By Monsi A. Serrano
The Philippines and Poland are set to further deepen technology and business cooperation as Polish President Karol Nawrocki joins the fifth Poland–Philippines IT Business Summit in Makati City early October, bringing together government, business, and technology leaders from both countries.
The summit, themed “The Art of Smart Cities,” will focus on how digital technologies and innovation can help address the evolving needs of growing cities, with discussions covering urban mobility, digital services, infrastructure, payments, data, and cybersecurity.
Around 200 participants are expected to take part in the annual gathering, which has brought together the technology and business communities of Poland and the Philippines since 2022.
President Nawrocki’s participation comes as Poland seeks to further expand economic and technology partnerships in the Philippines. Polish companies working in urban infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital payments, and data solutions are expected to engage with Philippine government representatives, local authorities, business leaders, and the academic community.
“Having the President open the Summit gives this year’s gathering special significance. We are looking forward to turning outcomes of our event into projects and lasting partnerships,” said Bartek Wasiewski, head of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency’s Foreign Trade Office in Manila.
The summit will also highlight the next generation of Filipino innovators through the Poland–Philippines Smart Cities Hackathon, organized with iACADEMY.
Five teams of Filipino senior high school and college students will develop digital solutions focused on urban mobility and transport access in Makati, with support from mentors from the technology sector. The winning team will present its solution during the summit.
President Nawrocki is also expected to meet the participating students during his official visit to the Philippines, providing a youth dimension to the broader technology and business engagement between the two countries.
The summit is organized by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH), the Embassy of Poland in Manila, and Spiderhook Inc., with iACADEMY as academic partner and host.
PAIH, Poland’s government trade and investment promotion agency, supports Polish companies seeking business partners in the Philippines while facilitating opportunities for Philippine businesses in Poland.
