Polish Investment and Trade Agency is a Polish government agency that supports Polish companies planning expansion into foreign markets. We do it through organizing national stands at trade events, providing advice and information, organizing workshops and arranging B2B meetings with potential local partners and clients. We also organize trade missions both for UAE partners wanting to visit Poland, and for the Polish companies that wish to learn more about the region.
Since I took over my role as the Head of the Foreign Trade Office in July last year, we have actively participated with Polish companies in some of the biggest international trade events in the UAE, such us GITEX, Automechanica or Big 5. Taking the leading role in the creation of the Polish Business Council in Dubai naturally aligns with our mission of supporting Polish businesses in the UAE and with our goal of increasing recognition of Polish technologies, brands and innovations on the global stage.
We are also actively pursuing partnerships with local entities – with the most recent one including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with TECOM Group in October last year.
Through our Foreign Trade Office in DIFC, we support companies from all sectors in exploring the UAE market, as well as those interested in searching for business opportunities in Qatar, Bahrain or Kuwait.
What is your vision for the Polish Business Council in Dubai?
It has long been my dream to unite the Polish businesses in the UAE and reassert our position within the local business community. Dubai Chambers, the most pro-active chamber I have ever worked with, offers a wide range of opportunities to national councils operating under its umbrella, not only in the Emirate but also in the whole MENA region and beyond, through their connections and open approach focused on expansion and cooperation.
My vision is for the Polish business community to grow together, as together we can achieve so much more! I wish for the Polish Business Council to gain visibility and to become the best performing, most vibrant group. I am convinced this can be achieved, since data shows Poland as a very strong performer over the last 20 years, recognized for quality and innovation of products and services. The UAE is the best country to showcase and promote our achievements, which is why we would like to increase our exposure to the wider international business community through networking activities, collaboration with other business-focused local entities and supporting our members in every way we can.
I have lived in the UAE for over 16 years. When I first arrived in the country, there were very few Polish companies present in the region. Over the last few years, the awareness regarding the potential of the UAE – not only as a destination market, but also as an international hub – increased dramatically. More and more Polish companies are realizing that this is the place to be, so I believe this is the perfect moment to start an initiative aimed at unifying and promoting Polish talent and business acumen in the Gulf.
How can members benefit from being part of the Council?
There are only benefits! Members can get access to many kinds of meetings and events, many of them organized by Dubai Chambers itself. Apart from that, we have access to meetings organized by around 50 other business councils. As Polish Business Council, we are going to be as active as possible in terms of providing networking opportunities – both formal ones, such as seminars or discussion panels, and informal ones to exchange ideas, make new connections, and support one another. Dubai Chambers, the body regulating and licensing the Council, is the most active and advanced Chamber in the UAE, and their support for Councils comes in many forms, including access to their facilities. One must keep in mind that Dubai Chambers is very well connected to the business community not only in the UAE, but also in Africa and Asia, especially the Indian subcontinent – it is a perfect gateway for businesses to the rest of the region and beyond. Thus, companies joining the Council can count on making connections not only in the – relatively small – UAE market, but they can gain a truly global exposure.
The Council is open for all UAE-based Polish businesses and professionals who understand the importance of networking and who are mature enough to be part of the business community – not only as a beneficiary, but also as an active contributor. Therefore, while we welcome everyone, we do not want to convert anyone by force – those who join should see the value in being a member. It is a Council for business-oriented people who understand the UAE market – with its relational business culture, heavily reliant on face-to-face interactions. People like that get exposed to people, who know other people, who know other people… It is as simple as that.
Tell us something about your life outside work.
Is there a life outside work? Haha. Outside work, my main focus is on further developing the Polish Business Council – these are early stages of the organization, and a lot of work needs to be done, so that we do not lose the momentum. I expect it will take a while before a true community is formed and members start getting involved on a regular basis.
However, when I do get some time off, I love to travel, experience other cultures, learn more about the world through interacting with it. What I admire about the UAE, and this region in general, is not the obvious landmarks, even though local architecture can be impressive, but the nature. I love to explore the desert – going off-road, hiking, camping, so all the outdoor activities that you can enjoy here, at least until the summer.
Music is also another passion of mine – especially during the hot, summer months when the outside world becomes somewhat less inviting.
Interview with our Chairman – Maciej Białko
Company: Polish Investment and Trade Agency
Role: Head of Foreign Trade Office in Dubai
Sector: Government / Business Consulting
In the UAE since: 2008
Emirate: Dubai
What does your company do?
Polish Investment and Trade Agency is a Polish government agency that supports Polish companies planning expansion into foreign markets. We do it through organizing national stands at trade events, providing advice and information, organizing workshops and arranging B2B meetings with potential local partners and clients. We also organize trade missions both for UAE partners wanting to visit Poland, and for the Polish companies that wish to learn more about the region.
Since I took over my role as the Head of the Foreign Trade Office in July last year, we have actively participated with Polish companies in some of the biggest international trade events in the UAE, such us GITEX, Automechanica or Big 5. Taking the leading role in the creation of the Polish Business Council in Dubai naturally aligns with our mission of supporting Polish businesses in the UAE and with our goal of increasing recognition of Polish technologies, brands and innovations on the global stage.
We are also actively pursuing partnerships with local entities – with the most recent one including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with TECOM Group in October last year.
Through our Foreign Trade Office in DIFC, we support companies from all sectors in exploring the UAE market, as well as those interested in searching for business opportunities in Qatar, Bahrain or Kuwait.
What is your vision for the Polish Business Council in Dubai?
It has long been my dream to unite the Polish businesses in the UAE and reassert our position within the local business community. Dubai Chambers, the most pro-active chamber I have ever worked with, offers a wide range of opportunities to national councils operating under its umbrella, not only in the Emirate but also in the whole MENA region and beyond, through their connections and open approach focused on expansion and cooperation.
My vision is for the Polish business community to grow together, as together we can achieve so much more! I wish for the Polish Business Council to gain visibility and to become the best performing, most vibrant group. I am convinced this can be achieved, since data shows Poland as a very strong performer over the last 20 years, recognized for quality and innovation of products and services. The UAE is the best country to showcase and promote our achievements, which is why we would like to increase our exposure to the wider international business community through networking activities, collaboration with other business-focused local entities and supporting our members in every way we can.
I have lived in the UAE for over 16 years. When I first arrived in the country, there were very few Polish companies present in the region. Over the last few years, the awareness regarding the potential of the UAE – not only as a destination market, but also as an international hub – increased dramatically. More and more Polish companies are realizing that this is the place to be, so I believe this is the perfect moment to start an initiative aimed at unifying and promoting Polish talent and business acumen in the Gulf.
How can members benefit from being part of the Council?
There are only benefits! Members can get access to many kinds of meetings and events, many of them organized by Dubai Chambers itself. Apart from that, we have access to meetings organized by around 50 other business councils. As Polish Business Council, we are going to be as active as possible in terms of providing networking opportunities – both formal ones, such as seminars or discussion panels, and informal ones to exchange ideas, make new connections, and support one another. Dubai Chambers, the body regulating and licensing the Council, is the most active and advanced Chamber in the UAE, and their support for Councils comes in many forms, including access to their facilities. One must keep in mind that Dubai Chambers is very well connected to the business community not only in the UAE, but also in Africa and Asia, especially the Indian subcontinent – it is a perfect gateway for businesses to the rest of the region and beyond. Thus, companies joining the Council can count on making connections not only in the – relatively small – UAE market, but they can gain a truly global exposure.
The Council is open for all UAE-based Polish businesses and professionals who understand the importance of networking and who are mature enough to be part of the business community – not only as a beneficiary, but also as an active contributor. Therefore, while we welcome everyone, we do not want to convert anyone by force – those who join should see the value in being a member. It is a Council for business-oriented people who understand the UAE market – with its relational business culture, heavily reliant on face-to-face interactions. People like that get exposed to people, who know other people, who know other people… It is as simple as that.
Tell us something about your life outside work.
Is there a life outside work? Haha. Outside work, my main focus is on further developing the Polish Business Council – these are early stages of the organization, and a lot of work needs to be done, so that we do not lose the momentum. I expect it will take a while before a true community is formed and members start getting involved on a regular basis.
However, when I do get some time off, I love to travel, experience other cultures, learn more about the world through interacting with it. What I admire about the UAE, and this region in general, is not the obvious landmarks, even though local architecture can be impressive, but the nature. I love to explore the desert – going off-road, hiking, camping, so all the outdoor activities that you can enjoy here, at least until the summer.
Music is also another passion of mine – especially during the hot, summer months when the outside world becomes somewhat less inviting.
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