The 11th of November 1918 is a very special day for Poles. After a violent 123 years of partitions and uprisings, Poland's dream of independence was realised and it again emerged as a sovereign state on November 11, 1918. With its long and rich history and traditions, Poland regained its rightful place among free and independent nations.
November 11 is celebrated as Independence Day meaning the return to the map of a sovereign European State after 123 years of foreign rule. It was the determination of the Poles to regain independence and hard work of Jozef Pilsudski, the architect and leader of Polish Legions, an esteemed politician at that time, that the Polish State was re-created and resurrected from the pages of history.
By the 16th and first half of 17th century Poland was a superpower, being Europe's largest state and one of the richest. The later decades were less happy for Poland. A Cossack revolt broke out in Ukraine and Swedish invasion brought territorial losses and economic ruin. The country lost internal stability and a central authority was often lacking.
The Polish State was wiped off Europe's map after the Third Partition in 1795. The Partitions of Poland (1772, 1793, and 1795) divided the Polish Kingdom among its three powerful neighbours, Russia, Austria, and Prussia. The opportunities for regaining independence emerged only at the end of World War I when the three conquerors were defeated.
From the end of the 18th century until World War I, the Poles were forced to live under the despotic rule of the Russian tsars and Prussian and Austrian emperors. During the First World War, the Polish territory suffered because of fighting between the heavy Russian, German, and Austrian armies. However, during World War I, Poles were gradually able to strengthen self-government at local levels and gradually established institutions, laying the groundwork for eventual independence.
INDEPENDENCE: Fully independent and transformed in 1989 by Solidarity, Poland is deeply interested to develop friendly relations with fast developing Pakistan.
PAKISTAN, AN IMPORTANT PARTNER: Pakistan is a very important partner for Poland in South East Asia. Poland and Pakistan have deep-rooted relations. Poland is deeply interested in the further development of relations with Pakistan in all fields. Pakistan and Poland established diplomatic relations on 17th of December 1962. In the same year the Embassy of Poland was established in Karachi.
It is worthy mentioning that the first official Polish delegation paid a visit to Pakistan in 1948 the first trade agreement was signed. One year later despite the lack of diplomatic relations the first Polish trade mission was established in Karachi, which later become the Polish Embassy and ever since very friendly relations have existed. In 1969 the Embassy of Pakistan was set up in Warsaw.
After the creation of Pakistan contingent Polish pilots assisted in the establishment of the Pakistani Air Force. The services of airmen led by Pakistanis Polish origin, PAF Air Commodore Wladyslaw Turowicz, along with 30 officers and technicians contributed from 1948 their services to establish Pakistan Air Force. Memorial has been erected to their services in Pakistan Air Force Museum located in Karachi.
For us Poles, Pakistan has the potential to become a major economic leader in Asia, owing to the progressive leadership of this country, which has consistent trade and economic policies that are the most favourable in the region.
Pakistan's growing economy and its strategic location as a regional hub, a principal gateway to the Central Asian Republics, a large consumer market, abundant natural resources, a talented and entrepreneurial people and a skilled and hard working labour, well established infrastructure, liberal investment and friendly policies offer enormous opportunity to foreign investors.
Poland and Pakistan have established co-operation in trade and commerce, energy and agriculture sector, chemistry, machinery, textile etc. Both countries have concluded agreements on trade co-operation, avoidance of double taxation, maritime and culture co-operation.
Poland is located in the centre of Europe. Pakistani businessmen and industrialists should also take into consideration Poland's location in the heart of Europe which provides an excellent base for Pakistan's economic expansion into European Union countries and Community of the Independent States - former Soviet Republic and into East Central European countries.
Pakistan plays an important role both in the Muslim world and in providing regional and global security and stability. Poland highly appreciates the key role of Pakistan in the global fight and anti terrorism efforts.
Pakistan is in the frontline of the international war on terrorism. We are aware of the problems Pakistan faces in its war on terrorism and acknowledge the fact, that very often the Pakistani people are victims of terrorism.
In Poland we highly appreciate Pakistan's continuity of its economic growth, fast economic development, the structural and comprehensive reforms in various sectors. Pakistan at present stands among the top 4 Asian countries.
All economic indicators point to the fact that Pakistan will sustain acceleration in the growth of 6-8% over the next 5 to 10 years. As such investors should look to Pakistan as a potential hub of economic activity in the region.
TRADE POTENTIALS: There are prospects of co-operation in tourism. Pakistan has the potential to become a tourist destination and develop a major tourist industry. It has the most beautiful part of Himalayan Mountains. Pakistan can be a great attraction for group tours, religious and cultural tours as it has a rich heritage including old mosques, Gandhara art and culture, relics at Taxila, shrines and ancient buildings.
A nine-member high-powered Polish delegation comprising experts from the oil and gas sector visited Pakistan from June 12 till 16 June 2007.Mr Krzysztof Glogowski, the President of Polish Oil and Gas Corporation, led a nine - member high-powered Polish delegation comprising experts from the oil and gas sector which visited Pakistan from June 12 till 16 June, 2007.
Poland is keen to expand with Pakistan in trade and economy, to co - operate in the fields of oil and gas, energy, infrastructure, maritime, engineering and food processing sectors as well as development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Poland can supply electricity equipment including diesel generators, railway equipment, agriculture machinery and spare parts, heavy vehicles and marine and diesel engines.
PAKISTAN POLAND TRADE: I am very glad that Polish - Pakistani relations are closer and friendlier than before. It is my earnest desire to contribute to boosting Polish-Pakistani co-operation, which helps better meet both countries' aspirations. Poland is a huge market and presents a big opportunity for Pakistani products.
I am very happy that the trade figures for the last three-year's between our two countries shows an upward tendency. In 2006 the turnover in trade was 110 million USD. Poland exported goods for 32.2 million of USD and Pakistan for 75.5 million of USD.
The balance of trade is in favour of Pakistan for 45.4 million of USD. In the first 7th month of 2007(January -July) the turn over in trade was 69.40 million USD. Poland exported goods worth 10.40 mln USD and Pakistan goods worth 59.00 mln USD. The balance of trade is in favour of Pakistan for 48.60 mln USD.
The biggest sectors in Pakistani export were textiles (cotton fabrics, cotton yarn, clothes, bedding, towels), chemical fibre, leather products, sports products vegetable products and corn (rice), plastics, toys, marble, onyx, medical and veterinary instruments (surgical, dental, pedicure, manicure instruments).
Poland exported to Pakistan machines, chemicals, cast iron and steel, wood pulp and cardboard, fertiliser, newsprint, machinery engines, rolling bearings, oil seeds, milk powder.
I am working to improve trade and economic relations, create a better environment for business community and to establish industrial units in joint ventures. I invite Pakistani businessmen to visit Poland to explore trade opportunities.
I am convinced that exchange of trade missions and delegations will also help Pakistan to diversify its exports as Poland and its location in Europe has a very vast potential for various products in this regard. Polish importers are keen to buy Pakistani products, which are of high quality.
I am doing my best to encourage the Polish Chambers of Commerce and Industry to hold seminars and workshops to educate the business communities of Pakistan and Poland about the available business opportunities in both countries. It is time both countries join hands to take the existing volume of trade to new highs and to double trade turnover in 2008. Pakistan has many products, which are interesting to Poland. We wish to increase turnover in trade between our countries.
I encourage all Pakistani businessmen to visit the Website of our Consulate. It will prove useful for businessmen. It has very good, basic information on trade and economic affairs including information on international fairs and exhibitions in Karachi and Poland. On the Polish version of our Website we present Pakistani culture, historical monuments, economic achievements and hope that it will be helpful and serve to boost trade and economic co-operation between both countries.
I am delighted to be in Karachi. Let me avail chance to describe in very few words my splendid experience that I have had in friendly, hospitable and lovely Pakistan since spring 2004. I am especially grateful to be given the chance of stressing the friendship between our countries and peoples, sharing the common goals of peace, and mutual understanding.
On behalf of the Consulate General of Poland in Karachi on this auspicious occasion I wish to extend to the Government and the friendly people of Pakistan the warmest greetings and wishes. 'Poland-Pakistan Co-operation Zindabad.'
(The writer is Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Karachi.)