As part of the 34th Economic Forum in Karpacz, the British Polish Chamber of Commerce (BPCC) organised a closed expert meeting entitled Strategic Alliance: The Potential of Polish-British Economic Cooperation. The event, conducted in a roundtable format, brought together representatives from business, public administration, and academia, creating a space for in-depth debate on the future of Polish-UK relations.
The meeting was chaired by Dr Marcin Cichy, managing director of BPCC, with British American Tobacco and BP Polska as content partners. The discussion was preceded by the presentation of the report The Potential of Polish-British Economic Cooperation, which provides a comprehensive analysis of trade, investment, and prospects for cooperation in key sectors of the economy.
Poland and the UK – natural partners
The data presented shows that the UK remains one of Poland’s most important trading partners. In 2023, it ranked fourth as an export market for Polish goods and third as a recipient of services. The total value of UK foreign direct investment in Poland exceeded 91.4 billion złotys, representing an increase of over 100% compared to 2018. More than 1,400 companies with British capital operate in Poland, employing over 113,000 people. At the same time, Polish companies are increasingly active investors in the UK. This growing interdependence highlights the need for a strategic approach to further cooperation.
Course of the discussion
The roundtable discussion was substantive in nature. Participants – representatives of business, public administration, and academia – focused on the challenges and opportunities facing the Polish-British economic partnership.
Topics that dominated the debate included:
- Energy transition and the need to secure stable financing for green energy investments
- Defence and energy security amid geopolitical instability and the war in Ukraine
- The labour market and migration policy, including the role of refugees and challenges related to workforce shortages
- Digitalisation and Industry 4.0, which determine global competitiveness
- infrastructure projects and industrial consortia where Poland and the UK can complement each other’s competencies
- Academic and educational cooperation as a foundation for innovation and knowledge exchange
Economist Prof Eliza Przeździecka from the Warsaw School of Economics emphasised the broader context of cooperation: “Polish-British cooperation goes beyond traditional trade exchange. In the face of the war in Ukraine and global geopolitical tensions, joint action in energy security, migration, and refugee integration into the labour market is of particular importance. Poland and the UK can become leaders in creating solutions that combine economic and social aspects.”
The importance of a stable legal and institutional environment was highlighted by Dr Konrad Dobrowolski, legal counsel at Bank Pekao S.A.: “The financial market requires predictable legal and tax frameworks to support large infrastructure and transformation projects. Polish-British dialogue in this area is essential if we want to enhance the competitiveness and economic security of the region.”
Bartosz Krzemiński, senior economic analyst at Polityka Insight, stressed the need for pragmatism: “We need clear and measurable goals, not just strategies on paper. Poland and the UK have the potential to act together in digitalisation, innovation, and energy transition, but concrete decisions and their consistent implementation are key.”
The educational dimension and the role of human capital were addressed by Dr Jacek Lewandowski, Director of Coventry University Wrocław: “Without investment in education and digital skills, it is impossible to build a competitive advantage. Joint academic-business programmes, combining research with practical economic experience, are needed. In this area, Polish-British cooperation has enormous potential.”
The significance of long-term foreign investment was also emphasised by Magdalena Mariankowska, Business Development Manager at the British Embassy in Warsaw:
“Poland remains one of the key markets for British investors. Our goal is to create conditions that encourage companies to invest here for the long term – not only in infrastructure, but also in human capital and innovation.”
The business perspective was voiced by Michał Obiegała, CEO of BP Polska, who recalled the importance of international cooperation for energy transition: “Energy transition cannot succeed without international collaboration, and the Polish-British economic alliance can serve as an example for other European countries. Therefore, it is crucial that business and administration work together with a long-term perspective.”
The discussion was based on the exchange of experiences. On one hand, participants emphasised the importance of regulatory stability and institutional cooperation; on the other, they highlighted the need for concrete, practical actions in areas such as energy, digitalisation, education, and innovation. As a result, the meeting became not only a forum for exchanging opinions but also an impetus for shaping an agenda for further action in the Polish-British economic partnership.
Recommendations and next steps
During the discussion, participants pointed out the need for:
- Simplifying legislative processes and increasing regulatory stability
- Supporting the development of innovation and start-ups through financial instruments and academic-business cooperation
- Intensifying cooperation in energy and defence security
- Developing joint educational and research programmes that combine the experience of Polish and British universities
Significance of the event
The meeting in Karpacz took place in a unique context – at a time when Europe faces the challenges of energy, digital, and defence transformation. Both Poland and the UK recognise the need to deepen cooperation in order to meet global competition while strengthening regional security.
“Dialogue among leaders from business, administration, and academia is the best way to develop lasting and effective solutions. The BPCC serves as a bridge connecting these three environments and supports the development of strategic economic alliances,” concluded Dr Cichy.
