Hannover, Germany. Poland will be honored as the official Partner Country for HANNOVER MESSE 2017, as announced today in Hannover by the Polish Ministry of Economic Development and HANNOVER MESSE organizer Deutsche Messe. Paweł Chorąży, Undersecretary of State in the Polish Ministry of Economic Development, and Deutsche Messe Managing Board member Dr. Jochen Köckler signed the Partner Country agreement at the Polish national pavilion during HANNOVER MESSE.

"We are delighted that our neighbor Poland will be the Partner Country for HANNOVER MESSE 2017," said Köckler. "Many sectors of Polish industry are achieving impressive innovation and growth. This presents a range of opportunities for businesses and investors all around the world. HANNOVER MESSE is the ideal platform for highlighting these opportunities and hence for putting the strengths of the Polish economy in the international spotlight and building closer economic relations, both multilaterally and bilaterally between Germany and Poland," he added.

Polish Undersecretary of State Chorąży emphasized the opportunities expected to arise from his nation’s Partner Country role: "One of the Polish government’s most important priorities is to support innovative Polish companies and help them expand internationally. The international industrial trade fair in Hannover gives Polish companies an excellent chance to showcase their technologically advanced products and engage with valuable contacts. As the official Partner Country for HANNOVER MESSE 2017, we will be portraying the varied and dynamic nature of Poland’s economy as well as its highly innovative spirit, and seeking to further our foreign trade relations with international partners."

Poland has been enjoying rapid and stable economic growth for many years and is now the sixth-largest economy in the European Union. None of the other states which acceded to the EU at the start of this century have achieved such dynamic growth rates. In addition, the Polish government’s extensive investment in transport infrastructure and other public works is stimulating interest in the country among foreign investors. Poland’s foreign trade performance is another success story, with last year’s foreign trade volume totaling 354 billion euros – up 8 percent from 2014. Poland’s Ministry of Economic Development is currently pursuing a "Plan for Responsible Development" aimed at re-industrialization, fostering innovative businesses, building up development capital, opening up foreign markets and promoting social and regional development. Specific projects envisaged by the plan relate to eco-friendly local public transport infrastructure, IT security, unmanned aerial vehicles, and ships and mining machinery.

The upcoming HANNOVER MESSE (in April of 2016) already boasts a lineup of some 80 Polish firms intent on demonstrating their country’s industrial and R&D expertise. For example, in Hall 3 (Stand G25) various Polish exhibitors are showcasing prototypes and developments in the fields of space research, electrical and automation technology and robotics.