As part of BritCham EU's programme of EU Presidency delegations, senior Chamber executives and members embarked on a two-day visit to Warsaw, aligning British and Polish businesses and policymakers in anticipation of Poland’s upcoming Council Presidency. The visit provided a platform for our members to learn about Poland’s priorities, challenges, and potential areas for cooperation with the UK. We met with diverse groups of stakeholders in both public and private sectors who offered context on Poland’s geopolitical situation and insight into Poland’s agenda for the 2025 EU Presidency, including defence, industrial competitiveness, and business security.
To kick off our visit, we met with Malgorzata Kałużyńska, head of the EU Economic Department at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister. She touched on Poland’s response to the ongoing Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine and how this has underscored the importance of security in defence, migration and weaponisation of migration, energy and business. Ms Kałużyńska also pointed out the resonance of Mario Draghi’s recent report on EU competitiveness, positioning Poland as a vocal advocate for economic resilience in the face of shifting global dynamics.
Next, we received a comprehensive briefing from the Director of the Department for Innovation and Industrial Policy at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology. The tenets of Polish industrial strategy were outlined with its alignment to the EU Green Deal, aimed at fostering sustainable growth. For our BritCham members, this discussion highlighted potential avenues for UK business participation in green tech and clean energy initiatives across Poland, as well as in the rest of the EU.
The delegation also met with the British Embassy and the Ministries of Cybersecurity, Health, and Finance, and engaged in defence-focused conversations with MP Andrzej Grzyb, Chairman of the Sejm National Defence Committee, and MP Andrzej Szewiński. We discussed Poland’s defence priorities and cooperation within the EU and NATO. In another meeting, representatives from the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) gave us an industry perspective and noted potential channels for international cooperation through initiatives like the European Defence Fund.
The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine was also a theme close to the heart of our delegation. Our discussion with Myroslava Keryk, Director of Ukraine House in Warsaw, gave us an emotional testimony to the resilience of displaced Ukrainian communities and demonstrated Poland’s critical role in supporting Ukrainian refugees.
Beyond these formal meetings, the delegation enjoyed networking opportunities, including a dinner attended by Michał Obiegała, Chairman of the British Polish Chamber of Commerce (BPCC) and a dinner with executives and members of Business & Science Poland, a Trade Association representing Polish state-owned businesses in Brussels. These gatherings served as settings to identify synergies for British businesses aiming to expand their influence in Poland and share best practices as Chambers. Thanks are due to Michał Obiegała and the BPCC team for their hospitality and support.
BritCham EU extends heartfelt gratitude to all who welcomed us during our visit to Warsaw. We look forward to deepening our connections with Polish stakeholders as we approach the start of the Polish Presidency in January. This trip has set the stage for productive cooperation, and we are eager to support Poland’s leadership in shaping European policy.