„Go India” is a Polish response to a programme „Make in India”, announced by prime minister Modi’s government. We want to take advantage of synergy and complementarity between our countries – said deputy prime minister Janusz Piechociński while opening a discussion on Polish-Indian relations during the European Economic Congress in Katowice. – Both nations are characterised by entrepreneurial mood and openness towards innovations – summed up dr Małgorzata Bonikowska, who was moderating the debate.

Ajay Bisaria, Indian Ambassador to Poland, Lucyna Jaremczuk, specialist from Ministry for Economy, J.J. Singh, president of Indo-Polish Chamber of Commerce, Ryszard Sznajder, president of Polish-Indian Chamber of Commerce, Amit Lath, Sharda Europe managing partner, Vijay Mehta, president of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Monika Piątkowska, deputy president of Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency, Rohid Sharma, director at FICCI and Beata Stoczyńska, deputy director of Asia and Pacific Department at Ministry of Foreign Affairs were among the participants of the debate.

There is a good climate in India nowadays for the acceleration of negotiations of free trade agreement with EU, which have been under way for nearly 8 years – stresses ambassador Bisaria. Polish-Indian trade turnover amounts to 2,2 billion USD. In reality, many more Polish products are sold in India, however, they are not included into export statistics, because they are hidden under western brands – observed Amit Lath, CEO from Sharda Group, a textile tycoon from Pabianice. The company has been present in Poland for 16 years already, serving the whole European market. – Both governmental programmes create splendid opportunities for the intensification of cooperation between Polish and Indian businessmen. That’s why we should „go and make in India”, that is, do business in India as well as produce there – noticed J.J. Singh.

Ryszard Sznajder drew attention to the necessity to rebuild Polish position onto Indian market, which used to be very strong at the time of the Polish People Republic, but came down in the 90s. According to Vijay Mehta, cooperation between entrepreneurs from the two countries has been deepening, but visa barriers, insufficient information, as well as lack of direct flights between Delhi and Warsaw still remain problems to be solved. FICCI representative offered information assistance and invited to the second India – Central and Eastern Europe Congress held on 13-14 October in Delhi.

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