Reinhold Umminger, senior vice president of CeBIT Courtesy of CeBIT

Why was Poland chosen as the CeBIT Partner Country this year?

The Republic of Poland has undergone remarkable changes in recent years. Visitors to Poland’s CeBIT 2013 showcase will discover one of the world’s most exciting up-and-coming economic powers and a highly attractive foreign direct investment location with enormous potential.

The choice of Poland as CeBIT Partner Country will benefit both Poland and Germany as well as all CeBIT exhibitors and attendees. For the international companies and institutions at the fair, Poland is an important gateway to Eastern Europe. And for the participating Polish exhibitors, CeBIT is a key international market development platform.

What makes Poland and its companies so interesting?

Poland has a special significance for Germany and for many other nations because, despite growing international competition, the country is regarded as one of the most attractive business locations in Central and Eastern Europe.

The Polish ICT market has grown at above-average rates for many years and the country has an enormous supply of highly-qualified professionals in all digital industries, which makes it a great place to do business, particularly considering the skill shortages we see in many other developed countries today.

Which Polish companies will be participating at CeBIT 2013?

Around 150 Polish companies, universities, research institutions and technology parks will be exhibiting at this year’s show. Apart from its national pavilion in Hall 6, Poland will be represented at all four CeBIT platforms (pro, gov, lab and life). Polish exhibitors include leading ICT companies, such as Comarch, but also numerous SMEs and start-ups. More than 20 start-ups will be represented at the group pavilion in Hall 11 alone.

A number of discussions are planned for CeBIT 2013. Which Polish companies and experts will take part in the events and what will they talk about?

The Polish-German ICT Summit on Tuesday, March 5, which is the first day of CeBIT, will be complemented by a number of additional discussions with Polish experts. For instance, “Polish Day” on Wednesday will profile Poland as one of the key growth drivers in the European Union. Attendees will learn about the Polish success model and the full spectrum of the country’s cluster development. They will also be able to network with young Polish companies and agencies responsible for facilitating the process of setting up businesses in the country.

On Thursday, the BITKOM SME Forum will explore “Market Opportunities for SMEs in Poland.” There, SMEs will learn about the enormous potential of the Polish ICT market and the specific issues they need to consider before entering the market.

The “Poland meets Europe” event on Thursday afternoon is all about helping European ICT companies find new business partners in Poland. The event will also highlight the Polish ICT sector with all its facets, focusing, in particular, on the innovative power of Polish companies and institutions.

Who will be at the CeBIT Opening Ceremony?

The lineup of keynote speakers at the CeBIT opening ceremony includes Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the president of Germany’s BITKOM digital industries association, Dieter Kempf, and Thomas Enders, CEO of the European aerospace corporation EADS. Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister Janusz Piechociński will also be attending.

Who will participate at the Polish-German ICT Summit on Tuesday, March 5? What’s the agenda and purpose of the summit?

The Polish-German ICT Summit will be attended by high-ranking representatives from business and politics. They will talk about the ICT industries in both countries and explore the options for further intensifying German/Polish business collaboration.
The delegates include Wacław Iszkowski, president of the Polish Chamber of Information Technology and Telecommunications (PIIT), Andrzej Malinowski, president of the Chamber of Polish Employers and BITKOM president Dieter Kempf.