The Polish-South African Commission for Economic Cooperation has inaugurated its activities

04.09.2026

On September 4, 2026, the Polish-South African Commission for Economic Cooperation inaugurated its activities in Warsaw. The proceedings were co-chaired by M. Baranowski, Deputy Minister of Development and Technology, and John Steenhuisen, South Africa's Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition. Discussions focused on agriculture, food products, green energy, modern industry (including machinery and mining), digitalization, and the automation of industrial processes.

From the left, against the background of the flags of South Africa and the Republic of Poland, standing: Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa, John Steenhuisen, and Deputy Minister of Development and Technology, Michał Baranowski; a Ministry of Trade, Industry and Competition backdrop is visible in the background; the politicians are shaking hands.

During their visit to Poland, the South African delegation also visited the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Digital Affairs (the Polish side was represented by Minister Stefan Krajewski and Deputy Minister Rafał Rosiński).

The main topic of discussions at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was the potential for strengthening cooperation in the agri-food sector, with a particular emphasis on expanding trade and securing market access to South Africa for Polish goods. The talks were also attended by Chief Veterinary Officer Paweł Meyer and representatives of the National Support Centre for Agriculture. In conclusion of this part of the talks, the Polish side announced the plan to organize a national stand at the Anuga Select South Africa trade fair in Cape Town in June 2027, aimed at showcasing Polish food products and intensifying business contacts between Polish and South African entrepreneurs.

At the Ministry of Digital Affairs, opportunities for digital cooperation between the two countries were discussed, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital administration.

The Commission’s primary objective is to increase and diversify exports from South Africa to Poland and to attract Polish investment to key sectors of the South African economy—such as renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and the automotive industry—while simultaneously removing trade barriers on both sides. These efforts also aim to identify potential areas for industrial cooperation in fields of growing importance for both economies, such as green manufacturing, mineral processing, robotics and industrial automation, tooling and precision engineering, and research and development.

Photos: MRiRW

Photos (4)

Representatives of the South African delegation—from the left: Nomvula Radebe-Fargo (South African Ambassador to Poland), John Steenhuisen (Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition), and Yunus Hoosen (Ministry of Trade, Industry and Competition, Investment Promotion Department)—are seated at a table holding talks with the Polish delegation; a bouquet of flowers, water bottles, and glasses are on the table.

John Steenhuisen (South African Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition) and Michał Baranowski (Polish Deputy Minister of Development and Technology) are signing an agreement; they are seated at a brown wooden table holding pens; two copies of the agreement and a bouquet of white and red flowers (carnations and roses) lie on the table; a navy-blue Ministry of Development and Technology backdrop is visible in the background.

A group photo of the participants of the Polish-South African Commission for Economic Cooperation; the delegates are standing on a staircase covered with a red carpet; the staircase splits into two separate flights leading in opposite directions (left and right) to the upper floor; the Polish coat of arms is visible in the background.