This was confirmed by the discussion “Strategic partnership between Poland and France – what has it brought us and how can we use it to strengthen cooperation?” at the XXXIII Economic Forum, organized by the French-Polish Chamber of Commerce (CCIFP).
The foreword was given by Tareck Ouaibi, President of CCIFP.
– The year 2024 is special for our organization, we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of our existence. Polish-French economic relations have a long tradition, and French investors have become a permanent part of the panorama of the Polish economy – he emphasized.
CCIFP and the Institute for Expert Debate and Analysis Quant Tank have prepared a report showing the contribution of companies with French capital and Polish-French relations to the development of the Polish economy.
– France is currently the second largest foreign investor in Poland and the third largest employer. French companies have invested PLN 108 billion, created 227 thousand jobs and at least as many with their partners or suppliers. Since 2015, the added value generated by French companies in Poland has increased by at least 60 percent, and annual investments have exceeded PLN 10 billion – summed up Tareck Ouaibi.
On February 12, French President Emmanuel Macron announced during a meeting with Prime Minister Donald Tusk the preparation of a bilateral treaty that would replace the document signed in 1991. “I am impressed by Polish-French relations,” said Étienne de Poncins, the French ambassador to Poland for a year, speaking about the intensification of contacts and the good relations between the Polish Prime Minister and the French President. The ambassador emphasized the development of economic relations in the last decade, concerning trade and investments, adding that he also sees the interest of Polish entrepreneurs in France.
– For 100 years, Poland and France have never been so close – confirmed Aleksander Siemaszko, director of the Department of Trade and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Development and Technology. – We are closer because there has been a certain convergence of views on European integration, Europe’s role in the world, threats and challenges – he continued.
Aleksander Siemaszko cited the trade intensity index, which, taking into account the economic potential of countries and mutual trade, shows whether cooperation opportunities are being used. A value of 1 indicates that this is the case. A higher value means that the potential was higher than would result from dry numbers.
“In the case of Poland and France, it is 0.89,” he said, estimating that both countries are well on their way to a value of 1.
Rafał Hryniewiecki, deputy director of the Department of Economic Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who has been head of the economic department at the Polish embassy in Paris for the past few years, also took part in the discussion. He spoke about changes in relations in recent years and security issues.
– We see a change in France’s approach to Russia, and we also appreciate the very strong support for Ukraine. This has created an additional area for cooperation and opened up a field to face contemporary geopolitical challenges, he said.
Economic relations were described in more detail by Dr. Stanisław Kluza from the Warsaw School of Economics, co-author of the CCIFP and Quant Tank report.
– Polish-French foreign trade amounts to almost EUR 35 billion – he pointed out, adding that in recent years, despite somewhat cooler – as he put it – institutional support, French entities have achieved one of the greatest successes on the Polish market. Thanks to the fact that they had an idea for themselves.
– This is very important information from the report, French entities are among the best at estimating risk and development potential among investors in Poland – he emphasized.
The business thread was developed in the debate by representatives of the most important investors. The VINCI Group is one of the world leaders in construction.
– We have been developing in Poland for 30 years. We employ several thousand people and we would like to employ more – declared Nicolas Dépret, president of VINCI Construction Polska, Warbud SA and Eurovia Polska SA. He added that the availability of employees is very important for further development, as are stable operating conditions and the consistency of the authorities, e.g. in the implementation of investments related to railways or aviation. This, like nuclear energy, is an example of areas in which Polish-French cooperation has particularly good prospects.
– We know how to build, we know how to support – emphasized Nicolas Dépret.
VINCI is involved in projects related to security, among others. The company completed a complex of facilities in Powidz, which was put into operation in 2024, the largest NATO investment in 30 years.
Fabrice Audan, president of Wyborowa Pernod Ricard and Pernod Ricard for Central and Eastern Europe, also spoke about the company’s development in Poland. The Polish market is one of the most important in the world for the Pernod Ricard Group in terms of sales and investments. Thanks to the Group, Polish local alcohol brands reach markets all over the world. In 2023, a distribution center was launched on the outskirts of Zielona Góra, which significantly increased the company’s logistics capabilities. President Audan also spoke about the company’s activities in the field of sustainable development and social responsibility, which is a showcase for investors from Poland. He emphasized the importance of stable business conditions, predictable legal regulations and fair taxes.
The new Polish-French treaty is to be signed this year in Nancy. This is a symbolic place, where in the 18th century the former Polish king Stanisław Leszczyński settled as Duke of Lorraine. Étienne de Poncins mentioned two examples of important areas that are to be included in the treaty: security and defense, and energy. The ambassador pointed out that there are five large countries in the EU: Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Poland. The country on the Seine has premium partnership treaties with three of them. Now it is time to raise the level of relations with Poland.
Organizer:
Press materials
Ground floor:
Press materials
