Newsletter - Egyptian Polish Businessmen Association · Newsletter No. EPBA 5/6/2015 June 2015 ......
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Transcript of Newsletter - Egyptian Polish Businessmen Association · Newsletter No. EPBA 5/6/2015 June 2015 ......
June 2015
Newsletter
No. EPBA 5/6/2015
June 2015
On May 24, 2015, Andrzej Duda won the second
round of the presidential elections in Poland, beat-
ing the current President Bronislaw Komorowski,
who was seeking reelection after five years in of-
fice. Soon after the announcement of exit poll re-
sults, Bronislaw Komorowski congratulated his
opponent, wishing him a good and fruitful presi-
dency.
Andrzej Duda's victory comes as a surprise, both
on national and international level. When his can-
didacy was announced in November 2014 by
Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of right-wing Law
and Justice Party, Andrzej Duda was a relatively
unknown politician enjoying 12% recognition,
considered as a second-rank cadre of the party.
In only 6 months Duda became the most impor-
tant challenger to Mr. Komorowski, grabbing
votes outside his core electorate.
On August 6, Andrzej Duda, turning 43 this year,
will become one of the youngest leaders in the
world. He was born in Cracow, where he
completed his university degree and became
lawyer. He became engaged in politics in the 90s,
before becoming Minister in Lech Kaczynski’s
Presidential Chancellery. The new President does
not hide his conservative convictions, especially
on topics such as artificial insemination or same
sex marriage. In his entourage as well as among
his foes, he is praised for his honesty and
patriotism.
Even though Duda's victory was not important
(52% of votes), his election has already proved
to be revolutionary in Polish politics.
In fact, the elections have shown that Poles are
fed up with the Civic Platform, which has ruled
Poland since 2007.
More importantly, the first round of the presi-
dential elections showed a spectacular result of
Pawel Kukiz (20%), a popular Polish musician
without any political experience. Pawel Kukiz,
whose presidential campaign was essentially
made online, considers himself as an anti-
systemic candidate representing the frustrated
part of Polish society.
In terms of foreign policy, President Andrzej
Duda is expected to recalibrate relations with
Germany and to focus more on regional partner-
ships in Central Europe. It is likely that Poland
will put more emphasis on transatlantic alliance,
instead of relying solely on the EU. However, in
the Middle East, the Polish policy will not
change radically.
Andrzej Duda, the new President of Poland
USD 7,65
EUR 9,55
PLN 2,27
In this edition of
EPBA Newsletter
The present newsletter cov-
ers the period of May and
June 2015. May was marked
by the annual visit of EPBA
members in Poland. Our
dear readers will find at-
tached to this newsletter an
additional article summariz-
ing the trip and its meaning
to the Association. Also in
this newsletter, we are
pleased to present the
Warminsko-Mazurskie re-
gion, the forgotten province
in North-Eastern Poland.
June 2015
Electricity in Egypt: full power!
News
Source: Al-Ahram
According to El Ahram, the Egyptian cable
maker El Sewedy Electric announced its inten-
tion to develop a new solar energy power plant
located in Upper Egypt (Aswan) that would
provide 50 megawatt of energy. Earlier this
month, El Sewedy Electric said it had won a
EUR785 million share of a EUR 2 billion deal
to build a combined cycle power plant south of
Cairo, in cooperation with Siemens.
The news comes as Egypt struggles to maintain
steady power supply in order to meet growing
demand resulting from development and con-
stantly growing population. For the Egyptian
authorities, electricity remains one of the top
priorities, as their ambition is to become a ma-
jor regional player in power distribution.
During the Conference on energy held in Abu
Dhabi in January 2015, the Egyptian President
al-Sisi seized the opportunity to announce that
Egypt wanted to diversify its sources of energy.
Egypt should join the global combat against
climate change by putting a special emphasis
on developing renewable energy. In fact, Egypt
should produce 20% of clean energy by 2020.
The Egyptian authorities multiply development
projects in the energy sector. During the last
visit of the Russian President Vladimir Putin in
Egypt, both countries have agreed on tightening
cooperation in a bid to introduce nuclear power
in Egypt. In another development, the German
giant Siemens will build wind power installa-
tions, high-efficiency natural gas-fired power
plants that should add an additional 16.4 GW to
Egypt's current electrical output.
The efforts to rise and diversify electricity pro-
duction in Egypt will be tangible only in a few
years. Unfortunately, the latest terrorist attacks
on power infrastruc-
ture are an example
of challenges that
need to be faced by
the Egyptian authori-
ties.
LOT wants to develop
its activities in 2016
Source: voicesofny.org
LOT Polish Airlines Chair-
man Sebastian Mikosz an-
nounced that his company
has successfully restructured
its activities conformingly to
the EU plan. He added that
LOT will resume develop-
ment plans in 2016 by
launching new long-haul des-
tinations, e.g. Japan and
Mexico, while acquiring new
short– and medium-range
aircrafts. In parallel, the Pol-
ish Minister of Treasury has
suggested that LOT should be
privatized as soon as the
company becomes profitable.
Nile Ritz– Carlton,
Cairo
Majestic in appearance, so-
phisticated in design and
peerless in pedigree, The Nile
Ritz-Carlton Cairo marks the
return of an icon to the Egyp-
tian capital. The Nile Ritz-
Carlton, Cairo will open in
the late summer of this year.
The hotel is undergoing a
complete renovation whilst
retaining many of the original
features, reminding guests of
the cherished memories. .
The beauty and wilderness of Warmińsko-
Mazurskie region is truly astonishing for any-
body who thinks that the European continent
has been fully conquered by civilization.
Warmińsko-Mazurskie may be considered as
the gateway to the East, an introduction to lands
with endless black forests and deep lakes.
For many, this region is a perfect place for ac-
tive tourism, isolation and sailing. Its countless
lakes with thousands of islands and bays, inter-
connected by innumerable channels, are seduc-
ing the choosiest sailors. Those who do not like
water can hike in huge forests untouched by
human presence, offering complete silence and
guaranteeing splendid isolation.
For many others, this fairytale region is marked
by atrocities that occurred here only seventy
years ago. Only few months before the end of
World War II, the Red Army rushing toward
Berlin was taking his bloody revenge on Ger-
man inhabitants of this region that used to be-
long to Germany, known as Eastern Prussia.
Just after the end of the war, Warmińsko-
Mazurskie has been incorporated into new Po-
land, conformingly with decisions taken at the
Yalta conference.
Although seventy years have passed, these
events have determined the future of the region
until today. Most of the existing industrial in-
frastructure has been destroyed during the war,
just as the majority of Warmińsko-Mazurskie
cities. More importantly, due to post-war dis-
placements, with Polish settlers coming from
all over Poland, the local population has not
been able to recreate social cohesion that would
be helpful in developing the region. Instead,
Warmińsko-Mazurskie was subjected to forced
collectivization that has ruined the existing in-
frastructure.
However, in recent years Warmińsko-
Mazurskie has highly beneficiated from Po-
land’s entry into the European Union. The re-
gion is located strategically on the international
highway connecting Baltic States with the rest
of the EU. Moreover, it has received important
funding from the EU aiming at reducing ine-
qualities between European regions. Finally,
recent studies have shown that Warmińsko-
Mazurskie has a great human potential, with
high-qualified and dynamic human capital.
And, more importantly, it has the happiest
population in Poland!
Warminsko-Mazurskie, a
tale of a thousand lakes
June 2015
Polish Egyptian Cooperation
American heavy
weaponry to be
stored in Poland
In his latest declaration, the
Polish Minister of Defense
ha s s t a t e d t h a t P o l i s h
authorities were in talks
w i t h t h e i r A m e r i c a n
counterparts concerning the
plan of storing American
heavy weapons in Poland.
This decision is seen as a
m o v e b y t h e U . S . t o
r ea ssure th e i r Eas t e r n
European allies facing the
threat from Russia, in the
context o f the Ukra ine
c r i s i s . T h e R u s s i a n
Government has stated that
this move would implicate
counter-measures, such as
deploying medium-range
cruise missiles “Iskander”
in Belarus and Kaliningrad.
On April 23, the Polish Government an-
nounced the winner of the bid for delivering 50
heavy helicopters to the Polish Army. At the
end of the day, the offer of Eurocopter EC 725
“Caracal” presented by Airbus Industries for an
amount of PLN 13 bn has been chosen as the
most fitting Polish Air Forces. Thus, Airbus
beats Sikorsky’s“Black Hawk” and
AgustaWestland AW 149 that were considered
as the most probable winners.
This decision has sparked major controversy
and an outcry among political commentators.
In fact, both Sikorsky and AgustaWestland
own two major Polish aircraft factories respec-
tively in Mielec and Świdnik, where they pro-
duce the aforementioned helicopters. Before
the announcement of results, Sikorsky and
AgustaWestland had warned that choosing
“Caracal” would imply job cuts in Mielec and
in Świdnik, as well as reconsidering develop-
ment strategies in Poland. At the beginning of
June, Sikorsky announced cutting 500 jobs out
of 2200 in Mielec, as a direct result of the deci-
sion taken by the Polish Army.
Right after the announcement of the winner,
the opposition has denounced a “political deci-
sion”. According to many commentators, the
decision to choose the French helicopter was a
bargaining chip in order to convince France to
give up its contract with Russia for two mili-
tary vessels “Mistral”, even though there is no
evidence pointing at this kind of arrangement.
For the opposition, the decision was taken un-
der pressure from Berlin and Paris, trying to
weaken the transatlantic alliance between Po-
land and the U.S.. Although the Government
has denied any political factors playing in fa-
vor of Airbus, it has preferred to talk about
equilibrating alliances with E.U. countries and
the U.S.. In fact, just after the announcement of
the winning offer, Polish Army has declared its
will to buy 8 launching pads equipped with
Patriot missiles produced by the American
Raytheon, for an amount of PLN 26 bn.
Polish National Aircraft Factories (Państwowe
Zakłady Lotnicze – PZL) have a long and glo-
rious tradition. Created in 1928, the company
quickly became the European leader in build-
ing military planes and light bombers. In 1938,
PZL opened the biggest factory in Mielec
(southeastern Poland), which was considered
as the most technologically advanced in
Europe. Unfortunately, planes produced by
PZL could not compete with German war-
planes during the invasion of September 1939.
After the war, PZL was still producing planes,
under the strict supervision of the Soviet Un-
ion. Unfortunately, this meant less technologi-
cal transfer and reducing capabilities, in order
to keep Poland’s dependent from the Soviet
Union in terms of military equipment. Today,
factories in Świdnik and Mielec are producing
mainly helicopters and light aircrafts for pri-
vate users.
Source: planesspotters.net
Flying high—the Polish air industry
June 2015
The EPBA news
EPBA mission in Poland 2015
The second half of May was marked by the business trip of our members to Poland. Even though we
are sure that they will have the occasion to share their impressions personally with other EPBA
members, we would like to take the opportunity to present the main highlights of the mission.
In one week, EPBA organized two sessions of business to business meetings, during which our
members could meet directly with their Polish counterparts. Additionally, other B2B meetings were
held every day, in Warsaw and other locations.
The mission was also an opportunity for EPBA to develop further cooperation with Polish
organizations gathering businessmen interested in cooperating with Egypt. On the margins of the
PolandArabiya congress in Lodz, EPBA signed an agreement of cooperation with the Lodz Regional
Chamber of Commerce, whose aim is to promote common business opportunities.
In Warsaw, EPBA members were received at the Polish National Chamber of Commerce in
presence of deputy head Marek Kloczko, H. E. Youssef Zada, recently appointed Ambassador of the
Arab Republic of Egypt to Poland, and the representative of the Polish Ministry of Economy. The
meeting was attended by EPBA members and numerous members of the National Chamber of
Commerce. Following welcoming remarks and a brief presentation of general lines of economic
relations between Poland and Egypt, businessmen from both sides were invited to discuss in B2B
format. A similar event took place at the Business Center Club, whose representatives declared their
will to broaden cooperation with EPBA.
On Wednesday, May 20, EPBA organized a reception at the Marriott Hotel in Warsaw. The dinner
was attended by numerous business personalities and representatives of the Polish Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, who cooperate with Egypt on a regular basis. Among them was H. E. Ambassador
Youssef Zada, H.E. Ambassador Piotr Puchta, Director of the Middle Eastern department at the
Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and former Ambassador of Poland to Egypt, as well as H.E. Jan
Natkanski, former Ambassador of Poland to Egypt.
Even though this year mission was smaller than the previous one, it was not less successful. The
mission was not only an opportunity to boost direct partnership between Polish and Egyptian
businessmen, but also an occasion to broaden the EPBA network in Poland. This year, EPBA has
decided to promote membership among Polish businessmen. The possibility of being member of
EPBA sparked a broad interest, raising hopes that soon EPBA will accept first members from
Poland.
June 2015
Trade Fairs Poland
Energetab 15.09-17.09.2015
Energetab is an international power industry fair and the largest exhibition of modern
appliances, apparatus and technologies for power industry in Poland.
Warsaw Build 16.09-18.09.2015
The Warsaw Build takes place annually in Warsaw and is the most important Interna-
tional Building Materials & Equipment Exhibition in Poland.
Polagra 21.09– 21.04.2014
The Polagra Food is an international trade fair for food, which takes place once a year
in Poznan. This fair brings together producers and manufacturer with suppliers and
retailers with the aim of creating new opportunities for food manufacturers and disco-
vering market opportunities.
Trade Fairs Egypt
Sahara, 7.09-10.09.2015
Sahara is an international exhibition for agriculture and food for Africa and the Mid-
dle East and one of the longest running and best attended events in the sector.
Paper Middle East Cairo, 22.10-24.10
“Paper Middle East" will attract manufacturers, converters, distributors and traders
from all over the world to position themselves at the apex between Western and East-
ern markets.
Dear Members,
If you have any ideas or suggestions for EPBA activities, please feel
free to contact us:
PO
LA
ND