Latest news with #Duda
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Capitalise on Poland's and Singapore's hub statuses: President Tharman
SINGAPORE - Poland and Singapore are hubs in their respective regions, and more can be done to explore business opportunities between them, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on June 12. He was speaking at a state banquet held in honour of Polish President Andrzej Duda and his wife, First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda, at Goodwood Park Hotel. Mr Duda is in Singapore on a three-day state visit from June 11 to 13. Poland is Singapore's 13th largest trading partner in the European Union. In 2024, total bilateral trade in goods stood at $1.7 billion. Bilateral trade in both goods and services has grown by almost 50 per cent since 2019, off the back of the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. 'There is much more we can do to capitalise on each other's roles as hubs within our respective regions,' Mr Tharman said. He noted Poland's position as one of Europe's most dynamic logistics hubs, given its strategic location between Western and Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and the Balkans. 'Equally, a combination of brain power, hard work and entrepreneurship has made Poland one of the fastest-growing economies over the last quarter-century,' he said, adding that Singapore companies are starting to recognise this potential. He cited the example of port operator PSA International making a landmark investment in 2019 to jointly acquire 100 per cent in DCT Gdansk – the largest container terminal in Poland and the Baltic Sea region, and the company's first investment in Eastern Europe. Polish companies are already using the Republic as a springboard to the broader Asia-Pacific region, he added. 'We welcome them to explore opportunities in Singapore in areas like logistics, advanced manufacturing and offshore wind.' Mr Tharman also spoke of collaboration in areas such as food exports to Singapore, saying these represent a business opportunity for Polish producers and allow Singapore to diversify its supplies and 'enjoy a taste of Poland'. Poland has been approved as a source of beef, poultry and eggs by the Singapore Food Agency. He added that the countries' relations are 'anchored by strong people-to-people ties', noting that three Singapore universities have signed student exchange agreements with six Polish institutions. Mr Duda said Singapore has long been a key regional partner for Poland and a 'symbol of modernity, bold thinking and determination in action'. 'We admire Singapore's consistency in striving for excellence – in the economy, in education and in building a society based on the principles of tolerance, responsibility and discipline,' he added. 'Your success proves that the greatness of a country is not measured by its size, but by the wisdom of its people and the strength of its values.' Mr Tharman quoted a Polish saying that translates to 'grain by grain, the measure will be filled', meaning that a meaningful relationship will be built, step by step. He said: 'That epitomises the way we bring about our strategic relationship and the way we're going about our partnership as two countries. Your visit underlines our commitment to set higher ambitions for our partnership now and into the future.' After a visit to technology and engineering group ST Engineering earlier in the day on June 12, Mr Duda received a ceremonial welcome at Parliament House and made a courtesy call on Mr Tharman. Both presidents discussed the significant potential growth in ties between Singapore and Poland, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in a statement. The discussion revolved around port and logistics development, agri-food exports to Singapore, as well as sustainable energy, digital trade, research and development, and education. The leaders also encouraged businesses to explore investment opportunities in each other's countries, and discussed global geopolitical and security developments. Mr Duda and First Lady Kornhauser-Duda also visited the National Orchid Garden on June 12, where a new orchid hybrid was named in their honour. On June 13, Mr Duda will meet Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and attend the Singapore-Poland Business Forum. The forum is jointly organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, and the Singapore Business Federation. This is Mr Duda's first visit to the Republic since taking office in 2015. His second five-year term as president concludes in August. A new Polish president is set to take office in early August, after historian Karol Nawrocki won the Polish presidential election on June 2. Anjali Raguraman is a correspondent at The Straits Times. She covers politics, as well as consumer stories spanning tourism, retail and F&B. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
Straits Times
13-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Leaders of Singapore, Poland call for strengthened partnership
PM Lawrence Wong with Polish President Andrzej Duda, who was on a three-day state visit to Singapore from June 11 to 13. PHOTO: MDDI SINGAPORE - Amidst a more challenging trade and geopolitical environment, Singapore looks forward to strengthening its partnership with Poland and for the two countries to work more closely together, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on June 13. In a Facebook post following his meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda, PM Wong said Poland is an important partner for the Republic in Central and Eastern Europe, and that the two countries have growing trade, investment and people-to-people ties. 'But there's still tremendous potential for us to do more together,' PM Wong said, adding that he and Mr Duda had discussed strengthening cooperation in areas such as port development, food security and logistics. Mr Duda was on a three-day state visit to Singapore from June 11 to 13 - the first visit by a Polish head of state to the Republic in more than 20 years. At a business forum earlier on June 13, Mr Duda said his visit to the Republic reflects Poland's political will to bring the two countries closer. 'The world has entered a new phase of global economic relations, a time where diversification, resilience and trusted partnerships will define success,' he said to business leaders gathered at the Shangri-La Hotel. 'The Poland-Singapore partnership can be part of that new global architecture.' Potential areas for collaboration include advanced manufacturing, food products, logistics and trade facilitation, said Mr Duda. He also called for 'digital bridges' to be built between both sides in areas such as cyber security, artificial intelligence, e-commerce and blockchain, and for closer cooperation in defence and dual-use technologies. This sentiment was mirrored by Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu, who also spoke at the forum, which was jointly organised by Poland's embassy in Singapore, the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, and the Singapore Business Federation. 'As we face a volatile trade and geopolitical environment, it is especially important for like-minded partners such as Singapore and Poland to exchange perspectives and create opportunities for mutual growth,' said Ms Fu. She suggested two ways in which countries can achieve economic success despite these turbulent times. The first was to build a robust architecture of economic agreements, which would further strengthen the global rules-based trading system, and give businesses greater clarity and certainty. She cited the signing of the European Union-Singapore Digital Trade Agreement in May, which will allow businesses on both sides to transact online more seamlessly and give them greater confidence to build partnerships across borders. She also welcomed the Polish government's ongoing efforts to ratify the EU-Singapore Investment Protection Agreement, which will provide companies greater certainty on the treatment of their investments and offer them more robust investment protections when it comes into force. Secondly, countries should leverage on complementary strengths and needs to build new partnerships. For instance, Poland is known for its strong agriculture and food processing sector, and the Singapore Food Agency's approval for the country to be a source of frozen poultry earlier in 2025 presents new opportunities for Polish exporters and Singaporean importers, noted Ms Fu. On the digital front, Poland has a large fintech and e-commerce sector looking to incorporate technology such as AI, analytics, and integrated payments, and Singapore's robust digital infrastructure and innovativeness means its companies are well-placed to provide such solutions, she added. Poland is Singapore's 13th largest trading partner in the European Union (EU). Since the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA) came into force in 2019, trade in goods between the two countries has grown by 50 per cent, reaching a high of nearly $1.7 billion in 2024. Trade in services has likewise increased by 50 per cent, reaching nearly $700 million in 2023. Ms Fu noted that there are currently 170 Polish companies operating in Singapore, including technology firms such as Lingaro, CShark, and RTB House who have their regional offices here. 'I look forward to welcoming more Polish businesses to tap on our networks and capabilities to seize opportunities in Singapore and the region,' she said. 'Amidst a more turbulent global environment, Singapore remains a reliable partner for companies looking to diversify and strengthen their resilience.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
CNA
13-06-2025
- Politics
- CNA
China is a superpower with potential impact on Russia: Polish president
Polish President Andrzej Duda tells CNA in an exclusive interview that China's superpower status enables it to be a stabilising factor in the Russia-Ukraine war.
CNA
13-06-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Poland following Middle East situation with calm: Polish president
CNA's Yasmin Jonkers speaks to Polish President Andrzej Duda in an exclusive interview. He calls for cool heads and a multilateral approach to managing the escalating tensions in the Middle East.
New Straits Times
11-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Polish President Andrzej Duda concludes official visit to Malaysia
SEPANG: Polish President Andrzej Duda departed for Singapore today after concluding a three-day official visit to Malaysia, his first to the country since assuming office in August 2015. A red-carpet farewell ceremony was held for Duda at the Bunga Raya Complex, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), featuring a guard of honour mounted by 28 officers and personnel from the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment, led by Capt Mohd Masrur Hidayat Masri. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Polish Ambassador to Malaysia Krzysztof Dobrowolski were in attendance. The special aircraft carrying Duda, his wife Agata Kornhauser-Duda, and his delegation, took off at 5.10pm. In a joint statement yesterday, Malaysia and Poland agreed to strengthen defence cooperation, including exploring long-term procurement opportunities and strategic engagement between their respective defence ministries. During the visit, Duda and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also held extensive discussions on deepening collaboration in defence among other key sectors such as food technology, digital technology, renewable energy and the halal industry. Anwar also welcomed the encouraging 19.5 per cent year-on-year growth in bilateral trade between 2023 and 2024, calling it a clear reflection of the deepening economic partnership between the two countries. He also conveyed Malaysia's sincere appreciation to Poland for extending humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, particularly through its support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and the provision of emergency relief. In addition to the Gaza issue, the two leaders also discussed broader global and regional developments, including Malaysia's experience within Asean, ties with China and the country's engagement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Duda's visit coincided with a significant juncture, as Malaysia assumes the Asean Chairmanship in 2025, while Poland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the same period. In 2024, Poland was Malaysia's eighth-largest trading partner among European Union member states, with total bilateral trade rising by 19.5 per cent to RM5.66 billion compared to 2023. Malaysia's major exports to Poland include electrical and electronic products, rubber products and machinery, while key imports from Poland consist of machinery, equipment and parts, electrical and electronic products, and transport equipment.
