On 19 February, the Diplomatic Opening of the Year (DOR) was inaugurated – one of the most important events of Polish economic diplomacy, organised for eleven years by the Polish Chamber of Commerce.
The event took place at a particularly significant moment for both the Polish and global economies – a period of dynamic transformations in global economic cooperation models and growing geopolitical uncertainty. This context fully justified this year’s theme: “The World at a Turning Point”. The event was officially opened by Andrzej Arendarski, President of the Polish Chamber of Commerce, and Marek Kłoczko, Vice-President of the Polish Chamber of Commerce.
In his opening speech, the President of the Chamber emphasised the unique character of the meeting and the role of the Diplomatic Opening of the Year, stating:
– Once again we meet to set trends and directions for Polish business. The presence of so many ambassadors and trade counsellors is the best proof that we are a unique platform.
Meanwhile, Vice-President Marek Kłoczko referred in his remarks to rapid technological changes and their impact on the future of the economy and the competitiveness of Polish enterprises.
– This is a time of great technological revolution. The previous industrial revolution reshaped the world completely, and we are convinced that the same will happen again. Those who recognise these trends will be among the winners; those who fail to recognise them, for whatever reason, will be among the losers. Our role as the Polish Chamber of Commerce is to do everything possible to ensure that Polish entrepreneurs – and Poland itself – are among the winners.
The participants were also welcomed by Adam Struzik, Marshal of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship, which was the Main Partner of DOR. Marshal Adam Struzik emphasised that the value of the Mazovian economy, reaching €215 billion, places the region in the middle range of European Union economies. He noted that this is the result of the enormous work of over 1.1 million registered entrepreneurs and 150,000 modern, high-productivity farms.
He also highlighted the strong scientific and research potential of the region – as much as 35% of the country’s research capacity is concentrated in Mazovia. It is here that some of the most prestigious universities operate, including the University of Warsaw, Warsaw University of Technology, and the Warsaw School of Economics. As he stressed, the Mazowieckie Voivodeship remains open to all initiatives that support further economic development and international cooperation.
The special guest of the event was former Prime Minister of Poland Jerzy Buzek, who in his speech referred to the new stage that Europe has now entered. He emphasised that Europe is entering a period of strengthening its defence capabilities – both through increased purchases of military equipment and decisive support for the attacked European state. He pointed out that the European Union reacted to this situation exceptionally quickly and decisively, and that in many areas its actions were faster than NATO’s response. At the same time, he stressed that the role of the European Union is not limited solely to military matters. An equally important task is to build solid foundations for Europe’s strength – a competitive, modern, and efficiently functioning economy. A strong economy, innovation, and cooperation between Member States constitute Europe’s long-term “armament” for the future.
A letter from Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz to the participants of the event was read by Lieutenant General Professor Mieczysław Bieniek. Here is an excerpt:
– The Ministry of National Defence consistently implements an extensive programme for the modernisation and expansion of the Armed Forces, planning to allocate approximately 4.8% of GDP to defence in 2026. These expenditures are not an end in themselves – they create the foundations of Poland’s security and its credibility as an ally and a stable, predictable economic partner. A strong army and a strong economy are mutually dependent, and Poland’s defence policy reflects this reality. In this context, strengthening the European and transatlantic defence industrial base becomes particularly important. Poland wishes to be an active participant in these processes – both as a recipient and as a partner capable of making a tangible contribution. The instrument we will use for this purpose is the SAFE programme, which will bring benefits to Polish and European entrepreneurs.
During the event, two exceptional discussions were also held: a regional government debate and a business debate. The first focused on international cooperation between regions and cities, as well as on building resilience in times of global instability. It was moderated by Andrzej Szumowski, Vice-President of the Polish Chamber of Commerce and Director of the KIG Office for International Cooperation. Participants included Paweł Gancarz, Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship; Adam Struzik, Marshal of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship; Łukasz Prokorym, Marshal of the Podlaskie Voivodeship; Tadeusz Truskolaski, Mayor of Białystok; and Adam Szponka, Deputy Mayor of Toruń.
The business debate focused on the international expansion of Polish companies and on building competitive advantages in global markets. It included representatives of Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, KGHM Polska Miedź S.A., Hynfra P.S.A., and SM Mlekpol. The debate was moderated by Karolina Opielewicz, Director General of the Polish Chamber of Commerce.
KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. has been developing its presence in international markets for many years. Anna Sobieraj-Kozakiewicz, Vice-President of the Management Board for Foreign Assets, spoke about the details of the strategy and the results of international investments:
– The origins of KGHM Polska Miedź S.A.’s activity in foreign markets date back to 2010–2012, when the largest acquisition in Polish history took place. KGHM acquired Quadra FNX for nearly 3 billion Canadian dollars, which at the exchange rate at the time amounted to almost PLN 9 billion. As part of the transaction, the company took over deposits as well as exploration concessions around the world. From that moment, KGHM’s presence on three continents began. We primarily acquired the Sierra Gorda mine in Chile together with nearby exploration concessions, as well as operating mines in the United States and Canada. As an organisation, we had to learn a great deal and change the way we managed our foreign assets in order to adapt to the specifics of these markets. However, it was undoubtedly a significant opportunity to diversify our sources of revenue and markets. Thanks to our international experience, we are able to secure production needs and remain among the top ten copper producers and the second-largest silver producer in the world. It was a long and demanding journey, but ultimately a successful one.
In turn, Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego supports Polish companies in their expansion and foreign investments by providing the necessary financing. This aspect was discussed by Piotr Jabłoński, Managing Director at BGK:
– For many years, BGK has supported Polish companies in their expansion, exports, and investments in foreign markets. Since last year, we have been implementing our new strategy for financing the development of Polish companies. By 2030, we intend to provide 7 billion in financing for international expansion through traditional loans and trade finance instruments, as well as – which is new – BGK equity investments carried out through our own investment vehicle, Vinci, and external investment funds. Thanks to this, Polish companies can compete more boldly on international markets, building a lasting position and strengthening the potential of the entire Polish economy.
The debates provided an opportunity to present the experiences and strategies of Polish companies and financial institutions in the field of international expansion.
This year’s edition of the Diplomatic Opening of the Year took place at a moment when the rules of global economic cooperation are being redefined and international uncertainty is increasing. In this context, dialogue on the sustainability of development models, the quality of partnerships, and the building of competitive advantages gained particular importance. Participants had the opportunity to exchange experiences and best practices that may help Polish companies operate more effectively in foreign markets. The meeting also demonstrated how important cooperation between the public and private sectors is in shaping a stable and innovative economy.
At the same time, we are proud to announce that AMBASADOR magazine was one of the media partners of DOR 2026.
Ada Krzewicka
