The small Polish community in the UAE is poised to grow with more businesses and families expected to settle in the country, senior officials have said.
The Polish Business Council in Dubai was inaugurated at Dubai Chambers on Tuesday as part of wider efforts to strengthen ties between the two nations.
“This is of massive importance to us because it will strengthen Polish visibility in Dubai, in the UAE markets," Jakub Slawek, the Polish ambassador, told The National.
There will be more Polish people coming here, settling their business and their life
Jakub Slawek,
Poland's ambassador to the UAE
“This is a cementing of ties. My biggest wish is that this will be a driving force to getting more Polish businesses into the UAE.”
The community of about 5,000 Polish citizens after the Covid-19 pandemic has almost doubled to 9,000 now living and working in the Emirates.
Gateway to Africa
Polish software companies have the biggest presence in the UAE but the aim is to draw in other firms from the food sector to renewable energy industries.
“The trend is one of growth as the UAE is an attractive and competitive place to be in business-wise,” Mr Slawek said.
“There will be more Polish people coming here, settling their business and their life.”
The council understands the UAE’s strategic location as a gateway to Africa and the connections that open up with the more than 200 nationalities that call the Emirates their home.
“The UAE gives us this unique platform of being present here and the possibility of being present in the GCC, India and beyond,” Mr Slawek told a group of Polish businessmen later on Tuesday.
“There is not another country in the world that can offer you that.
“It’s very hard to do it from Poland or any other country in Europe but being here, we know Emirati business partners are very strong in the region, in Africa and India, and this is something for your businesses to explore.”
Poland has deepened co-operation with the UAE over the past few years.
Polish President Andrzej Duda visited the Emirates twice last year – in March and later during Cop28 to discuss further developing economic and investment co-operation.
The UAE has comprehensive economic partnership agreements with 11 countries including India, Indonesia and Turkey. These boost trade by removing barriers and simplifying customs procedures.
The Dubai Chamber, too, has about 40 business councils with countries including the US, Britain and France.
Polish-Emirati ties
Jacek Tomczak, Poland’s Deputy Minister for Development and Technology, described the UAE as the most innovative of all Arab countries and said the council would be an important platform for attracting investment on both sides.
“I deeply believe such initiatives would provide additional impetus for further development of Polish-Emirati ties," he said.
“We hope the activities of the Polish Business Council in Dubai will serve as an inspiration for initiating further joint projects for the benefit of both Emirati and Polish businesses.”
Maciej Bialko, chairman of the board of the Polish Business Council in Dubai, said a physical presence in Dubai was crucial to expand the reach of businesses.
He said patience and staying for the long haul was key.
“Polish entrepreneurs will need more understanding of doing business in a different culture,” he said.
“The UAE is a face-to face-country. This is not about just finding the right partner. They need to understand, they must plan a strategy looking ahead a minimum of three years.
“Companies will need to be present in the UAE, be patient, take small steps and establish relationships here.
“The right approach will give success.”
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What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Boulder shooting victims
• Denny Strong, 20
• Neven Stanisic, 23
• Rikki Olds, 25
• Tralona Bartkowiak, 49
• Suzanne Fountain, 59
• Teri Leiker, 51
• Eric Talley, 51
• Kevin Mahoney, 61
• Lynn Murray, 62
• Jody Waters, 65
The bio
Favourite vegetable: Broccoli
Favourite food: Seafood
Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange
Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania
Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.
Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes
Brahmastra%3A%20Part%20One%20-%20Shiva
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAyan%20Mukerji%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERanbir%20Kapoor%2C%20Alia%20Bhatt%20and%20Amitabh%20Bachchan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company Profile
Company name: NutriCal
Started: 2019
Founder: Soniya Ashar
Based: Dubai
Industry: Food Technology
Initial investment: Self-funded undisclosed amount
Future plan: Looking to raise fresh capital and expand in Saudi Arabia
Total Clients: Over 50
The specs: 2018 Renault Koleos
Price, base: From Dh77,900
Engine: 2.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 170hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 233Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.3L / 100km
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THE SPECS
Engine: 4.4-litre V8
Transmission: Automatic
Power: 530bhp
Torque: 750Nm
Price: Dh535,000
On sale: Now
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
