Polish Deputy of Mission Joanna Wasiewska, during her speech at the celebration of Poland's 100th year of National Independence on Nov. 8, says their government wants more Filipinos to know about and visit Poland. (PNA photo by Ma. Teresa Montemayor)
MANILA -- Poland is eyeing to hire more workers from the Philippines, a country executive announced Thursday.
“Poland is one of the most progressive economies in Europe but the decrease in our workforce cannot meet the needs of continuous progress in our country. We hope to attract Filipino workers, even if it’s cold there during winter but you can expect our warmest welcome,” Polish Deputy of Mission Joanna Wasiewska told reporters in Makati City.
Citing that the Philippines is a huge market that could be a window of opportunities in the ASEAN arena, Wasiewska said the Polish government wants to increase people-to-people contacts, boost tourism, promote exchanges in education and culture with the Philippine government.
“We also want to stimulate economic cooperation. The main export categories are industrial spare parts and food and we import mainly electronic products,” she added.
Wasiewska said Polish investments had been present in the Philippines since 2005 when Salamanca, a resort and tour operator, opened in Pamatican, Mindanao.
“Then, a call centre and consulting company launched by Cinnovation in Manila in 2008. New investments followed in 2014 and 2015 Information Technology-Business Process Management center by Lingaro, and factory by Grupa Pietrucha in Mariveles,” she said, adding that there is a growing number of Polish brands in the Philippine market like Belvedere, Wedel, Bell Hypoallergenic and Inglot.
Meanwhile, Baltic Container Terminal is the only investment of the Philippines in Gdynia, Northern Poland since 2003.
The diplomatic relations between Philippines and Poland were established on September 22, 1973.
“Currently, we are preparing the full operationalization of the Embassy, getting ready for the visit of our Foreign Minister at the beginning of the 2019,” she said.
Wasiewska said Poland has recently reopened its embassy in the country after 24 years of closure. It is situated at the 9th floor of Del Rosario Law Centre in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
She added they had to close their embassies in some countries including Philippines due to financial constraints. (PNA)
