Polish economy minister on visit to Azerbaijan
23 Noyabr 2010 23:33 (UTC+04:00)
Deputy PM and Economy Minister Waldemar Pawlak is to embark on a two-day visit to Azerbaijan today in an effort to improve trade relations between the two countries. As SIA report Pawlak is to meet with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, PM Artur Rasizade as well as industry, energy, economic development and foreign ministers. The visit also coincides with the 4th Poland-Azerbaijan International Committee on Economic Co-operation.
A delegation of Polish industrialists joins the deputy PM on his mission, comprising representatives from the oil, energy, finance, as well as the food and agriculture sectors. The delegation also includes a representative of the Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK - National Holdings Bank), Poland’s only state-owned bank.
"This visit is another step to promote Polish business in the Caucasus region," deputy head of the BGK, Jerzy Kurella told the Polish Press Agency, adding that the visit "will hopefully raise the activity of Polish companies in Azerbaijan."
According to figures from the economy ministry, perspectives of co-operation are present in the construction sector, as well as in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, food production, the furniture industry, as well as the supply of machinery for the refining industry.
Between January and June 2009, collective turnover between the two countries amounted to 38.1 million US dollars. Polish exports to Azerbaijan were worth 35.8 million US dollars, while imports to Poland amounted to 2.26 million US dollars. Azerbaijani imports to Poland mainly consist of hazelnuts, propylene and cotton.