Every year, Davos in Switzerland turns from a ski resort into a place for discussions about the future of the world economy and geopolitics. However, only a select few are allowed to attend the actual World Economic Forum (WEF) – these are leading politicians and heads of the world's largest companies. Some of the proceedings take place behind closed doors and are not broadcast.
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However, the Davos summit is a much broader event than the Forum itself – in fact, the entire town becomes a meeting place for the powerful of this world. Service points along the main promenade turn into pavilions of the world's largest companies, global media and countries and organizations wanting to show themselves. And this is mainly where Polish business is present. Over the last few years, it has mainly been about state-owned companies. However, this is changing and private companies are also becoming more and more visible in Davos.
Polish business seen from Davos
The business here talks about Polish economic success – there is probably no discussion in which local entrepreneurs do not mention indicators that impress foreign guests.
Since 1989, Poland's GDP per capita has increased more than sevenfold. Today, Poland ranks twentieth in the world and fifth in the European Union – a result that places us at the forefront of European growth.
“Others will not decide for us”
— We are in Davos because it is here that those who decide on the directions of world development meet. This is where global decisions about economic development and technology are made. If we are not there, others decide for us, says Katarzyna Dubno, director of external relations, ESG and health economics at Adamed Pharma.
The company is one of the partners of Leaders Forum Powered by Poland – a pavilion created by the Center for International Relations. The place where Finance Minister Andrzej Domański spoke yesterday, and where President Karol Nawrocki is to visit tomorrow.
— These are not conversations between Poles and Poles, but an exchange of opinions with top world leaders. This is a clear signal that Poland is entering the league of countries that organize a global conversation, and not just participate in it – assures Dubno. Together with Adamed, the main partners of Leaders Forum are Autopay and Żabka.
The Polish model can scale internationally — this is the main news with which the store tycoon controlled by the international fund CVC comes to Switzerland. Żabka looks internationally – it recently entered Romania and wants to develop this activity.
It may come as some surprise that this year in Davos you can see… two Polish pavilions. This year, the Leaders Forum is one of two Polish initiatives along the promenade. The second is the Polish Business Hub, whose agenda includes a number of Polish companies and personalities, including: Sebastian Kluczyk, or former president Andrzej Duda.
Technology from Poland
Polish technology companies also have quite a broad representation in Davos. They are looking for contractors, promotional paths, and at the same time they want to keep their finger on the pulse – this is where the largest technological tycoons have their say.
For example, Autopay promotes its instant payments, and the president of Comarch, Jarosław Mikos, is expected to take part in the Bloomberg debate entitled “Trust and Accountability in the Next Era of AI”.
— Comarch's presence at the World Economic Forum focuses mainly on discussions on the development of artificial intelligence. Jarosław Mikos will participate in talks with the CEOs of the largest global companies on the practical use of AI and the level of its implementation in their organizations – says Anna Szybist, communications director at Comarch.
Orlen with a message to the world
For Orlen, whose representatives have been present at the event for years, this year's Davos was an opportunity to present its strategy and investment priorities to the international environment.
The main goal is to increase recognition on the global market, establish new business relationships and conduct a series of meetings with representatives of the largest companies in the world.
President Ireneusz Fąfara described the diversification strategy in a debate at the Wall Street Journal House. He outlined four pillars – extraction, i.e. nine billion cubic meters of gas from Poland, Norway, Canada, Libya and Pakistan), refining – seven refineries in Poland and Lithuania processing 700,000. barrels per day, approximately 400 million tons per year, energy (powered by renewable energy and the distribution network) and consumer products (3.5 thousand stations in seven countries serving ten million customers).
“40 percent of our crude oil comes from Saudi Arabia. This is a big change,” emphasized Orlen's president, pointing out that the supply strategy reflects adaptation to the geopolitical reality.
This year, the Płock company focused on the strategic role of the Baltic Sea in terms of regional security and business.
In his speech, the head of Orlen emphasized that the Polish sea is a great place to develop the potential of wind energy, and at the same time it should be a field for strengthening international energy connections.
Port Polska debuts in Davos
Switzerland became a kind of debut for the Port of Poland, which is to replace the Central Communication Port. Filip Czernicki, the company's president, who is present in Switzerland, emphasizes in an interview with Business Insider that the presence here is a form of building recognition of the communication hub being built in Poland. He adds that in Davos, in addition to panel discussions and media activity, the agenda includes several meetings with potential business partners.
From Davos Grzegorz Kowalczyk, journalist of Business Insider Polska
