December 2009

AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the Ireland Poland Business Association took place on Thursday, December 10th in the Grand Canal Hotel, Dublin. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Association’s Patrons, members, Council Members, and Honorary President of the IPBA, HE Dr. Tadeusz Szumowski, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Ireland.

Chairman - Seamus McCaffrey

Chairman of the IPBA, Seamus McCaffrey, welcomed everyone to the Association’s 6th AGM.   2009 has been a challenging year for the Association, as it has been undoubtedly for many of the members. While the Irish economy suffered in 2009, Poland’s economy is still very buoyant and economic reports indicate that Poland will continue to enjoy positive growth through 2010 and remain an attractive investment destination for our members. He thanked the Embassy for their continious support throughout the year and all of the Council members for their tremendous commitment. He also thanked the Construction Industry Federation for inviting us to present to their members in October. Working in association with other trade organisations has proven to be a very effective model and one which the Association will adopt in 2010 with other sectors e.g Software & Tourism.

Our focus in 2010 is to:

  • Increase the sectoral and geographical spread of members
  • Increase membership by increasing the number of sectors
  • Continue to arrange interesting events
  • Concentrate on Exporting and Importing opportunities and organise an event focussed on this area
  • Continue to work very closely with the Polish Embassy in Dublin
  • Improve links to other CEE business focused associations and possibly arrange joint activities
  • further enhance the quality and relevance of the information available to members on our website
  • Undertake some charitable activity

He proceeded to welcome the new members of the Council for 2010:

  • Mr Jacek Jedruszak. Embassy of the Republic of Poland
  • Ms. Suzanne Hill, Handel Export Consulting

    He also thanked outgoing Council Members, who have given generously of their time and energy:

  • Dr. Tony Lenehan, Fáilte Ireland
  • Mr. Liam Horgan, AIB
  • Mr. Philip Singleton, Enterprise Ireland
  • Mr. Jerzy Bartosik, Embassy of the Republic of Poland

    Download Chairmans Address 2009 (Members Only)

Honorary President- HE Dr. Tadeusz Szumowski

In his address to the AGM, Dr. Szumowski thanked Seamus McCaffrey, Chairman, John Power, Company Secretary, Tess Byrne and the Council for their great achievements in 2009. He also thanked the Members and the Patrons for their continued support of the IPBA. 
2009 has not been an easy year in Poland and although not experiencing a crisis, it has seen a slowdown in growth, production and increased unemployment. We all need to work together to get through these challenging times.  He and is staff will continue to work closely with the IPBA in their efforts to improve and grow the Association. He is already working on a series of articles for publication in Ireland and in Poland. Approximately, 300 Polish companies are now operating in Ireland. Although many are small, they are also extremely energetic and the IPBA will look at a way to incorporate these companies into the Association in some capacity. His office is currently endeavouring to compile a list of these companies and also a list of Irish companies now operating in Poland.  He sees 2010 as being a much better year on the economic front than 2009 and although Ireland and Poland did not qualify for the World Cup in South Africa, he still dreams of a Poland v Ireland Final in the European Championships taking place in Poland and the Ukraine in 2012.  Poland continues to prepare for this championship and anyone who has visited the country recently will see the work that is being done, particularly in the area of infrastructure. While 2009 has not been a good year in particular for the Construction Industry in Ireland, great opportunities still exist in Poland in this sector. 2009 has not been a very active year, politically speaking, between the two countries with the exception of a state visit by Michael Martin in June to discuss the EU and the Lisbon Treaty Referendum. Dr. Szumowski congratulated the Irish people on the ratification of the Treaty.
Approximately, 250,000 Poles still reside in Ireland with newcomers arriving daily. Planes in both directions continue to be full to capacity which is an important factor for both of our economies. In 2008, a quarter of a billion euros was transferred through the banking system by Poles from Ireland to Poland, which of course is of huge benefit to the Polish economy.

The AGM was followed by the IPBA Christmas Lunch where the Association was delighted to be joined by Tom Parlon of the Construction Industry Federation, Matt English of Special Olympics Ireland and Guest Speaker, Tom Galvin, author of “There’s an egg in my Soup” and other adventures of an Irishman in Poland

AGM 2009 Photos December 2009

AGM 2009 Photos January 2009

AGM 2008 Photos

AGM 2007 Photos


• Download the latest AIB Economic Bulletin for Poland or click here to view historical documents.
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Annual Corporate Membership Fee: €300.00

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Annual Individual Membership Fee: €200.00

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The Ireland Poland Business Association (IPBA) is a well established bilateral trade association whose main objective is to promote trade and business relations between Ireland and Poland.