Polish-Japanese economic cooperation in three dimensions

Japan is the third economy of the world, and a strategic partner of Poland in Asia. Japanese investors still are still vital in the Polish economy, whereas Polish companies have doubled their export to Japan – from 270 mln EUR in 2008 to 566 mln EUR in 2018. On January 21st, the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) will be hosting a series of business sessions between 20 Polish companies, and 25 Japanese corporations, with the aim to further strengthen the flourishing partnership in three key aspects: direct investment, innovation in energy and large infrastructure projects.

The mission of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency is not only to empower Polish business abroad, but also to strengthen our economies position on the global stage. A crucial aspect of the Agency’s operations is supporting the development of the economic relations between Poland and its key international partners. To that end, PAIH will be organizing a series of business sessions for Polish and Japanese companies, so that they may broaden their cooperation in three vital aspects: direct investment, energy and infrastructure - explains Grażyna Ciurzyńska, Acting President of PAIH.

Investment with potential

In addition to Americans and Germans, the Japanese are among the key foreign investors in Poland. In over 300 companies, they created nearly 40,000 jobs, of which 18 thousand with the support of PAIH (formerly PAIiIZ). Japanese companies have been investing their capital mainly in the automotive, food and electronics sectors. However, in recent years, they have also invested in the development of the Polish e-mobility industry.

- Japanese investors are involved in investment projects in Poland that are much more technologically advanced than a decade ago. The attractiveness of the Polish market is primarily driven by a dynamic business environment, including increasing sector innovation and higher return on investment than the average in Europe. Japanese capital also appreciates the offer of investment incentives, well-tailored to investors' expectations - says the head of PAIH Grażyna Ciurzyńska.

She adds that the Agency will encourage Japanese companies to engage in both traditional sectors, but also in areas of new opportunities in which Poland has competitive advantages - including business services, smart-cities or e-mobility.

Innovative energy

E-mobility as well as clean coal and hydrogen technologies will be at the heart of the energy session talks. It is worth noting that at the beginning of 2019 in Warsaw, representatives of the Ministry of Energy and the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in the area of Clean Coal Technologies (CTW). The agreement is to set the framework for Polish-Japanese cooperation and support in the context of developing and promoting clean coal technologies, in particular coal gasification. In the autumn of 2019, the second Polish-Japanese ministerial meeting on hydrogen energy was held in Tokyo.

- Technologically advanced gasification and clean coal projects successfully developed in Japan are a model for Polish companies to be used on the local market. Due to the high development and implementation of these technologies in Japan, cooperation in the field of hydrogen technologies has a great deal - says Ewa Małocha, Office Head, PAIH Tokyo Office.

Strategic infrastructure projects

The PAIH expert also points out that meetings in Tokyo are also a great opportunity to establish cooperation with Japanese industry organizations, design companies, construction contractors, leaders in the development of advanced technologies in the transport industry.

- An important purpose of the visit is to explore the possibilities of establishing cooperation in the field of infrastructure projects under the construction of the Solidarity Transport Hub Poland. On the other hand, the dynamic development of Polish imports and exports using sea transport creates a need for the expansion of port infrastructure. In both these areas, Japan can become a strategic partner for Poland - emphasizes Ewa Małocha.

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The Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) works to promote Poland and the Polish economy. It strengthens the recognition of Polish brands on international markets, promotes native products and services, and Polish technological thought. It helps entrepreneurs in choosing the optimal expansion path abroad. It also supports direct investments of Polish and foreign companies - an important element of sustainable socio-economic development of Poland.