek Błażucki - Dean of the Department of Furniture Design and Elements of Interior Design, the Kraków Academy of Fine Arts; Farah Sabobeh - Architect, Cultural Consultant & Design Strategist

1:45 pm – 2:30 pm: ‘Food safety – a challenge or a chance?’

Panellists: Houssine Belghiti - Redmac, UAE; Jerzy Ślusarczyk – CEO, PROTE Technologie dla środowiska Sp. z o.o.; Dr inż. Wojciech Poćwiardowski - Director of Technology, Research and Development, Centrum Badawczo-Rozwojowe As Produkt; Prof. Giovanni Federico - NYU Professor, Abu Dhabi, UAE; Dr Alaa Zayed - Animal Health and Food Quality Manager BDM, ARASCO Company; Michał Laskowski - Prometheus

Thematic presentations with investment offers

10:00 am – 11:15 am: ‘Infrastructure for the future – strategic investment opportunities in Poland’

Featuring: Marcin Fabianowicz - Director of Centre for Strategic Investments, Polish Investment and Trade Agency; Marcin Gątarz - Head of Financial Analysis Department, Solidarity Transport Hub Poland; Grzegorz Bławat - Senior Specialist for Project Management, Port of Gdynia; Janusz Janiszewski - Acting President, Polish Air Navigation Services Agency; Mateusz Zelek - Plenipotentiary of the CEO for Innovation & Development, Polish Air Navigation Services Agency; Rafał Paprocki - UAV and UTM Senior Specialist, Polish Air Navigation Services Agency; Rafał Bednarek - Deputy Director for UAV, Polish Air Navigation Services Agency; Maciej Włodarczyk - Head of UAV Operations Unit, Polish Air Navigation Services Agency

11:30 am – 12:45 pm: ‘Perspectives for future growth – investment opportunities in Poland’

Featuring: Krzysztof Misiak - Executive Partner, Head of Poland, Board Member at Cushman & Wakefield; Krzysztof Senger - Managing Director, International Business & Relations, Polish Development Bank (BGK); Member of the Management Board, Three Seas Initiative Investment Fund; Piotr Karnkowski - Head of Treasury, Debt Origination & Investment, Polish Development Bank (BGK); Chairman of the Management Board, Three Seas Initiative Investment Fund; Łukasz Gałczyński - Deputy Director, Investment Development Department, Ministry of Development and Technology; Piotr Wojtyczka – Chairman of the Board, WSSE "INVEST-PARK"; Maciej Tyszka – Deputy Director, Investor Service Department - „Invest in Poland”

1:00 pm – 2:20 pm: ‘Attractive forms of investment in Poland’

Featuring: Jan Sarnowski - Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Finance; Krzysztof Senger - Managing Director, International Business & Relations, Polish Development Bank (BGK) and Member of the Management Board, Three Seas Initiative Investment Fund; Janusz Władyczak - Janusz Władyczak - President of the Management Board, KUKE; Filip Duszczyk - Deputy Director, Market Development Department, The Warsaw Stock Exchange (GPW); Konrad Trzonkowski - Managing Director, Industrial Development Agency (ARP); Zbigniew Bednarski - Director, Branch Coordination Office, Industrial Development Agency (ARP)

Economy of the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven Emirates. The population is 9.5 million, the GDP is $ 421,429 million, the GDP growth is 3.6% (2.5% projected increase in 2021). The UAE celebrates its 50th anniversary of the state's founding. The state is a bridge between Europe, Asia and Africa. The UAE is recognized as the second safest country in the world with the highest quality of life in the Middle East. The value of Polish-Emirate trade in 2020 amounted to USD 725.9 million, of which USD 615.7 million is the value of Polish exports to the UAE.

The Honour Day of Poland at Expo 2020 Dubai

The Honour Day of Poland, planned to take place on 7 December 2021, will be one of the major highlights of Expo 2020 Dubai. On that day, Poland will present its potential to the wide international audience visiting Expo. In line with the Expo protocol, the official part of the event held under a monumental Al Wasl dome in the presence of top state officials from Poland and the United Arab Emirates will include a ceremonial performance of the Polish national anthem and the raising of the Polish flag. The Honour Day of Poland will take place during the week of the United Arab Emirates celebrating the Golden Jubilee, namely the 50th anniversary of the founding of the state. The event will conclude with an evening concert of Polish music.

The Polish-African Economic Forum

Another international event organised after the Polish-Arab Economic Forum, as part of Poland’s economic programme at Expo 2020 Dubai, will be the Polish-African Economic Forum. The event will be held on 23 February 2022 in Dubai. Registration for the event will be possible at www.expo.gov.pl

Economic webinars organised by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency have proven to be excellent occasions for learning about the specifics of doing business on African markets. Three webinars have taken place so far, concerning Nigeria (21.09.2021), South Africa (6.10.2021) and Kenya (14.10.2021). During the events, the entrepreneurs were given an opportunity to learn how to export and promote their products or services on new markets. They also became familiar with distribution channels and logistics conditions, as well as gaining basic insights into how to build long-term business relations.