On Thursday, January 16, 2025, the inaugural meeting of the Defense Economy Committee of the Federation of Polish Entrepreneurs (FPP) took place, bringing together representatives from the public and private sectors, as well as industry organizations. The meeting served as a platform to discuss defense challenges, digital transformation, industrial competitiveness, and Poland’s economic security. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz participated in the event.
Photos: Ministry of National Defense, Federation of Polish Entrepreneurs
“I am a strong supporter of relations with social partners, business federations, and trade unions. I consider it the government’s duty. I believe it is of great importance that we seek agreements in various areas while also working together for economic development. This is how I see the role of your organization—good solutions, interesting ideas, but also a focus on security. I appreciate the establishment of this committee, which influences the economic sphere while being dedicated to national security. National security is not just about a strong army or powerful state institutions; it is also about the strength of the Polish economy,” said the Minister of National Defense during a meeting with representatives of the Federation of Polish Entrepreneurs.
“Economic development and investments are, without a doubt, an investment in security. How can we create and leverage Poland’s position, which I believe is unique in our history? (…) This new economic momentum that I see lies in the defense industry. If Europe does not wake up and fails to invest in the defense industry, including Poland, we will have no chance of winning the arms race against authoritarian countries such as Russia, North Korea, or Iran—countries with no labor standards, no economic rules. (…) For industry and the economy, equipment is also crucial, not just strictly military gear, but the entire logistics chain, containers, barracks construction, unit expansion, and various types of infrastructure-related equipment. The same equipment we used during flood relief efforts will be heavily utilized in the construction of the East Shield. (…) This is a vast area of cooperation between the economy and the military,” said the Minister of National Defense during a meeting with representatives of companies shaping the Polish economy.
During the meeting with entrepreneurs and leaders of the Polish economy, issues related to investments in national security were discussed. Topics included the digital transformation of the Polish Armed Forces, the defense industry, and defense infrastructure.
“Another issue I would like to address is civil defense and public protection. We are also ready to cooperate in this area. Another key element is our Cyberspace Defense Component Command. This unit consists of 6,000 personnel who operate in the network daily, defending Poland’s cyberspace and neutralizing threats. Every day, both public institutions and private companies face cyberattacks. I am very interested in cooperation in this area, and the Commander of the Cyberspace Defense Forces will certainly provide full support and collaboration if invited. Another area of cooperation is artificial intelligence—this is already happening. (…) The space industry is another sector we are developing. We are currently working with France on a Polish satellite system, including new satellites that we plan to launch into orbit. The next focus area is drone forces—not only unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) but also ground, surface, and underwater drones,” said the Deputy Prime Minister, outlining the areas of joint efforts between the defense sector and Polish companies operating in security and defense.
Marek Kowalski, Chairman of the Federation of Polish Entrepreneurs (FPP), highlighted key thematic aspects such as cybersecurity, the competitiveness of energy-intensive industries, and the financing of defense projects: “A secure state depends on the strength of the Polish economy. We cannot allow non-EU companies to be the primary beneficiaries of the National Recovery Plan (KPO), especially when energy prices in Poland exceed the EU average.”
Agnieszka Kubera, President of Accenture, emphasized the process and organizational transformation of the defense system: “Secure data exchange and the ability to transfer private-sector technologies to the public sector are key elements of this transformation. The private sector possesses knowledge and innovations that must be integrated into the transformation process.”
Jerzy Kozicz, Chairman of the FPP Energy and Environment Committee, pointed out the challenges facing the energy-intensive industry, particularly steel production: “In recent years, Europe has reduced steel production by one-third, leading to a crisis in the construction sector. Despite growing demand for metallurgical products, Poland still relies primarily on imports. Reactivating the Energy-Intensive Industry Task Force within the Ministry of Development and Technology (MRIT) is crucial to addressing these challenges.”
Janusz Władyczak, President of KUKE, emphasized the importance of financing in executing large defense projects and the related infrastructure expansion: “We are already providing contract guarantees for Polish companies, securing transactions, and encouraging banks to finance domestic investments in the defense industry with our loan repayment guarantees. Our business development support ecosystem perfectly aligns with the current needs of the defense sector.” He also pledged KUKE’s support for export transactions in the Polish defense industry as well as for acquisitions of companies abroad.
The Federation of Polish Entrepreneurs (FPP) carries out various initiatives supporting economic development, including the Public Procurement Academy. “Developing best practices for applying public procurement law, validated by the Public Procurement Office (UZP), will allow for better preparation of both contracting authorities and contractors. As one of the three largest representative employers’ organizations in Poland, we have the necessary experience to support this process,” noted Marek Kowalski.
The meeting of the Defense Economy Committee of the Federation of Polish Entrepreneurs (FPP) highlighted the importance of cooperation at both the national and international levels. The FPP aims to strengthen relations with the Ministry of National Defense (MON) and other key institutions while continuing efforts to promote Polish companies in foreign markets.
The Federation of Polish Entrepreneurs (FPP) represents business entities united under its umbrella and continuously strives to improve the operational quality of Polish companies—both domestically and internationally. It implements initiatives that shape a responsible and sustainable policy, ensuring efficiency from the employers’ perspective while guaranteeing high security standards for employees. The Federation is also a member of the Social Dialogue Council, whose primary goal is to ensure proper development and security for the most significant entities in the Polish labor market.
The FPP plays a key role in shaping the economy and national security, effectively responding to current challenges and supporting sustainable development. It creates a platform for dialogue between entrepreneurs and decision-makers, facilitating joint solutions to the most pressing issues.
Zainaugurowaliśmy prace Komitetu Gospodarki Obronnej #FPP❗W wydarzeniu wziął udział Wicepremier i Minister @MON_GOV_PL, @KosiniakKamysz, co podkreśla wagę współpracy biznesu z sektorem obronnym. Więcej info na stronie⤵️https://t.co/tTM2g4hgSq pic.twitter.com/JrdAyedL0h
— FPP (@Federacja_PL) January 17, 2025
Zainaugurowany dziś Komitet Gospodarki Obronnej funkcjonujący w ramach Federacji Przedsiębiorców Polskich doskonale wpisuje się w nasze działania, których celem jest bezpieczeństwo 🇵🇱. Pogłębiony dialog i wypracowanie rozwiązań budujących potencjał obronny RP musi iść razem z… pic.twitter.com/gqFTacebLk
— Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (@KosiniakKamysz) January 16, 2025
Based on press releases