POLAND I 2015

Poland KT CONNECT

special report | noVeMBer 11, 2015

Economically steady, naturally fascinating

Untapped potential in the heart of eUrope Bio fireplaces Cosmo

PolISH ExPorTS Hold ATTrAcTIvE InvESTMEnT SPEcIAlITIES AlongSIdE qUAlITy crAFTSMAnSHIP

Poland is one of the best-kept secrets in Europe. The country is one of the highest potential growth markets and is a great place not just for business but also for tourism.

Polish design

Food industry

Poland is entering the first league of industrial design, competing with big European players. For several years, Polish designers and their products have been enjoying increasing popularity. They have won global public opinion by creating beautiful, innovative and functional furniture, jewellery, packaging and household goods, among others.

Poland is the fourth European manufacturer of furniture, where almost 90 per cent of its total production is exported. Moreover, Poland is one of the world’s biggest exporters of upholstery furniture for living and dining rooms.

Fruits, dairy products, frozen food, flour, cereals, pasta, confectionary and Polish (Halal) meat are known to consumers around the world. Made in Poland stands for high quality, excellent taste and competitive prices. Polish agriculture, largely based on family and organic farms, combines tradition with modernity. In Poland, farms use only low levels of mineral fertilisers and plant protection products, so the natural environment and landscape are not adversely affected.

In addition to this, the machinery used in the food industry in Poland is among the most technologically advanced in Europe. As a result, Polish food products are tasty and healthy.

IT sector The Polish IT sector is one of the fastest growing and future-oriented segments of the Polish economy. Highly qualified, educated and reliable IT specialists are capable of delivering high quality products and developing bright, creative and innovative ideas. The cuttingedge production processes, access to specialists and technically advanced solutions make Polish IT sector very popular among foreign investors accounting for 70 per cent of its shares. The availability of EU and state funds up to 2020 ensures continuous and stable growth in this field.

Medical tourism Poland is becoming increasingly popular as a medical tourism destination due to the high quality of services and relatively low prices. Savings from the difference in costs of medical procedures between Poland and Western countries is significant, amounting to 60 per cent for the majority of surgical procedures, including aesthetic medicine and plastic surgery. It attracts patients not only from Europe, but also from all over the world. Medical services in Poland are provided at the highest European standards, which are confirmed by certificates issued by international organisations and, more importantly, the achievements of Polish medicine.

Trade and Investment Promotion Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Abu Dhabi Al Maryah Island, Al Maqam Tower 35th Floor, Office 3520, Tel: +971 2 418 7542 and (49) e-mail: abudhabi@trade.gov.pl | Web: https://uae.trade.gov.pl/en/

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Strong cooperation in strategic areas Klaudia Lach, First Counsellor, Head of Political, Economic and Consular Division (as Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Republic of Poland) shares her thoughts on bilateral relations Suchitra Steven Samuel

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n the Middle East, the UAE is a strategic political and economic partner of the Republic of Poland. Last year Poland celebrated 25 years of Polish-Emirati diplomatic relations and both countries stressed on their commitment to the development of mutual relations.

In June this year Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum visited Warsaw on a two-day visit and discussed bilateral relations with the President Bronisław Komorowski (who first visited the UAE in December 2013) and President-Elect Andrzej Duda (who commenced his term on August 6, 2015).

According to Lach, Shaikh Mohammed praised the democratic and urban development in Poland. The visit highlighted the importance of the economic relations, among them UAE investments in Poland as well as cooperation in defence and security. Now, Poland is looking forward to the visit of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in 2016.

Bilateral trade ties The UAE remains Poland's top trade

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His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, with Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski in Warsaw this year. — AFP partner in the Gulf and the Middle East.

The trade turnover between the two countries increased by 50 per cent compared to 2013 from $865 million to $1.3 billion in 2014. It tripled in five years and shows future growth potential. Polish exports to the UAE are much higher than imports — last year exports amounted to $1.1 billion. Recently the trade has been growing in the agricultural sector and Polish food exports have been steadily increasing. Polish apples and sweets continue to be of great interest. In 2014 the major export products from Poland included telephones ($666 million), cocoa butter ($18.5 million), automatic data processing machines ($16.2 million), refrigerator-freezers ($15.2 million) and sugar syrups ($15.1million).

Joint initiatives The UAE and the European Union have signed a reciprocal bilateral short-stay visa waiver agreement exempting UAE citizens from the Schengen visa, making it the first Arab country to receive such a visa waiver for its nationals. Since May 7 this year, UAE citizens who hold diplomatic, special, service and ordinary passports have been able to travel without a visa to EU countries, which make up the Schengen area for stays of up to 90 days (within any 180-day period of one year).

The UAE exempted Polish citizens (and other EU citizens) from requiring a pre-entry visa since March 22, 2014. These decisions, as well as direct flights between Warsaw and Dubai, launched successfully

Editor: Rohit Saran Supplements Editor: Suchitra Steven Samuel Sub-Editor: Sadiq Shaban Reporters: Farhana Chowdhury, Suneeti Ahuja-Kohli Designers: Mohammad Ejaz Khan, Sidharthan Imaging: Venugopal Prabhu Director Advertising: Haroon Qureshi Senior Advertising Manager (Supplements): Philip Smith

Dubai HeaD Office: P.O. Box 11243, Tel: +971 4 3383535, Fax: +971 4 3383345/46, E-mail: supplements@khaleejtimes.com abu DHabi: P.O. Box 3082, Tel: +971 2 6337666, Fax: +971 2 6351122, E-mail: ktimesad@eim.ae Website: www.khaleejtimes.com A Publication of GALADARI PRINTING & PUBLIShING LLC

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KHALEEJ TIMES | SPECIAL REPORT | NOVEMBER 11, 2015 KHALEEJ TIMES | SPECIAL REPORT | NOVEMBER 11, 2015

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POL AND UAE is also keen on cooperation in the area of higher education and business partnerships at the level of SMEs, for UAE youth and Polish entrepreneurs. Other areas of economic exchange are stimulated by the agreements between the two governments, which include cooperation in tourism and a letter of intent on cooperation in agriculture and food safety.

by Emirates in February 2013, encourages business people contribute to bilateral trade and promote tourism.

During Shaikh Mohammed’s visit to Warsaw, both countries concluded a number of joint agreements on cooperation in areas of agriculture and food safety, small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), tourism, and higher education and scientific research.

Sectors for investment in Poland

Education Polish universities are opening up to the world and have enormous potential. They offer foreign students high quality of teaching, attractive courses conducted in English and competitive cost of studying.

The Ministry of Science has been consistently working on enhancing internationalisation of Polish universities.

As part of a new programme called 'Universities of the Future', Polish colleges will receive EUR 75 million to cover financial cost of international accreditation, bring lecturers from abroad and conduct classes in foreign languages. Last year, the Ministry launched the Arabic language version of the www.go-poland.pl website.

Areas of co-operation Poland’s bilateral cooperation is conducive to the convergence of priorities and views on international issues. The nation works intensely on new directions and opportunities for better cooperation in strategic areas such as military cooperation, security and defence, infrastructure projects as well in the context of EXPO 2020, renewable energies, science and culture, food security and food industry and processing industry, and in the context of the expansion of the UAE-tourist cooperation.

Shaikh Mohammed’s visit to Poland in June 2015 was significant to strengthen the economic relations between the two countries. They debated on ways to upgrade the joint economic cooperation in all fields and explore the potential of both countries to strengthen cooperation in major sectors, especially in areas of infrastructure, trade, industry, renewable energy, agriculture, SME projects and innovation. The visit was closed with the signing of Polish-UAE agreements, among them an agreement on cooperation in tourism, a memorandum on higher education and scientific research, a letter of intent on cooperation in agriculture and food safety, and a memorandum on cooperation in innovation and small and medium-sized enterprises.

Outlook for trade Polish industrial growth remained strong in the European bloc, which saw low or even

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Klaudia Lach

Emirati entities can find potential investment opportunities in infrastructure, manufacturing of construction materials, travel and tourism.

zero growth in many other countries. The nomination of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to the post of European Council President reflects Poland’s standing in Europe.

Lach says that Poland can be sure about a bright future ahead for trade relations with the UAE. Over the past few years, Polish companies have understood the potential of cooperation with UAE-based companies and they can benefit from the government’s programmes aimed at promoting manufacturers from specific sectors: medical equipment, cosmetics and beauty products, automotive industry, foodstuff, and furniture. Moreover, the UAE being a strategic Polish partner allows re-export of products to other Arab and African countries. The polish businesses are showcased through international exhibitions across the UAE. Daily flight connection between Dubai and Warsaw has already proven as a vital logistic incentive for passengers and cargo.

Poland’s Emirati partners find potential investment opportunities in infrastructure, manufacturing of construction materials, travel and tourism in Poland. Moreover, the

KHALEEJ TIMES | SPECIAL REPORT | NOVEMBER 11, 2015

Emirati entities can find potential investment opportunities in infrastructure, manufacturing of construction materials, travel and tourism. The Emiratis are keen to benefit from Poland’s industrial know-how, apart from investing in its petrochemicals, healthcare, food security and renewable energy sectors. The UAE businesses can benefit from Poland’s technological expertise in the area of bio-technology, information and communication technology or ICT. The mutual cooperation can be boosted through civil engineering, healthcare and agro-food sectors. With the UAE and GCC seeking food security, there could be scope for cooperation in agriculture trade.

Polish apples and other farm produce can tap demand in the UAE owing to their great quality — as concluded by Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri at the UAE-Poland Business Forum.

Incentives provided for investors Poland welcomes foreign investors. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy said during his visit in the UAE in April 2015: “We are highly ranked in this regard due to very low investment risk. Our attractiveness can be attributed to a large domestic market, a competitive and well educated human capital, political and economic stability, as well as the membership in the European Union." There are many investment incentives for foreign investors such as: governmental grants provided on the basis of programme for supporting investments of major importance to the Polish economy for years 2011-2020, Special Economic Zone (SEZ), industrial and technology parks and investment incentives in municipalities comprising real estate tax exemption.

Foreign investors can benefit from special tax exemptions and other facilities in one of the 14 SEZs in Poland. SEZ is part of Polish territory, which is administered separately, allocated for the running of businesses on preferential terms. SEZ is a place, which is subject to special treatment and tax exemptions where an entrepreneur can establish a business on a specially prepared site and run it without paying income tax.

— suchitra@khaleejtimes.com

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Bio fireplaces Cosmo Designer wall panels

Bio fireplaces The company also offers exclusive ecofriendly bespoke fireplaces, which allow maximum fire expression. The ergonomic design makes the fireplaces fully automatic.

These are clean, do not produce any scents, and work as a perfect solution for heating. The beautiful pieces of utility are crafted to serve as a part of decoration and complement the most luxurious décor to very neat and modern.

Which is why these are used in private apartments, hotels, offices on the planes and yachts. Bio fireplaces have been awarded Eco Friendly Brand by LOVTER Biofireplaces.

Looking for the best of Polish products?

Bormer International, a leading international manufacturers’ hub, offers an incredible mix of products that are a notch high in style, design and efficiency Bormer International, a leading international manufacturers’ hub for innovative products, offers varied choice of products that have won accolades for their astuteness in design features and utility. Here are a few popular products that Polish companies have to offer: Glass products A glass company from Poland, which was launched in 1989, is now one of the best in the industry. It offers a wide range of unique and great quality products, which includes handmade glass washbasins that perfectly complement various elements of interior fixture and fittings. The company also manufactures glass mosaics that can be used in the bathrooms, spas for saunas, swimming pools and in the public buildings. Its latest line of products include brand new and signature glass bathtubs that have been awarded Design + at ISH trade fairs in Frankfurt, Germany. All products are made of the highest quality glass using eco-friendly material.

Glass Spa Tables Raptor is the table of the future: a perfect combination of contemporary art, useful piece of furniture and ecology. Inspired by biomechanics, its body is made of recycled aluminium, glass and HPL. Its design encapsulates both the precision of technology and the luxury of appearance. The table is

Raptor furniture

highly customisable and its final look conforms to the customer specifications, thanks to the convertible body and tabletop.

It is nominated for the Aluminum Award in Industrial Design and Engineering category.

You can find Raptor in the collection of Milano Temporary Museum For Design.

Bio fireplaces Flut

Premium fuel Bionlov® Premium fuel has been developed by Swiss specialists to guarantee efficiency and quality of the highest standard. Bionlov ® Premium is among the leading names in the European market for bio-°©-fireplaces.

The only products of combustion are water vapour and carbon dioxide, both in safe quantities, comparable with those produced while breathing normally. This makes the fuel ideal for healthy, ecological heating. Whether you need heat, or just a beautiful and soothing look of dancing flames, this is a perfect choice. The safety of Bionlov® Premium fuel has been certified by the National Institute of Public Health PZH. Concrete material GFRC concrete is a universal material. Its versatile usage makes it a preferred material in enormous buildings elevations as well as fragile and delicate small architecture.

The delicate form gives a powerful look of concrete, which gives designers a huge spectrum of possibilities. No wonder why its creators say, “you name it, and we build it”.

The company’s specialists can bring to life almost every design.

Innovation concrete-panels BetoneAir KHALEEJ TIMES | SPECIAL REPORT | NOVEMBER 11, 2015

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PolAnD: onE of EuRoPE’S best-kept secrets

Thriving sectors make Poland an ideal destination for investments and lucrative returns. Excerpts from an interview with Dr Sebastian Tomasz Stepnicki, Counsellor — Head of Trade and Investment Promotion Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Abu Dhabi Farhana Chowdhury

Describe the present investment climate in Poland.

Our new economic system is only 25 years old, and we’ve grown constantly during that time.

As we catch up with our European neighbours, our economy is expected to grow sustainably in the next 25 years. Poland is one of few places in the world with positive GDP growth.

It is a stable and attractive business destination. According to the European Attractiveness Survey 2014, Poland is the most attractive country for investment in Central and Eastern Europe (Doing Business 2015 rank: 32).

For a number of years, Poland has been attracting companies whose core businesses include electronics, BPO and R&D domestic appliances, metal, biotechnology, machinery and IT sectors, driven essentially by international software companies. Polish economy is especially friendly to sectors involved in those areas where Poland has already had, or stands a good chance of achieving, strategic success on the international stage.

Tell us about the investment opportunities.

Poland is an increasingly attractive destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). We offer an excellent entry point for global companies looking to access the single EU market.

There are many greenfield and brownfield investments in the following areas: • Automotive • Aviation

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Dr Sebastian Tomasz Stepnick • Business Process Outsourcing/Shared Services (BPO/SSC).

• Electronic equipment • Renewable resources.

• Food • Household appliances • IT Which specific sectors do you want foreigners to invest in? What is the scope in these areas?

Poland is the largest magnet for FDI in Central

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Europe. Our rapidly developing domestic market is an attractive feature and the country is increasingly being targeted as a trade hub for the region. Large companies think very carefully where to place strategic investment.

IBM, Volkswagen, LG, Procter&Gamble, France Telecom, Siemens, Cadbury Amazon and Sharp have all expanded their activity in Poland recently.

Personally, I would go for two groups of investments. Firstly, Business Process Offshoring (BPO), aviation, automotive, electronics and IT industries, as well as food processing are considered to be the most favourable sectors for investment in Poland.

We offer a supportive investment climate, an excellent location at the centre of Europe and well-educated specialists.

Secondly, Eco-Farming that is on the other end of the economic spectrum and far from the industrial parks. There are farms producing high-quality natural foods. Farmers realise there is a growing demand for bio-products and are seeking the relevant certifications.

Foreign importers, for their part, correctly conclude from the taste of milk or fruit produced on small farms in ecologically clean regions of Poland that the quality is very high.

What percentage of equity can a foreign business firm hold in a Polish industry?

There are no limitations by law – so in principle 100 per cent. However there are limitations in particular sectors where some companies

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wish to limit the foreign equity share — like banking or strategic power companies.

Between 2004-2013, the following sectors were most popular among investors: industrial manufacturing, information technology, media and communications, healthcare and retailing.

In addition, Poland creates perfect conditions for private equity investors, offering: • Access to an absorbent market, responsible for over a third of the entire Central and Eastern Europe market.

• One of the fastest-growing EU economies, attracting investors and strategic players from around the world.

• The best developed capital market in Central and Eastern Europe.

• A stable, modern and competitive banking sector, enabling easy access to debt financing for deals.

• Fast and stable growth of consumption, giving robust growth prospects to many industries.

• Entrepreneurial spirit deeply rooted in the country’s culture and a high number of managers with international experience.

• Full legal and economic integration with the EU, guaranteeing safe operating conditions for investors (procedures and regulations in line with international standards, a system ensuring protection of investors’ rights).

What is the scope for Emirati companies to invest in Poland’s power, manufacturing and infrastructure sectors?

The UAE is Poland's important trading partner, not solely in the Middle East, but also globally. I am particularly pleased to find the value of our bilateral trade to have tripled over the last five years, reaching the level of $1.3 billion in 2014.

Nevertheless, I am convinced that in the coming years, these figures will further increase. We have a lot to offer each other. Poland is highly ranked in this regard due to very low investment risk. Our attractiveness can be attributed to a large domestic market, a competitive and well-educated human capital, political and economic stability, as well as the membership

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in the European Union. On the other hand, we appreciate the high rates of economic growth of the UAE and we are fully aware of the high economic potential of your country.

Thanks to its strategic location in the centre of Europe, Poland is an attractive place for manufacturers to nearshore operations and also to progressively compete for cost-effective, value-added manufacturing supported by a highly skilled workforce.

Polish Automotive sector ranks second in terms of manufacturing output and is a solid backbone of the country’s economy. Thanks to flexibility and creativity of Polish workers, healthy cost structures and strong demand for vehicles and parts manufactured in Poland, the industry has emerged from the turbulent times almost intact. It is worth to know that every sixth zloty (polish currency) in Polish export is generated by the automotive sector. Out of 40 car and engine plants located in Central Eastern Europe (CEE), 16 are based in Poland.

The country is also seen as the largest construction site in Europe due to its rapidly expanding public infrastructure network of roads, airports, seaports and railway, which have massively improved accessibility. The rapidly expanding Polish motorway network and infrastructure developments continue to strengthen the logistics potential of Poland as a central hub within Europe. These advantages, linked with the highly skilled workforce and favourably moderate labour costs, alongside the availability of investment grants and incentives (particularly in Special Economic Zones), make Poland an attractive, business friendly location.

The development of the renewable energy sector is one of the priorities for the Polish government. The specific objectives of the Polish energy policy are to increase the proportion of energy from renewable sources in final energy consumption up to 15.5 per cent in 2020. Achieving these objectives require investments in new generation capacities.

Wind energy and the use of biomass for energy purposes are currently the most dynamically developing renewables.

Therefore, Poland is gradually becoming an attractive destination for such investments. It is estimated that more than 200 production companies work for the renewable energy

KHALEEJ TIMES | SPECIAL REPORT | NOVEMBER 11, 2015

sector. This market offers profits especially for those who are already deeply involved in the development of their projects, and in the future it will be most attractive to those with favourable distribution network access or investors who are able to minimise costs through the large scale of investments.

What are the major investment policies?

Poland is expected to receive €73 billion from EU over the coming years, and while not all of it will be spent on building or modernising new roads, a fair chunk will go into carrying out much needed infrastructure investments. To get the ball rolling, the government authorities announced tenders for the construction of segments of seven new expressways across the country, and spending on new expressways until the end of 2018 is expected to reach as much as PLN 32.1 billion.

Furthermore, tenders for the construction of 11 belt roads are to be announced in due course, with PLN 4.7 billion earmarked for the purpose soon.

Moreover, the governmental grants are provided on the basis of programmes for supporting investments of major importance to the Polish economy up to 2020: • Special Economic Zone (SEZ) • Industrial and technology parks • Investment incentives How is the regulatory environment?

Poland went up in all possible rankings. Firstly, because the country enjoys an uncommon and a very attractive economic stability and secondly, because of one of the most unique Polish values — human capital quality — we are the leader in Central and Eastern Europe in terms of the level of optimism.

Stable and dynamic economic growth, sensible business decisions and wise management of public finance became strongly associated with our country. Poland is a trustworthy and reliable partner for international business and its exceptional business and investment opportunities attract investors from Western Europe as well as from other parts of the world, such as the

US, Gulf and Asia.

According to the Economic Freedom Act of July 2, 2004, foreign persons from the EU may undertake and run business on the basis of the same rules applicable to polish entrepreneurs. As a general rule other foreign persons have the right, unless international agreements state otherwise, to undertake and run business activity only in the following forms: limited partnership, limited joint-stock partnership, limited liability company and joint-stock company.

Foreign persons have also the right to enter these kind of partnerships or companies and purchase their shares.

Furthermore, foreign entrepreneurs may run business activity in the form of a branch office, and also set up representative offices in the territory of Poland.

What makes us so attractive is the combination of the efficiency of our capitalintensive production requiring highly-qualified personnel and the cost competitiveness of our physical labour.

What is the Trade and Investment Office doing to encourage Emirati businesses to invest in Poland?

Trade and Investment Promotion Section

in Abu Dhabi has been created to support Polish entrepreneurs in the UAE, promoting the Polish economy (especially export and investment) and coordinate the implementation of the tasks of economic diplomacy.

In addition, the department conducts promotional activities outside the UAE in the area of the Gulf states (Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait) and East Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda).

Activities include: • Fairs and Exhibitions

• • • •

Economic missions Seminars Direct contacts Investments

Final words...

Poland is one of the best-kept secrets in Europe; surprising especially when the country is one of the highest potential growth markets in this part of the world.

To learn more about business activities, investment opportunities and leisure activities in Poland, visit www.abudhabi.trade.gov.pl — farhana@khaleejtimes.com

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Harness tHe power of virtual reality Trusense innovatively uses virtual reality to create interactive, virtual visualisation of objects, experiences and buildings, etc. to help companies build stronger businesses

in events, showrooms or in the field. “Our visualisations are compatible with flat screens as well as VR equipment. We work on big projects (malls) as well as with smaller ones (households, apartments, exteriors, etc). Our projects are fully interactive and dynamic. It is more than normal visualisation — this is a new tool for selling any investment,” says Boberek.

Suneeti AhujA-Kohli

Jan Boberek

Imagine stepping into a capsule, wearing a headgear coupled with a software programme and instantly being transported to the top of Burj Khalifa. You are standing at the top, where a gush of strong wind greets you. At 828 metres above the ground level, you have a grand view of the city, and probably a beautiful view of the horizon too. The next minute, you can either choose to be back home or cross the Atlantic to be a part of a rock concert, or visit a museum. This is virtual reality — the power of experiencing something that is either miles away from reach, or doesn’t yet exist.

be widely used in e-commerce as well. Try to imagine shopping in a virtual mall where you can see clothes or jewellery in virtual shops (or on your body). It is all happening now, but is still only the first phase because it is just the beginning of the whole technology,” says Jan Boberek, CEO, Trusense.

Trusense creates the most technologically advanced, interactive, virtual visualisation of objects, experiences, buildings, etc. through various techniques such as 3D graphics, 3D scans, and 360-degree movies in virtual reality.

Solutions from the virtual world Trusense, a leading provider of virtual reality solutions, is using new age technology in innovative ways to help companies in different sectors build stronger businesses. “We can create any object, item, area, and situation and transport it into virtual reality. Thanks to suitable hardware, our senses can be immersed and we can actually ‘move’ into the created world. Our customers are able to ‘walk around’ a house that does not even exist, configure a car desk or visit places on a different continent without leaving their own living rooms. VR Technology is going to

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Industries using the technology Some of the early adopters of this science are in development industry, motor industry, heavy industry, marketing, trainings, tourism, and medicine. A look at some of the established names in different sectors gives an inkling of what to expect in years ahead. Companies such as Marriott, Ghelamco, Coca-Cola, Bentley, Lexus, Orange, to name a few, are already using solutions offered by VR technology.

On the other hand, technology giants such as Sony, Samsung, Microsoft, Facebook, and HTC are preparing to usher in further innovation through their hardware.

For now, Trusense’s solutions can be used

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How can users in the UAE benefit?

Considering Dubai’s affinity for smarter and superior technology, Trusense is looking at the emirates to spread its wings. “We offer three advantages to developers. The first is great PR because not many companies use virtual reality.

“Secondly, developers get a huge advantage over competition during presentation to potential clients. VR experience always wins over traditional visualisations."

Lastly, clients in the real estate space tend to save a lot of money during the construction of their project. “Sometimes a developer builds half of the building and realises that some aspects of the building have to be changed. With virtual reality you can avoid such mishaps. Our solution can let developers see the end-results, walk around the building and decide what needs to be revised, even before the construction begins.”

The benefits of this technology are galore.

Virtual reality convinces clients through their senses. They can visit projects in any part of the world, while being in one place. “Developers can advertise their company on expos. We can convert our visualisation into normal movies compatible with flat screens so the clients receive many products in one service. Besides this, our solutions are also perfect for the hospitality industry. We can let tourists take virtual tours of museums, towns, monuments, art, etc. and also allow hotel reservation in VR.” Think of the endless possibilities that technology opens up.

Trusense is based in Warsaw, Poland and can be contacted via the following: E-mail: office@trusense.com.pl Website: www.trusense.com.pl Tel: +48 509098297, +48 512347317

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Exporting engineered wood to the world The exhaustive range and superior quality of plywood from Sklejka Trade makes it a preferred supplier in Europe Suneeti AhujA-Kohli Established in 2005, Sklejka Trade has grown from a small business unit to one of the preferred names in the plywood industry in Europe. It has long-term experience in plywood brand, which makes it synonymous with the exhaustive range of engineered wood from Poland. The company is reputed for timely delivery irrespective of the location.

Year-on-year Sklejka is adding new markets to its portfolio. For now it exports to 14 countries in Europe, and is looking to increase its footprint in the Middle East.

Sklejka Trade is looking for buyer-processed plywood and ready to montage on formwork system and scaffolding. It offers ready packaging from plywood and intermediate from

Ignacy Gromek plywood that is used in a number of industries.

Broadly, the range of plywood includes birch, beech, poplar, pine, poplar plywood covered birch or okume veneer, okume plywood, LASER plywood, anti-slip brown plywood, anti-slip plywood with melamine (in colours), plywood birch with HPL (available in a number of colours), film-faced birch plywood, film-faced poplar plywood, for shattering film-faced birch plywood with PPL, 3 plies panel, girders and beams, plywood with

melamine film, fireproof plywood in grade B or C (for floor or to wall), plywood covered with rubber, flexible plywood, bent — glued plywood, wood briquette, packaging and plywood products, etc. The superior quality of its plywood has been accepted in a variety of industries and suits a number of applications.

In the decade of operations, the company has evolved into a significant business unit catering to wholesale, retail and mail orders.

What makes Sklejka a preferable partner is its ability to cater to customer requests and services efficiently. Its state-of-the-art machinery allows customisation of orders, cut to size, production of plywood forms, and plywood processing through CNC machines.

Sklejka Trade strives to further build its network of clients on specialised plywood, after machining, and plywood elements ready to montage. They are looking for customers wanting to purchase finished products like plywood crates, pallets and shelves for storage and for other products from plywood according to customer design.

POL AND ROAD DIVISION

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ENVIRONMENTAL & GREENERY DIVISIONS

Paving the road to a world of possibilities TRAKT believes in stable and conscious building concepts to maintain economic values All roads lead to the future as Polish design experts TRAKT pave the way with professionalism. Armed with a goal towards modern and comprehensive transport infrastructure, the company provides design solutions that meet the highest world-class standards per project.

Long-term and consistent developments are key to TRAKT’s successful structures, besides its modern and effective company management mechanisms.

TRAKT has been operating in the European market catering to design services since 1987.

To date, the design office has successfully implemented about 700 projects located on Poland’s main roads. Among these are the A1 and A2 motorways, and a lot of express roads including the S3, S17, S19, S11 and S69.

The company specialises in road design, airports, bridges, tunnels and underground facilities, such as water pipes, electricity, gas, telephone lines, etc.

Its business excellence lies in its efficiency, competent management, knowledge and assurance of continued operation and development. TRAKT believes in setting up a stable and conscious building concept that keeps up economic and intangible values including satisfaction, prestige and brand image.

TRAKT also has experience in urban communication design that requires multi-discipline work between designers and different specialities. Many projects were completed in co-operation with large international consultancy firms and

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Grzegorz Nowaczyk, TRAKT contractors, in line with European standards and requirements.

The company is involved in preparing environmental reports concerning noise analysis, water and air pollution, alongside traffic analyses and prognosis, hosted through a mesh-based analysis of existing and planned roads. Besides this, it also focuses on bridge design, hydrological design, power engineering, geology and geodesy, among others.

Its client portfolio includes the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways, GDDKiA branches across Poland, Province Roads Management Offices, Municipalities and Commune Offices and foreign investors. It also partners with notable organisations such as the Road and Bridge Research Institute, The Silesian University of Technology and Wroclaw University of Technology to continue and

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encourage research and development.

TRAKT implements the Quality Management Systems in line with its dedication to consistent standards. Its ISO 9001:2000 certification confirms the high quality of services and plays an important role in the company’s strategy. It determines its competitiveness in the market and operational efficiency that goes beyond the expectations of customers, employees and business partners. Other certifications include the ISO 9001:2004, ISO 9001:2007, to name a few.

Now, TRAKT is looking for opportunities in the UAE to ensure quality establishments.

Armed with experience and expertise, the company is ready to take up projects anywhere in the world. TRAKT is currently seeking possibilities to co-operate with a local partner and establish its branch in Dubai.

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Catering to your sweet tooth Shamag Trading Company offers a variety of delicious confectionery across the region Shamag Trading Company has led operations with a head office in Abu Dhabi, and warehouses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, for the past 55 years. It has bee distributing products and favours to cater to all tastes.

Shamag has been importing, distributing and re-exporting a tasty selection of cookies, biscuits and sweets to several countries in the Middle East and Africa.

The company’s bestsellers include the ‘Shamag Luxury Cream Fudge’ and ‘Shamag Golden Sesame Slice’ manufactured in Poland, and many more.

Shamag is ready to take care of any enquiry on sweet products.

SHAMAG TRADING COMPANY LLC E-mail: alshamag@gmail.com Web: www.shamag.com

Ahmed Al Shagga, Director, Al Shamag Trading

KHALEEJ TIMES | SPECIAL REPORT | NOVEMBER 11, 2015

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Maximising companies’ potential and profit The Efficienist works with companies to shore up its balance sheets and bring societal changes along the way Traditionally, management consultancies are all about maximising bottom line growth and lowering costs. But The Efficienist, one of the leading consultants providing services to companies in the UAE and outside, has adopted a different approach. The company works with its clients to improve efficiency levels, and along the way give back to societies through Shared Value Creation.

The Shared Value Creation concept was introduced by Michael Porter and Mark Kramer in 2011. Creating Shared Value is the practice of creating economic value in a way that also creates value for society by addressing its challenges and needs.

“We, at The Efficienist, are determined for our work to have a positive impact on people and the environment. Most organisations have a huge influence on the societies and the environment they operate in, often diminishing societal benefits rather than creating them,” says Magdalena, the Founder of The Efficienist.

The Efficienist works with various organisations within and beyond the UAE, helping them find ways to address the challenges faced by the broader community, and at the same time, enhance their competitive advantage and profitability.

“Developing and implementing a Shared Value strategy is one the smartest moves any company could take. It has been adopted by some of the most prosperous global corporations, resulting in unprecedented benefits for them as well as the society,” adds Magdalena.

The Efficienist assists companies that are willing to grow and improve, while creating benefits for the broader community. It does it by utilising its team’s extensive business

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Magdalena, the Founder of The Efficienist knowledge and expertise acquired at global organisations. Core activities include margin enhancement programmes, efficiency strategies, value chain analysis, market and category development plans, direct sourcing strategies and joint vendor plans. The Efficienist also assists business leaders increase their own and teams' potential to grow skills and discover new talents.

Every project the consultancy takes on leads to a societal benefit, as its aim is to create opportunities that will allow companies commit more easily to community-oriented initiatives by increasing their own efficiency, reducing costs, improving profits and gaining a competitive advantage.

How will the creation of a Shared Value benefit a business?

• • •

Combine economic profits with benefits to society.

Contribute to the society and environment while satisfying shareholders’ expectations.

Increase business sustainability (internally and externally) and create and enhance a positive image within your key stakeholders and the community.

Success stories The Efficienist has worked with an energetic and motivated retail buying team who lacked a structured or consistent approach to the category development process, resulting in significant purchasing inefficiencies, underserved customer markets and missed opportunities. The consultancy devised and implemented a new and efficient category development methodology; guided buyers through the new process and ways of working.

This led to a greater understanding of the consumer, category trends and influences, and action planning to leverage the acquired knowledge for maximum growth.

The category plans developed by The Efficienist led to product innovation, new customer segment acquisition as well as a

KHALEEJ TIMES | SPECIAL REPORT | NOVEMBER 11, 2015

significant sales and margin improvement. In addition, the team morale increased and crossteam collaboration was taken to a whole new level. Everyone felt valued and understood their role in the category development process.

Another interesting case study is of a large retail chain that suffered low margins with few important suppliers. The Efficienist were asked to develop and manage the implementation of margin enhancement strategies that included supplier optimisation, manufacturer efficiency improvement plans, product engineering, packaging reduction and improvements in supply chain and logistics.

It collaborated with the buying and supply chain teams to gain full engagement, and developed joint business plans with key vendors. The strategy resulted in more cost effective, sustainable supply and very supportive and reliable vendor base. Above all, the main goal of higher profit was achieved.

This was done not by simply asking suppliers for cost reductions, a method that hardly ever works, but by actively looking for ways to eliminate the efficiencies on both sides.

Leadership Its founder Magdalena is a fervent advocate of Shared Value Creation. She has over 10 years of experience assisting companies in the UK and UAE to eliminate business inefficiencies.

She has managed and implemented a number of complex projects to improve profitability and effectiveness across a wide spectrum of corporate areas, from retail buying and purchasing through vendor management and global sourcing to supply chain and finance, which when combined, resulted in millions in savings for the companies.

The Efficienist’s vision is to create a positive impact on people and the environment by creating opportunities that allow businesses to solve societal issues more easily. A crucial element of that vision is that companies will in parallel increase their profits, reduce their costs, improve their efficiency, and gain a competitive advantage.

Trade and Investment Promotion Section Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Abu Dhabi Al Maryah Island, Al Maqam Tower 35th Floor, Office 3520, Tel: +971 2 418 7542 and (49) E-mail: abudhabi@trade.gov.pl Web: https://uae.trade.gov.pl/en/