Partners in progress

IN today's world, a country's global position is commonly perceived through its economic power - and here Poland's fast GDP growth speaks for itself. Over the last 30 years, the size of the Polish economy has almost tripled in an uninterrupted expansion averaging over 4 per cent per annum.

This pace was slowed over the past year by the Covid-19 pandemic, as was the case with many other countries all over the world, but our sturdy economic foundations have allowed us to withstand the global economic distress.

Currently, we boast the European Union's (EU) lowest unemployment rate and, in 2020, our economic decline was among the least severe in the EU.

During the sweeping economic transformation of the past three decades, we have also achieved our strategic political goals: North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) and EU membership.

Now, Polish diplomacy is focused on enlarging and strengthening our presence in Asia. As the Indo-Pacific assumes a much more prominent role in the world, we are determined to re-orient our political and economic efforts towards this region.

We believe there is significant unexploited potential in our relations with the Asean countries, particularly in the economic field. Our current annual trade turnover of nearly US$10 billion with Asean is something we would like to top in coming years. Such expansion is clearly feasible.

Despite the unprecedented turmoil in the global economy caused by Covid-19, trade between Poland and the Asean member states has continued to increase.

Promising numbers

The numbers look promising in bilateral trade between Poland and Singapore as well. Only last year, our total trade grew by 6 per cent year-on-year, with exports to Singapore increasing by 8.5 per cent and imports rising by 4.6 per cent.

That's a solid base for the future, and in my capacity as Under-Secretary of State for Asia, I will work strenuously to encourage Polish companies to tap into that potential by paying more attention to Asian - and especially South-east Asian - markets.

That's also the reason why, as one of the EU's largest members, we are actively helping shape the community's strategy towards the Indo-Pacific region.

Our commitment to intensifying the dialogue with South-east Asian partners is based on a firm belief in the geopolitical and economic significance of this region, also with regard to trade and technology cooperation. Working together will be even easier, thanks to the EU-Asean strategic partnership established in December 2020.

With the above in mind, I can boldly affirm that we see Singapore as Poland's key partner in South-east Asia. Our bilateral ties and cooperation are firmly rooted, reinforced by a common belief and interest in preserving the international rules-based order and multilateral diplomacy.

In the past few years we have observed, with sadness, growing political and economic tensions around the world. Poland, like Singapore, would prefer to see more dialogue and cooperation instead. We want an international order based on widely recognised values and principles.

This order, built over the years on freedom of trade, freedom of market access, and freedom of navigation, and developed globally through the activities and experience of numerous international organisations, is one which, in our opinion, should and will continue to thrive.

The past year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was certainly not an easy one. It posed unexpected challenges to those who conducted international politics and diplomacy.

Yet because this time is so extraordinary, it also provides a rare chance for political decision-makers to re-evaluate international issues.

I am confident that the upcoming World Economic Forum in Singapore will offer an exceptional opportunity to reflect on the best ways to plan and secure a better, fairer and more sustainable environment for the post-pandemic world and future generations.

Poland has actively engaged in that debate and will contribute to the solution.

One of the best ways to make post-Covid economic recovery even more effective is to broaden our horizons and seek closer cooperation in areas such as science and technology.

I am convinced that Poland and Singapore, given the competitiveness and complementarity of our two economies, including in high-tech, are a perfect match to explore such opportunities.

I hope that with this publication we will encourage entrepreneurs from our countries to work together and make their own, invaluable contributions to Poland's and Singapore's economic recovery in the post-pandemic era.