Poland eyes PH as tech gateway to Europe
By Monsi A. Serrano
Poland is looking to give its economic relationship with the Philippines a new dimension centered on technology and innovation, with Polish President Karol Nawrocki urging businesses from both countries to turn growing interest into joint ventures, new projects, and deeper market cooperation.
Nawrocki made the call as he officially opened the 5th Poland-Philippines IT Business Summit in Manila, held during his first visit to the Philippines as president.
Polish Ambassador to the Philippines Katarzyna Wilkowiecka, in introducing Nawrocki, welcomed his presence at the summit, describing his visit as the first by a Polish president to the Philippines and noting that he had agreed to open the business gathering despite his busy schedule.
For Nawrocki, however, the summit was more than a business event. He described it as an important step toward reshaping economic relations between Warsaw and Manila at a time when both countries are seeking to build more modern, competitive economies capable of responding to rapid changes in the global environment.
“Despite the geographic distance between Warsaw and Manila, we share an important ambition to build modern, competitive economies that create opportunities for our citizens and are ready to meet the challenges of the rapidly changing global environment,” Nawrocki said.
“This is why the time has come to give our economic relationship a new dimension with technology and innovation at its center,” he added.
Poland’s transformation creates new technology opportunities
Nawrocki used Poland’s own economic transformation to illustrate the country’s growing capacity to contribute to international business and technology partnerships.
Over the past 35 years, Poland has moved from a centrally planned economy to an open and competitive economy deeply integrated into global markets and supply chains, he said.
Since joining the European Union in 2004, Poland’s economy has grown by almost 130% in real terms, while GDP per capita has increased from less than half of the EU average to more than 80%.
Poland’s GDP has now exceeded US$1.1 trillion, putting the country among the world’s 20 largest economies, Nawrocki said.
He attributed the transformation not to any single leader but to Polish workers, entrepreneurs, and professionals who helped build the country’s modern economy.
Among Poland’s key strengths are its highly educated engineers, programmers, scientists, and entrepreneurs, with capabilities spanning software, fintech, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital public services.
“These capabilities will shape the global economy in the years ahead and Poland wants to contribute its experience to this conversation,” Nawrocki said.
The emphasis on technology gives the Poland-Philippines relationship a potentially broader economic base, particularly as both countries face the need to strengthen digital capabilities and create new opportunities for businesses and workers.
Poland positions itself as EU gateway
Nawrocki also pointed to Poland’s growing international economic role and its strategic position within Europe.
He noted that Poland is participating this year in the work of the G20 following an invitation from the United States, saying Warsaw intends to contribute to discussions on the future of the global economy while working toward permanent participation in the group.
For the Philippines, however, Poland’s position inside the European Union may be even more significant from a business perspective.
Nawrocki described Poland as the largest economy in Central and Eastern Europe, and one of the key countries of the Three Seas Initiative, which brings together 13 EU member states between the Baltic, Adriatic, and Black seas.
“As an important influential economy of the EU, we are a natural gateway to the European single market for the Philippines and other partners,” he said.
That positioning opens the possibility of a two-way economic relationship: Philippine companies can explore Poland as an entry point into the European market, while Polish companies can use the Philippines as a platform for opportunities in Southeast Asia.
Polish businesses eye Philippine opportunities
Nawrocki said the Philippines itself has developed into a dynamic and increasingly important economy in Southeast Asia.
He cited the country’s young and ambitious population, strong services sector, growing digital economy and technological potential as foundations for further development.
These conditions, he said, also create opportunities for Polish companies seeking new markets and business opportunities.
The strong representation of Polish businesses at the summit, including companies that accompanied him during his visit, was a clear indication of growing interest in the Philippine market, Nawrocki said.
“I hope that both our businesses and IT communities will use this summit not only to share their know-how but also to identify opportunities for joint ventures and new projects,” he said.
The message puts practical business cooperation at the center of the summit, with the potential to move the relationship beyond traditional trade toward technology partnerships, investment and collaborative projects.
Youth at center of digital future
Nawrocki also welcomed the inclusion of a joint academy bringing together students and young innovators.
He emphasized that the younger generation will play a central role in determining the next stage of the digital economy.
“The young generation will shape the next stage of the digital economy. They will create our future,” he said.
The focus on young innovators also reflects the broader technology agenda of the summit, where developing skills, exchanging knowledge and connecting emerging talent can complement commercial cooperation between companies.
Nawrocki said Poland and the Philippines already have a strong political foundation for closer relations, creating an opportunity to build a lasting economic and public partnership between Europe and Southeast Asia.
He stressed that such a partnership should not be based on trade alone but should increasingly encompass innovation, knowledge, and technology.
His message at the summit was therefore aimed at creating a broader economic relationship in which Polish technology capabilities and European market access can intersect with the Philippines’ growing digital economy, services sector, and strategic position in Southeast Asia.
“I hope the summit will help make this ambition a reality,” Nawrocki said.
He thanked the Polish Trade and Investment Agency, the Embassy of Poland in Manila, SpyderKow, and I-Academy, as well as the organizations and individuals involved in bringing Polish and Philippine business and IT communities together.
He closed with a call for fruitful discussions, new partnerships and successful cooperation between the two countries.
“Long live Poland. Long live Philippines,” Nawrocki said.
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