Success at the transport seminar in London05.06.2007 Facts and figures do not lie. Last year, the turnover in trade between Poland and the United Kingdom reached approx. PLN 38 billion, which gives a 72% year-on-year growth as compared with 2005. Among the UK's business partners, we have already outstripped the traditionally related countries such as India, Australia and South Africa. Since Great Britain is an island country, a significant bulk of our trade exchange is effected by sea. Therefore the seminar "Maritime Transport Links between Poland and the United Kingdom", which was organized at the Polish Embassy in London, raised tremendous interest among the Polish maritime businesses and the British companies alike. The far-reaching significance recognized by the Polish side in the expansion of business relations with Great Britain was emphasized by the presence of Minister of Maritime Economy - Rafal Wiechecki. Presentations of their accomplishments and development plans were delivered by the seaports of Gdansk, Gdynia and Szczecin-Swinoujscie, as well as by Euro Africa Shipping Lines. The turnout of the Gdansk team was of particular strength as, apart from the Port of Gdansk Authority SA, representatives of the Deepwater Container Terminal and Port of Gdansk Cargo Logistics made their individual presentations. Colin Chanter and Derek Peters of DCT arrived in London literally two days prior to the launch of the terminal and to the loading of the first container carrier. - We have built a new piece of Poland, proudly said CEO Chanter as he was presenting slides showing that in the place where only two years before waves had splashed against the sandy beaches, the biggest container terminal in the south of the Baltic Sea was provided. Marek Frackowski, CEO of Port of Gdansk Cargo Logistics presented a businesslike offer. The Company, which at the moment is owned by the Port of Gdansk Authority SA in 98%, is getting ready for privatization. The parties interested in the purchase of shares also include British companies. The development perspectives of the Gdansk port, not only related to the above-mentioned ventures, but also including improvements in the road and rail infrastructure around the port, were outlined by Krzysztof Urbas, Director of PGA SA Development Division. The construction of the A1 Motorway and the completion of the Kwiatkowski Route were highlighted as factors conducive to the development of the Port of Gdynia by Jan Lewko, Marketing Manager at the Port of Gdynia Authority SA. On behalf of the British side, the seminar attracted a hundred or so participants representing major transportation companies, shipowners and businesses associated with the Polish-British Chamber of Commerce.
Dariusz Szreter
"Dziennik Baltycki" Daily |
