Warsaw, 1December 2021

There are two upcoming highlights of Polands participation in Expo 2020 Dubai
6December: The Polish-Arab Economic Forum 
7December: The Honour Day of Poland at Expo 2020 Dubai
The Polish-Arab Economic Forum will be held on 6December. It is the main business event organised as part of Polands participation in Expo in Dubai. The guests will include Polish entrepreneurs as well as state officials from Poland and the United Arab Emirates. Poland will present the export potential of its domestic goods and services, while Polish entrepreneurs will have a chance to establish relations with economic partners from the region. The Honour Day of Poland at Expo 2020 Dubai, planned for 7December, marks a remarkable moment when all Expo 2020 visitors eyes will turn to Poland. The Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) is responsible for the organisation of the Forum and Polands 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 Polish Pavilion since 1October. 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 7December, this significant story will be in the spotlight. On 6December, 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 7December, 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 6December 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 Jwiak - Director of the Alternative Fuels Implementation Office, PKN ORLEN; Szymon Byliski - 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; Mikoaj Rycki - 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 Baucki - Dean of the Department of Furniture Design and Elements of Interior Design, the Krakw 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 lusarczyk  CEO, PROTE Technologie dla rodowiska Sp. z o.o.; Dr in. Wojciech Powiardowski - 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; Micha 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 Gtarz - Head of Financial Analysis Department, Solidarity Transport Hub Poland; Grzegorz Bawat - 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; Rafa Paprocki - UAV and UTM Senior Specialist, Polish Air Navigation Services Agency; Rafa Bednarek - Deputy Director for UAV, Polish Air Navigation Services Agency; Maciej Wodarczyk - 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; ukasz Gaczyski - 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 Wadyczak - Janusz Wadyczak - 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 7December 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 Polands 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.




Contact:
Press office at Expo 2020 Dubai
Anna Tukalska
anna.tukalska@paih.gov.pl 
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More information on the website devoted to Poland's participation in World Exhibitions: www.expo.gov.pl and on social media channels of Poland at Expo: LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.












