Polish Ambassador to Qatar H E Janusz Janke, Qatar Financial Centre CEO Yousuf Mohamed Al Jaida with other officials and participants at the Qatar-Poland New Tech Forum, yesterday.
As many as 20 Polish technology companies yesterday pitched their innovative solutions using the latest technologies to serve various industries in Qatar’s ever expanding economy. From turning a sports stadium into a multi-functional infrastructure post-tournament to distributing smart trash cans which recycle glass bottles into sand in just 10 seconds, the tech companies featured at the third Qatar-Poland New Tech Forum eye partnerships with their Qatari counterparts as they expand their businesses in the region.
Speaking to The Peninsula on the sidelines of the event, Polish Ambassador to Qatar H E Janusz Janke said while many of the companies offer tech solutions related to the upcoming FIFA World Cup, several others also explore diverse markets such as oil and gas, telecommunication, drone technology, as well as the ICT sector with cloud-based and AI-based solutions.
“Also, we have representative of the Polish national stadium, which was opened for UEFA Cup in 2012 in Warsaw. This stadium management called PL.2012+ can present how we can utilise stadiums after the big event, maximising the multi-functional use of the infrastructure. The stadium has hosted NATO Summit, has also been used as a COVID hospital, and now it’s helping to tackle the crisis in Ukraine providing support for administration to receive the refugees. It’s good to have a concept how to use the infrastructure which was built for World Cup to make it multi-functional. We are putting them in touch with Qatari authorities like Aspire Zone Foundation, and now we are preparing the ground for future discussion and to share experience,” the Ambassador said.
Also speaking to The Peninsula on the sidelines of the event, Mikolaj Pedrycz, representative for PL.2012+ said: “In the same month we organise football matches, speedway, concerts, business conferences, and exhibition events. Qatar is utilising the world’s best technology solutions installed in the stadiums, and we can learn from them on how to use new technologies and sustainable solutions for our 10-year old stadium. In the same way, we can also share our experience how to use sports facilities and maintain them after the big tournament”.
Maas Loop, which recycles glass bottles into sand which can be used in construction projects, as well as cleaning pools and pipes, is currently managed by the Qatar-Poland Business Council, which co-organised the forum with the Polish Embassy in Doha.
QPBC Vice-President Pawel Kulaga said Qatar will likely be the first country in the Middle East to have the machines, which won the European Product Design Award after just having been completed last year.
Polish Ambassador to Qatar H E Janusz Janke addressing the forum.
“We’ll be contracting partners in Qatar to distribute a few thousand pieces just in time for the FIFA World Cup as well. The machines can be used in hotels and restaurants, and it will soon be also distributed in EU countries. They’re also developing machines to recycle paper and plastics,” he added.
According to the Polish Ambassador, a number of the Polish companies have already entered in partnerships with their local partners and are establishing operations in Qatar.
“Predica is cooperating with Microsoft Azure to provide national cloud. While Spectre Solutions is collaborating with Rheinmetall Barzan Holdings for drones. Also, another partner for the forum, the Polish national oil and gas company PGNiG with expertise in digital oilfields, has signed an agreement with Black Cat Engineering & Construction and now has plans to expand in the region through Qatar,” Janke added.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, Qatar Financial Centre CEO Yousuf Mohamed Al Jaida reiterated that Qatar’s digital sector is poised for rapid growth and is expected to catalyse the economic diversification in the country. “Digital spending in Qatar is expected to grow by $3.2bn by 2023, spread across different industry segments. Qatar has invested massively in developing its sports sector to supporting local and international innovators, entrepreneurs and SMEs.
Fast becoming a regional sports hub, Qatar offers lucrative opportunities for sportstech companies and various fields,” he said.
QPBC President and Chairman Daniel Dybala told The Peninsula: “We see a lot of interest between Poland and Qatar enhancing business relations. Qatari investors are very sophisticated and they always look for interesting and new technologies and solutions. Qatar has always been at the forefront of new technology trends. There’s a lot happening in every single industry with so many different projects. Qatar’s strategic vision covers many areas and a lot of the Polish companies offer solutions that are a great supplement to what Qatar is trying to accomplish”.
Prominent business community leader Farhan Al Sayed added: “Qatar is having a boom in 2022, with high energy prices Qatar’s economy is upbeat this year. The country is on a fast track and needs development through advanced technologies, and it is a great initiative to connect Qatari high tech businesses with their Polish counterparts. It’s also good to see the backing of the Qatar Financial Centre as well as the Qatar Free Zones Authority, which shows how proactive the Qatari business sector is in welcoming businesses to come to Qatar and invest in the country”.
