The Dubai Chamber receives the President of Poland

The delegation was headed by the Minister of Finance, H.E A. Raczko, and the President of the Polish Chamber of Commerce, H.E Andrzej Arendarski.

"Our total exports worldwide reached $40 billion, although exports to the Middle East only reached $100 million. Our main market has always been Eastern Europe, where 75% of our exports go, and Germany alone occupies 30% of that total" commented Mr. Raczko. He added "We would now like to change these statistics, as we aim to increase our exports to this region to reach $1 billion by 2005".

The Finance Minister explained that this is the main objective of this visit to the region, which has already included the Kingdom of Saudi, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar will follow Dubai. The President of the Polish Chamber praised the fast paced developments Dubai has witnessed, and assured that the Polish business community is aware of the vast business and investment opportunities Dubai has. "We realize that penetrating Dubai's markets will provide us access to the whole region, especially to Iraq where many Polish businesses have vested interests", said Mr. Arendarski.

"Dubai has been the focal point for anyone interested in the re-construction of Iraq, as it represents a vital base," commented the President of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, H.E Obaid Humaid Al Tayer who welcomed the delegation along with a number of Board members from the chamber, as well as the Director General and the Deputy Director General of DCCI.

Mr. Al Tayer explained that Dubai trades with 186 countries worldwide, and that growth in total trade has been 18-20% from year to year, but that they are aiming for a 25% on last year's figures to achieve a total of $20 billion for 2004.

He added that its vital for Polish businesses to increase their presence in Dubai, and promoting the products and services as well as investment projects available in Poland, by participating in the many large scale international exhibitions and trade fairs which take place in Dubai on an annual basis.

From his side, the Polish Finance Minister mentioned that Poland will be joining the European Union in May this year, and that Polish consumers will represent 20% of the European Market consumers, making Poland a window to the single European Market. He called on the business community in Dubai to explore the opportunities available in Poland, in order to develop and strengthen bilateral trade and commercial cooperation between the two sides.

Mr. Al Tayer thanked his guests for this initiative, and he offered the full support of the Dubai Chamber to any Polish businessmen wishing to establish links in Dubai.

Following the meeting with the Polish delegation, the President of Poland, H.E Aleksander Kwasniewski attended a luncheon held in the Chamber in his honor. At this function, he expressed admiration and respect for the role the UAE plays in the region as a stabilizing force. "We should do everything we can to develop our relations. We should also take advantage of the door which was opened in 1989 when our two countries established diplomatic relations, and when in the early 1990's we signed an agreement on the avoidance of taxation and the protection of mutual investment".

The president also explained the reasons for the weakened relations, where some flights from Poland to the UAE were cancelled, and the closure of the commercial centre in Dubai. "This was due to a savings campaign carried out in our country and a mis-estimation on our behalf." He reaffirmed what Mr. Al Tayer said about an increased Polish presence in Dubai, assuring that Polish businessmen will be participating in more promotional events taking place in Dubai in order to strengthen their ties with the region.