+48 22 400 76 60 info@ppcc.pl

Farewell message from General Director, Wojciech Baczyński, finishing his mission at the PPCC

Dear PPCC Members and Friends,

I would like to inform that after 11 magnificent years, I will cease my functions as General Director/Secretary General at the Polish – Portuguese Chamber of Commerce (PPCC).

I have always treated work as a service to other people and as a form of cooperation that allows to achieve goals that are inaccessible to an individual. It was a great honour to be part of our business community and to contribute to its development and challenges. Working at the PPCC was unique and highly rewarding experience in my career and for that chance I will always be grateful. It was also a lot of fun with personal fulfilment.

I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart:

  • All the PPCC MEMBERS, for your cooperation and human links created.
  • João Brás Jorge, current PPCC President, for great cooperation and professional inspirations. I could always rely on your true input of ideas and values.
  • Pedro Pereira da Silva, founding PPCC President, for seeing drive in me and for learnings on thinking with ambition while working on details,
  • Tiago Costa, Mr. Paulo Ribeiro Da Silva, Mr. Christian Minzolini, Mr. Vitor Pinto, Mr. Joaquim Barbosa, Mr. Rui Amaral, Mr. Dimitri Dias, Mr. Piotr Bienias, Mr. António Castro, Mr. Pedro Martinho and Mr. José Luis Villacampa for their constant guidance and very strong commitment to our teamwork.

Special thanks to: Mrs .Izabella Paszak, Mrs. Maria Geraldes, Mrs. Katarzyna Dubińska, Mr. Luis Amaral, Mr. Adam Tencza, Mr. Rui Bento de Carvalho, Mr. João Rodrigues, Mr. Piotr Komorowski, Mr. Marcin Krakowiak, Mr. Tomasz Darowski, Mr. Paulo Silva, Mr. Ricardo Rodrigues, Mr. José Luis Teixeira, Mr. Ivo Novo, Mr. Jorge Pinto, Mr. José da Silva, Mr. Manuel Maioral.

To His and Her Excellencies the Ambassadors: H.E. Luis Cabaço, H.E. Maria Amélia Paiva, H.E João Silva Leitão, H.E. Jacek Junosza-Kisielewski, H.E. Katarzyna Skórzyńska, H.E. Dorota Barys, H.E. Marek Makowski, H.E. Andrzej Braiter, H.E. Haroldo Macedo Ribeiro, H.E. Alfredo Leoni, H.E. Hadil da Rocha Vianna.

To all our business Partners and friends at other institutions and all PPCC Regional Representatives in 5 countries.

To the BEST TEAMS formed initially by Elżbieta Jura, Malgorzata Goreń and Weronika Gwiazda; and later by Sylwia Królak-Kolęda, Antonina Łaguna, Anita Siemińska, Martyna Zięba, Kasia Banaszek, Agata Sołtys, Andre Borges and all the trainees that helped this Chamber of Commerce.

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce the new PPCC General Director/Secretary General, Mrs. Sylwia Królak-Kolęda, a dear colleague at the PPCC over past 5 years, assuming the function as of 1 April 2025. 

Below the contact details of Mrs. Sylwia Królak-Kolęda. 

E-mail: sk@ppcc.pl 

Mobile: +48 696 760 925 (my number during past years).

In the past weeks, I have worked together with Mrs. Sylwia Królak-Kolęda, in all matters of day-to-day business of the Chamber of Commerce and to prepare a smooth transition.

Furthermore, I also would like to inform that I am currently in preparations that shall lead to continuation of my professional career working in Curitiba, Brazil, at the General Consulate of Republic of Poland, an institution focused, among others, on relations with the broad Polish diaspora in Brazil, as well as on the bilateral economic relations, with coverage of 13 states of the Federation.

Below my contact details:

E-mail: wbaczynski@gmail.com

Mobile: +48 603792486 (phone and WhatsApp)

LinkediN: linkedin.com/in/wojciech-baczyński-a319a687

It will be always a pleasure to keep in touch and continue our fruitful cooperation. I do hope to still meet you during upcoming PPCC General Meeting scheduled for 28th March 2025, as recently informed.

Sincerely yours,

The European Union and Mercosur’s Partnership Agreement

On December 6, 2024, the European Commission (EC) and leaders from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay announced the successful conclusion of negotiations on the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement. This agreement, which covers trade, political dialogue, and sectoral cooperation, could create one of the world’s largest free trade areas. The deal will now undergo legal verification, and its ratification will require approval from both Mercosur and EU parliaments. For more details on the agreement’s development and future prospects, read the full text published by the European Commission on their official website.

 

While the deal represents a significant step forward, challenges persist. In his publication, Bartłomiej Znojek, Latin America Analyst, explores both the obstacles and the opportunities the partnership presents. We encourage you to explore the full publication, available in both Polish and English.

New PPCC Regional Representative

We have a pleasure to introduce our new Regional Representative of Silesia Region: Sylwia Macura-Targosz, senior associate at Sołtysiński Kawecki & Szlęzak law firm. Sylwia is the Head of our Member’s SK&S office in Katowice. As a specialist in IT law, she is a member of the New Technologies Law Association. Furthermore, Sylwia excels in the field of personal data protection and privacy. She acts as Data Protection Officer for clients and supports entrepreneurs in proceedings conducted by the President of the Personal Data Protection Office.

We welcome Sylwia on board and we are looking forward for our cooperation!

New PPCC Regional Representatives

We would like to announce the last changes in the PPCC Regional Representation structure.

On 23th of April 2024 the Board of the PPCC accepted the recommendations of General Director, Wojciech Baczyński, for the appointment of two new PPCC Regional Representatives.

After many years of representing the Chamber in Wrocław, we would like to express big thank you to Anna Partyka-Opiela for her contribution and cooperation during past years. We trully appreciate her input.

Saying that, we would like to annouce our new Regional Representative for Lower Silesia – Anna Szermach from LS CORPORATE Legal Szermach, our Member company.

Anna Szermach is a holder of PhD in legal sciences and a licensed Advocate, specialized in commercial and civil law. With extensive experience in conducting educational activities, she delivered lectures at the Faculty of Law at the University of Wroclaw and WSB University. Beyond academic pursuits, Anna Szermach gladly contributes pro bono to various educational initiatives, advocating for the rule of law in Poland.

We are also thrilled to introduce the second Regional Representative Sławomir Deleżuch, who will join Eduardo Serra Jorge, in region of Algarve. Sławomir Deleżuch is CEO and co-owner of SMSBIZ, our Member company.

Sławomir Deleżuch is a versatile executive with over two decades of leadership experience in finance, media, and management across Europe. Holds a Master’s Degree in Finance and Accounting from Warsaw University and an Engineering degree focused on Enterprise Management. Recognised for strategic vision, financial expertise, and an entrepreneurial approach to business challenges.

We are pleased to have you on board and looking forward for upcoming cooperation!

 

 

 

Get “The ESG Leader” title!

On behalf of our member company PwC Polska, Warsaw Stock Exchange and NN Investment Partners TFI, we invite you to the second edition of the competition.

  • Is sustainable development included in your company’s strategy?
  • You and your team are working on an innovative product that supports environmental protection or sustainable social
  • Do you teach others how to positively influence society and nature?

ESG Leader is a title awarded to companies and institutions that have and implement an outstanding ESG strategy, offer innovative products and services supporting environmental protection or sustainable social development, and conduct effective information and promotion campaigns in the field of sustainable development.

As in the first edition, companies and institutions can apply for the title of “ESG Leader” in three categories:

  • ESG Strategy
  • Innovation in the field of ESG
  • Educational program in the field of ESG

More information about the competition “ESG Leaders” can be found at www.liderzyesg.pl. We are waiting for applications for the competition until September 30.

Participation in the competition is free of charge.

 

António Costa visits Poland amid the situation in Ukraine

António Costa visits Poland amid the situation in Ukraine. The visit was initiated with a meeting between the Portuguese prime minister with national investors in Poland – Jerónimo Martins, Millenium Bank, and Mota Engil – last Thursday, May 19th, where the perspectives on the polish market and economy and its eventual blockages were the main topic of discussion.

António Costa then reunited with homolog Mateusz Morawiecki on Friday, May 20th, for a conference to discuss the collective European security and the two country’s economic relations. António Costa has announced that “Poland can count with all our support in the effort for their humanitarian help with the Ukrainian refugees” by launching an economic package of up to 50€ million euros to support the Polish humanitarian assistance to Ukrainian refugees. The Portuguese Prime Minister reinforced this commitment while visiting the National State of Warsaw, currently one of the largest refugee centers in Poland: “To these people, we reaffirm our strongest commitment to ensuring their safety and well-being. However, we are all aware that the most difficult situation is the one faced by those who remain in Ukraine, where the humanitarian situation is in many cases very critical.”

Source

PPCC and CCIP about Portuguese companies present in Poland

Since February 24th, the situation in Ukraine has shifted the global economy. Portugal and Poland, whose commercial relations are promoted by the Polish-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce (PPCC) and the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), manage the interest of 200 member companies and share the experience that has been of the two countries’ economic relations.

In an interview with Executive Digest, Pedro Magalhães – Head of International Trade of CCIP – and Wojciech Baczyński – General Director of PPCC – have stated that, in general, all the Portuguese companies associated with the Polish-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce have kept their regular work while expressing the will to act and aid the Ukrainian population that arrives in Poland, from both corporate and individual agents. Amid the economic and commercial significative impact that some companies have felt, both Chambers have been doing customized support work for companies, clarifying the doubts, displaying information, and, most importantly, stimulating a direct contact and relation between Portuguese exporter companies and the central Polish importers, distributors, and clients.

“The opportunities keep coming, the market is still functioning and there is still the search for products and services made in Portugal”, both stated. The Directors recognize the advantage of being on top of the occurrences and thus being more prepared with the necessary means so that member companies can avoid less risk and, simultaneously, begin and swiftly grow their businesses in the Polish market.

DFJ Vinhos, RFF & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados, and Syone, member companies of the Polish-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce share their personal experience in the Polish market during this particular time.

Source

“Humanitarian Aid Program” Together with Ukraine Charity Foundation

In these difficult moments, the Polish Portuguese Chamber of Commerce expressing its solidarity with its Ukrainian friends affected by the war would like to encourage you to support them by taking part in the “Humanitarian Aid Program” led by Together with Ukraine Charity Foundation.

 

METAVERSE RAPORT KOCHAŃSKI & PARTNERS

We are pleased to share with you the information about the release of “METAVERSE REPORT KOCHAŃSKI & PARTNERS“, which is the first extensive report on the metaverse in Poland.

The authors of the report – an interdisciplinary team of experts from Kochański & Partners – present the metaverse as a collective virtual space bringing together physical and digital reality which, from the perspective of the participant, is based on the creation of a sense of interpenetration between the real world and the virtual world.

  • What does the metaverse mean for business?
  • What legal challenges will the development of the metaverse bring?
  • How can your business thrive in this new reality?

METAVERSE REPORT KOCHAŃSKI & PARTNERS provides a legal perspective on a variety of areas surrounding the metaverse, i.a.:

  • property rights and web 3.0,
  • advertising,
  • trademarks,
  • AI,
  • NFT,
  • crypto-assets and the MICA Regulation.

We encourage you to visit Kochański & Partners’ website and download the report (click here). 

The report was coordinated by: Łukasz WęgrzynSzymon Ciach, and Aleksandra Ryżkowska.

The report was partnered by Synapse Network and ITwiz.

 

DO YOU KNOW UKRAINIAN CITIZENS LOOKING FOR TRANSPORTATION TO PORTUGAL?

The following is what you can do to help them get there quickly and safely!


1. Register them at the Portuguese Embassy in Warsaw
The Embassy coordinates many of the free transportation to Portugal actions organized by
Portuguese non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and organizes the transports itself in
response to demand. These are air and ground transports. It can be for example a chartered flight
to Lublin airport (as was the case a few days ago – it took almost 300 people), a seat on a
scheduled flight e.g. TAP from Warsaw to Lisbon, or a bus.
Send an e-mail to the embassy at varsovia@mne.pt with the following details:
– first and last name of persons in Latin notation (our letters);
– type of documents they have + their copies like photo/scan;
– telephone and contact e-mail;
– place of stay of the persons.
AND/OR
Fill out the form created by the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministério dos Negócios
Estrangeiros) which, in addition to registering with the embassy for transport to Portugal, will
initiate the process of obtaining temporary protection status in Portugal.
Form in English:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1AZrd_IIuZRIwmnO8wqBNWi1w6f2Crbpy-vTdgSIgUkA/edit?
ts=6222057e
Form in Ukrainian:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/18k943p-PWVh7eR0kAp-y7HDQiK92rajMxcIDRLQMe74/
edit?ts=62220572
Form in Portuguese:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1SjdowXgeKE0CjRPXKmG3akV20iqRX1XvntmM08BOh50/
edit?ts=6222058b


2. Search for private initiatives
The Portuguese organize a lot of aid actions from the bottom up. Often, even in small towns in
Portugal create a collection of needed things, collect funds and then head to bring this support to
the border with Ukraine, and on the way back pick up people willing to go to Portugal. Often,
having already collected donations, having funds for the travel, they do not know where exactly to
go to deliver them. Whether to Poland or Romania? To which cities, or directly to the border? You
can make their task easier by announcing that you are a group of people and you are waiting for
transport to Portugal in a given city. This will help them determine the route and pick you up from
Poland.
I will attach here a list of Portuguese aid groups on Facebook that I know, in which you can report
that you want to go, where you are and how many people. Write in English, Portuguese speak
English well. There are also a lot of Ukrainians, you can write in Ukrainian.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/666488044505011/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/631085804788081/
Please, remember. Warn Ukrainian people who decide to use the private initiative to take photos
of the license plate of the car and the driver with their ID/driving license in order to send this data
to their relatives. This is a precautionary measure, but safety is crucial, it is mostly women with
children who travel. Unlike transports organized officially with the support of the authorities, these
are beyond any control.


3. Transportation on your own for those with the financial means to purchase a ticket
On their own to Portugal by air can get Ukrainians who have biometric passports or in the
absence of this document, having a special permit issued only in emergency situations by the
Embassy of Portugal – Título de Viagem Única, TVU. In case of transport by land, there is no
requirement to have any of these documents.


4. Flixbus has free tickets for refugees on the route from
Przemyśl/Rzeszów to EU countries
https://global.flixbus.com/ukraine-support


5. Wizzair offers a pool of 100,000 tickets for refugees to be used in March
http://wizzair.com/#/rescue


6. Where to find out more + important contacts
Portugal has implemented aid measures, such as temporary protection status in Portugal for
Ukrainian refugees for 12 months with the possibility of extension, access to health care and the
labor market. More information: https://portugalforukraine.gov.pt/
Portuguese governmental units coordinating aid efforts for refugees from Ukraine:
Consular Crisis Unit
Gabinete de Emergência Consular
+
High Commission for Migration
Alto Comissariado para as Migrações
Phone: +351 218 106 191 (in Ukrainian language)
+351 217 929 714
+351 961 706 472
sosucrania@acm.gov.pt (you can write in Ukrainian)
gec@mne.pt
Embassy of Portugal in Warsaw
Phone +(48 22) 511 10 10/11/12
Back-up Phone + (48) 781 159 430
varsovia@mne.pt