Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid and Regionalna Izba Gospodarcza w Katowicach, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice, Poland, have announced the renewal of their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), reaffirming a longstanding relationship rooted in mutual support, business development and cross-border cooperation.

The MoU renewal comes at a time of evolving trade dynamics, particularly in light of the new realities following Brexit and opportunities to reset European relationships currently being discussed.

The United Kingdom remains one of Poland’s most important trading partners, with £30.6bn in the trade of goods and services in 2024 between the two countries.

The continuation of institutional cooperation between regional chambers of commerce ensures that businesses from both nations can navigate challenges and seize opportunities more effectively. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice is one of the largest chambers of commerce in Poland, while Chambers Wales supports businesses across 80% of Wales.

Building upon the agreement signed between the Silesian Voivodeship and the Welsh Government last year, the renewed MoU sets the stage for joint initiatives, business missions and trade delegations between the two countries, as well as knowledge exchange in key established and emerging sectors such as digital innovation, education, green energy, life sciences, manufacturing and tourism.

Tomasz Zjawiony, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice, said:

“This partnership is crucial for long-term cooperation at the level of Chambers and entrepreneurs. By working together, we open doors for our businesses not only in Wales and Silesia but across the globe. This is how we build bridges of opportunity, strengthen regional economies, and inspire innovation through international collaboration.

“We look forward to transforming this renewed agreement into tangible actions that empower businesses, foster resilience and contribute to shared prosperity in Wales and Poland. Both Wales and Silesia are dynamic, industrially advanced regions with strong identities, entrepreneurial ecosystems and a shared commitment to sustainable growth.”

Gus Williams, interim CEO of Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said:

“This MoU marks the continuation of a partnership that supports our members and partners in Wales, and provides the opportunity to connect, collaborate and grow with our Polish counterparts. As the UK Government secures a new agreement with the European Union, our renewed MoU highlights the benefits of strong European relationships for business and the scope to improve trade, growth and knowledge transfer.”