Qatar, Poland… Long-Standing Friendship, Promising Economic Partnerships //1//

In addition to political coordination at international forums, the two countries have held regular political consultations since 2014. These meetings review bilateral cooperation in various fields and explore ways to support and develop these relations, as well as address issues of mutual interest. During his visit to Doha in 2021, HE President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda invited Qatari businessmen to invest in Poland, highlighting the important role of the Qatar-Poland Business Council, established in 2020, in enhancing the partnership between the two sides. At a roundtable meeting with Qatari businessmen, His Excellency described the Qatari-Polish relations as strategic, dynamic, and growing. He noted that Poland imports 2.1 million tons of Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG), underscoring Qatar's importance as a strategic trading partner. The relations between Doha and Warsaw are governed by several agreements reflecting both nations' determination to develop and enhance cooperation in various fields. The trade exchange between the two countries is growing, reaching QAR 7.2 billion in 2020, according to HE the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Qatar Janusz Janke. Qatar has become an important and close partner for Poland in economic cooperation. Both countries have significant potential to increase cooperation in various sectors. Several Polish companies operate in the Qatari market in partnership with Qatari firms in fields such as construction, trade, design, technical services, health, and consulting. The business communities in both countries hold regular meetings and visits to explore economic and investment cooperation, particularly in sectors of mutual interest such as agriculture, manufacturing, food security, transport, technology, and information technology. To explore new opportunities to support and advance economic, investment, and tourism cooperation, HE Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland Pawel Jablonski headed a high-le vel economic delegation in Doha last November. The delegation met with several senior Qatari officials and business leaders to discuss ways to enhance cooperation with the Qatar-Poland Business Council, the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), the Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA), the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar), the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA), Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), and Microsoft Qatar. The head of the delegation also inaugurated the Qatar-Poland New Tech Forum, with the participation of About 20 Polish companies in its third edition examined the commercial and investment opportunities available in the technological field in both countries. In August 2022, QFC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Digital Poland Foundation to strengthen cooperation in the digital sector and accelerate the development of new digital technologies. This MoU is the first step in QFC's endeavor to establish long-term cooperation with Polish institutions. Poland is cur rently one of the largest economies in Eastern Europe, with aspirations of becoming an energy hub. Its geographic diversity attracts investments across all sectors, ranking it fourth globally in investment rates due to its favorable investment climate and numerous opportunities. Poland offers a range of projects for partnership and investment with Qatar, especially in the energy sector, as well as promising sectors such as food and agriculture, medical services, research and development, and joint humanitarian assistance. Additionally, there are significant opportunities in tourism, sports, and culture. Poland is the sixth-largest economy in the European Union, with a GDP estimated at USD 688 billion in 2022, according to World Bank statistics. With an area expanding over 312,000 square kilometers and a population of 38 million, Poland serves as a gateway to Eastern Europe, home to 250 million people. Food production plays a significant role in Poland, with 50 percent of its land area used for agriculture. Source: Qatar News Agency