Polish Development Fund eyes stronger ties with Qatar
Ashraf Siddiqui
Doha
Qatar's economic transformation and commitment to sustainable development continue to attract international partners, Plotr Matczak, CEO of Poland Development Fund including the Polish Development Fund (PFR), has said.
Matczak emphasised the significance of deepening economic cooperation between Poland and Qatar, highlighting that bilateral trade has surged by 80 percent over the past five years, reaching approximately $1.3 billion in 2023.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune on the sidelines of Qatar Economic Forum 2025 on Tuesday, Matczak noted that his visit was focused on exploring new areas of collaboration—particularly in infrastructure, technology, and renewable energy.
He also aimed to showcase Poland's investment potential and the PFR Group's international initiatives, while reinforcing ties with Qatari institutions that date back to 1989.
Poland is advancing initiatives in energy, security, cybersecurity, and innovation. The recent launch of the Deep Tech Fund, which supports dual-use technologies, demonstrates Poland's growing ambition to become a key European player in the innovation sector.
Matczak underlined PFR's commitment to supporting Qatar's National Vision 2030 by guiding Polish enterprises to contribute to the development of a modern, sustainable society.
Qatar Economic Forum, powered by Bloomberg, served as an excellent platform for the Polish delegation to engage with global investors and discuss strategic topics like energy transition, infrastructure development, and emerging technologies, he said.
He praised the high calibre of discussions and emphasised that the themes closely align with economic priorities shared by Poland and the Gulf region.
He added that participation in the Forum aligns with PFR's mission to support Poland's sustainable economic growth, encourage international expansion of Polish companies, and foster cooperation with foreign partners.
With $20 billion in assets under management and investments in over 1,000 companies, PFR is one of Central and Eastern Europe's largest institutional investors, playing a vital role in scaling innovation and SME development, Matczak said.
He also highlighted several potential areas for collaboration between Polish and Qatari institutions, stressing that energy, especially LNG and renewable infrastructure such as offshore wind and hydrogen, presents promising opportunities for Qatari investment.
He also pointed to Poland's vibrant tech ecosystem and QSTP's support for over 300 Qatari startups, suggesting scope for joint ventures and co-financing arrangements.
Encouraging Qatari investors to consider Poland, Matczak underscored the country's strategic location in the EU, highly educated workforce, and flexible regulatory environment due to its independent currency.
Poland's economy is forecast to grow over three percent in 2025 and 2026, and its stock market has outperformed peers, with the WIG index rising over 40 percent in 2025 alone.
He added that Poland's political stability, EU and NATO membership, and strong the US ties—underscored by the presence of key American military assets—make it a secure destination for foreign investment with approximately 38 Polish companies already operate in Qatar, with support from institutions like the Polish Investment and Trade Agency.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar, Canada host meetings of G7 Middle East and North Africa Directors, Arab-International Quintet Committee
DOHA; The State of Qatar, in partnership with Canada, hosted the meetings of the G7 Middle East and North Africa Directors and the Arab-International Quintet Committee, which convened in Doha on Wednesday as part of the preparatory track for the upcoming G7 Summit slated for mid-June in Canada. Advisor to the Prime Minister and the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari, headed the Qatari side at the meetings, while the Canadian side was headed by HE Assistant Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Europe, the Arctic, and the Middle East at Global Affairs Canada, Alexandre Leveque. Undersecretary for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr Saud bin Mohammed Al Sati; Director of the American Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, Dr Alsaghira Wabran Alahbabi; Director of the Private Office and Director of the Negotiations Coordination Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Adi Khair; Deputy Assistant Foreign Minister in the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Tarek Tayel; Ambassador of the United States of America to the State of Qatar, HE Timmy T Davis; Joint Head of the Near East Department at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom, Dr Christian Dennys-McClure; Director of the Middle East Department at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, Romaric Roignot, Deputy Director General for Political and Security Affairs and Principal Director for the Mediterranean and the Middle East at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic, Maurizio Greganti; Special Envoy to Syria and Director for Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq at the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, Stefan Schneck; Deputy Director-General of the Middle East and Africa Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Hirofumi Miyake, and Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the European External Action Service of the European Union, Helene Le Gal, participated in the meeting. Deliberations throughout the meetings tackled the key issues in the Middle East region.
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
QA, leading Qatari banks sign QR4.5 bn financing deal
Tribune News Network Doha For the first time in 28 years, Qatar Airways (QA) has signed a landmark agreement with leading local Qatari banks led by QNB to provide QR4.5 billion in strategic financing. The financing will be provided by domestic banks in Qatar. The syndication was fully underwritten and led by QNB Group as the sole and exclusive Book Runner, Global Coordinator, Initial Mandated Lead Arranger and Structuring Bank, while the lending banks include Ahlibank, Commercial Bank, Doha Bank, Dukhan Bank, QIB, and QIIB. This new agreement will see an innovative approach taken whereby local banks lend in Qatari Riyals in both conventional and Islamic tranches and commercial terms in line with international benchmarks for a strategic financing transaction of this nature. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Engr Badr Mohammed Al Meer said, 'Qatar Airways' latest purpose-driven partnership demonstrates our trust in the operational excellence of the Qatari banking sector. We are honoured to collaborate with the leading banks of Qatar as we continue to further our commitment to fulfilling the Qatar National Vision 2030. We thank the financial institutions that have played a vital role in shaping our journey, offering support that has helped us reach new millstones. We believe such strong and resilient partnerships remain essential for driving industry innovation and expanding global connectivity.' QNB Group Chief Executive Officer Abdulla Mubarak Al Khalifa said, 'We are pleased to have been selected by Qatar Airways for this prominent role. This appointment underscores QNB's expertise in structuring complex financing solutions and its commitment to supporting the growth objectives of our clients and supporting Qatar National Vision 2030.' As Qatar Airways continues its ambitious fleet and network growth strategy, it remains firmly committed to supporting local institutions, enhancing economic development, and contributing to national prosperity. With this agreement, the national carrier also aims to stimulate greater collaboration between the aviation and the banking sector, paving the way for innovative financial structures tailored to the airline's evolving needs while promoting national economic resilience.
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
QIA, Msheireb Properties sign deal for sustainable urban development
QNA Doha Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Msheireb Properties have signed a strategic partnership to accelerate the expansion of sustainable urban projects in Qatar. Under the agreement, QIA will become a strategic shareholder in Msheireb Properties, joining Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, which retains its majority stake of 51 percent. QIA has acquired a 49 percent stake in Msheireb Properties, underlining its confidence in the company's pioneering approach and integrated model for developing sustainable and human-centric smart cities. The partnership aims to fast-track innovative, human-centric real estate initiatives aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the country's drive for economic diversification and environmental sustainability. It also aligns with QIA's mandate to support the development of a competitive Qatari economy and support the advancement of Qatar's Third National Development Strategy (NDS3). The collaboration opens new avenues for Msheireb Properties to expand its award-winning model, following the success of Msheireb Downtown Doha, the first fully redeveloped and sustainable city district in the world. The partnership reinforces Qatar's ambition to lead as a global hub for sustainable evelopment, especially in light of international efforts to reduce emissions and achieve carbon neutrality. As cities worldwide race to reduce emissions, this Qatari-backed partnership signals a bold move to lead the booming smart cities sector, with sustainability at its core.
