During the mission to Poland, held from October 12-14, Flemish companies, sector organizations, and authorities, including the Province of West Flanders, explored new international contacts and cooperation possibilities with the Polish region of Pomerania. This region is developing into a significant industrial and logistics hub on the Baltic Sea, with sectors that align with West Flanders' economic fabric.
A seminar on economic resilience and visits to Polish companies such as Meble Wójcik and Goodvalley Agro provided insights into the local industrial landscape. The meetings highlighted the complementary strengths of both regions and identified starting points for future collaboration.
The mission aligns with the ambition to develop an international cooperation network between regions along the North Sea and Baltic Sea (NSBS). The visit to the Port of Gdańsk on October 14 illustrated the potential of this cooperation, offering interesting prospects for West Flanders, particularly through possible connections with Zeebrugge as part of Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
Investments in port infrastructure, transport, and industrial development create opportunities for interregional cooperation and joint investment initiatives, partly through European and private funding. Additionally, on October 15, the Gdańsk University of Technology was visited, where insights were exchanged on industrial innovation and research cooperation with professor Dariusz Mikielewicz, vice-rector for research.
The historical ties between West Flanders and the Baltic region, dating back to the Hanseatic League, form a basis for new economic relationships. Potential cooperation avenues include international networks, ports and logistics, research and innovation, economic cooperation between companies, and interregional cooperation with regional authorities.
With the contacts made and insights gained, West Flanders aims to enhance its international positioning and identify concrete initiatives that stimulate innovation, industrial development, and economic growth.
