Minister calls for stronger Polish-Italian economic cooperation

Piechociński stressed that Poland would seek to enhance Italian investments. Piechociński said both countries can also "take advantage of their experience and cooperate economically in third markets."

He referred to the recent acquisition by Polish company Wielton of a leader in the Italian trailer market.

"Polish-Italian economic cooperation requires predictability and availability of cheap credit, support for banks and good cooperation with commercial banks and open market tenders,” the minister said.

During Piechociński’s visit, which ends on Monday, he also announced that Italian Environment Minister Gianluca Galletti, accompanied by representatives of Italian companies in the field of green technologies, will visit Poland on 5 October.

Deputy Economy Minister Arkadiusz Bąk said in turn that one good example of Polish-Italian cooperation was in the defence sector. Bąk said such cooperation also creates the opportunity to sell weapons in former Eastern bloc countries, in the Gulf States and Africa, and that Poland is a good "export window" for such production.

Italy is one Poland’s most important economic partners. In 2014 two-way trade exceeded EUR 16.2 billion. Polish exports to Italy were EUR 7.3 billion, while imports from Italy were EUR 8.9 billion.

Several large Italian companies are already in Poland, including Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, manufacturer Brembo brake systems, UniCredit, the food business Ferrero, household appliances manufacturer Indesit, producer of building materials Mapei, and manufacturer of metal for construction purposes Marcegaglia. (jh/rk)