20-05-2025
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.
