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 in 2024. High-level visits, as well as other numerous contacts between representatives of the public and private sectors and the expansion of the institutional infrastructure of cooperation, open the way to further joint business projects, following the example of last year's investment of the LULU concern into a logistics center in Olsztyn. 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.

The two most important events at the political level between Poland and the Emirates last year were the two visits of the Polish President Andrzej Duda: a bilateral one (6-8/03/2023) during which he had a meeting with the Emirati President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the one at the COP28 (30/11-2/12/2023) where he also held separate talks with the President of the UAE. The direct result of the March visit was the High Level Business Delegation of Emirati business in Poland led by the Emirati Ministry of Foreign Affairs (May 2023) combined with a business forum organized by Polish Trade and Investment Agency (PAIH).

The United Arab Emirates remains Poland's key trading and investment partner in the Persian Gulf and  wider MENA regions. It is likely that 2023 will ultimately end with bilateral trade at the level of USD 1.5 billion, which would constitute another 20% increase compared to 2022. 2023 was a continuation and at the same time intensification of activities aimed at closer political cooperation and, consequently, economic, business and investment one.

In 2023, the following most important political and political-economic visits were carried out:

- President of the Republic of Poland (March 6-8) : meeting with the President of the UAE and signing  of two MoUs - in the field of energy and in the field of digital economy and artificial intelligence;

- Minister of Finance Magdalena Rzeczkowska (May 2023) : meeting with the Emirati Minister of Finance, head of the Central Bank, head of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, management of the ADQ fund;

- Head of the National Security Bureau, Jacek Siewiera : meeting with Ali Al Zaabi, advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE for security (December 2023);

- Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment Adam Gibourge-Czetwertyński (January 2023) at the IRENA Council in Abu Dhabi : meeting with the Deputy Minister of Energy at the Emirati Ministry of Energy and Industry and the CEO of COP28;

- President of BGK (March and December during COP28) –  meeting with the Minister of State for International Trade, Dr. Thani al Zeyoudi, with the management of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and MASDAR;

- Delegation of deputies to the Sejm of the Republic of Poland : meeting with deputies of the Federal National Council of the UAE (February 2023);

- President of the Upper Silesian Fund (October 2023) - renewal of the operation of the Upper Silesian Fund office in Abu Dhabi for another year and signing of a MoU between the regions;

It is very important to underline the growth rate of bilateral cooperation in the agri-food sector. Polish food exports to the Emirates increased significantly and in the first 10 months of 2023, they exceeded EUR 158 million (in 2022, the barrier of EUR 100 million was reached). The most important achievement in the agri-food sector, but also in the investment sector, was the decision of the LULU International Group to open a logistics and consolidation center at the airport in Olsztyn with a local partner. The relevant agreement was signed in September 2023 in Warsaw between LULU Group and PAIH and in Olsztyn between LULU Group and the Olsztyn-Mazury airport.

2023 also brought the development of football diplomacy between Poland and the UAE, which resulted in the cooperation between the Stomil Olsztyn and Dubai Stallions clubs. The direct effect of these efforts was the signing of an agreement on the investment worth EUR 5 million for 2023-2025 in the Stomil Olsztyn sports club by a Dubai investor.

The following Polish companies continue to operate in the Emirates: ORLEN, SunReef Yachts, COMARCH, LUG and EUVIC. The ORLEN office still operates in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and carries out oil and gas exploration works.

At the beginning of 2024, a number of important projects were implemented to forther accelerate the bilateral cooperation :

- Opening of the Polish Business Council in Dubai. The inauguration of the Polish Business Council in Dubai took place at Dubai Chambers. Its aim 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. The Council was inaugurated by the Polish Minister of Development and Technology Jacek Tomczak, who was visiting the UAE on the occasion of the WTO Summit. One of the Council's objectives is to attract Polish enterprises to the Emirati market, including from the food sector or the renewable energy industry, as well as acquiring Emirati partners who will invest in Poland. The opening and presence of the Polish Business Council in the Emirates will open new opportunities for Polish investors not only in the UAE, but also, taking into account its strategic location, will facilitate the access to markets in Africa and Asia.

- Visit of Minister Jacek Tomczak. During his visit to the WTO Summit in Abu Dhabi in February 2024, Minister Tomczak met with the following interlocutors: Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Ahmed Al Sayegh, Minister of Foreign Trade - Dr. Thani El Zeyoudi and Deputy Minister of Investments - Mohamed Al Hawi. These meetings confirmed the very good and operational nature of business and investment relations between Poland and the Emirates.

- Visit of senator and former Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Poland, Waldemar Pawlak. Former Prime Minister, currently Senator of the Republic of Poland, Waldemar Pawlak, also visited Abu Dhabi. His visit was related to his participation in the parliamentary component of the WTO Summit. Senator Pawlak met with the head of the economy and innovation committee of the Emirati Federal National Council (FNC), Saeed Rashid Al Abdi. Additionally, the Senator held a meeting with the president of the Emirati arms and technology holding EDGE, Faysal Al Bannai, in which participated also the ambassador of the Republic of Poland Jakub Sławek and Mr. Rafał Łaziński - CEO of the Polish company Flaris, which is implementing a joint-venture project of an ultra-light aircraft together with EDGE.

- The Polish company SunReef Yachts has launched an investment in the Emirates. The Polish manufacturer of luxury catamarans, SunReef Yachts from Gdańsk, officially launched its investment (approx. PLN 100 million) in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. SunReef decided to move the production of its catamarans to the Emirates due to its strategic location, customer portfolio from the region and Asia, and attractive investment conditions. The shipyard's launch ceremony was attended by former President Lech Wałęsa and Deputy Minister of Development and Technology Ignacy Niemczycki.

- Poland at the UNESCO Summit in Abu Dhabi. At the UNESCO Summit on Cultural and Artistic Education in Abu Dhabi, Poland was represented by Deputy Minister of Culture Marta Cienkowska. She participated in two thematic panels regarding education in the field of culture and financing of culture. On the sidelines of the Summit, Minister Cienkowska held a bilateral meeting with the Emirati Deputy Minister of Culture Mubarak Al Nakhi, with whom she discussed the possibilities of developing cultural cooperation between Poland and the UAE.