The meeting brought together Polish and Spanish officials as well as representatives of sectors in which the most dynamic development in mutual relations has been noticed including: the finance sector, construction and infrastructure, environment protection, metallurgy and medical services.
During the opening ceremony Juan Lazcano, Vice President of the Spanish Confederation of Employers CEOE said: “We appreciate the efforts of the new Polish government led by the Prime Minister Donald Tusk, to create good conditions for cooperation between our countries in the atmosphere of business and innovativeness. We consider Poland to be our fundamental economic partner, mainly in the fields of construction and infrastructure. We would like Poland to carry out the tax reform as soon as possible, to increase investments in infrastructure, broaden the scope of the Public-Private Partnership and privatize the energy sector.”
The energy sector seems to be one of the most significant elements seen by both sides as the direction in which Polish-Spanish cooperation should develop. Silvia Iranzo, the Undersecretary of State at the Spanish Ministry of Trade, highlighted the fact that Spain is one of the biggest producers of renewable energy. Polish Minister of the Economy Waldemar Pawlak said: “Thinking in terms of future Polish-Spanish cooperation it is crucial to launch collaboration in the energy sector. Poland has a very strong position, as most of our energy comes from coal. We also have access to a sea which enables us to import oil. However, currently investments in new renewable energies and bio-fuels are the most important. In December a UN conference on environment protection will be held in Poznan. We wish to initiate a global agreement on climate protection. We see Spain as our key partner and I hope we will sign official agreements”.
Official representatives of both countries seem to think along the same lines also in terms of other possibilities opened by cooperation. Paweł Wojciechowski, President of the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency encouraged Spanish entrepreneurs to enter eastern markets through Poland. Silvia Iranzo said Spain, the biggest investor in South America, is to facilitate Polish companies finding their way to that market. She added: “We see Poland as a country with great potential and highly-qualified labor force. But we also wish to see Poland as a country with business-friendly law regulations and making good use of EU funds”.
The forum was officially opened by His Highness Prince of Asturias.