On March 2, 2009 Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Japan hald jointly a business seminar followed by Polish Buffet.
Polish Food Industry: Tradition + Modernity = Reliability
The seminar was co-organized by Japan Institute for Overseas Investment (JOI) and supported by Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

13:30 Opening
Mr. Lech Walesa, former President of Poland
13:40 1. Polish food industry before and after accession to the EU – prospects for cooperation with foreign partners
Mr. Marek SAWICKI, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (15 min)
(see Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
13:55 2. Polish food industry – prospects for cooperation with Japan. Results of the mission of NRI to Poland.
Mr. Tetsurou SHIMIZU, Norinchukin Research Institute (15 min)
14:10 3. Plant production
Mr. Wladyslaw LUKASIK, President, Agricultural Market Agency (15 min)
14:25 4. Animal production in Poland
Mr. Janusz ZWIAZEK, Chief Veterinary Officer (15 min)
14:40 Coffee break (10 min)
14:50 5. Dairy industry
Mr. Wladyslaw LUKASIK, President, Agricultural Market Agency (15 min)
15:05 6. Regional and organic products
Ms. Monika TYSKA-SOLEK, Deputy Director, Department of the European Union and the International Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (15 min)
15:20 7. “Discover great food” – Leaders of the Polish Food Industry
Ms. Anita SZCZYKUTOWICZ (PhD), Director, Minister’s Office, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (15 min)
15:35 8. Polish meat in the European Union – “Meat in Europe”
Mr. Piotr ZIEMANN, “Meat in Europe” Project Manager (15 min)
15:50 Panel Discussion and Q&AModerated by Prof. Masahiko GEMMA, Waseda University (25 min)
16:15-17:00 “Polish Buffet” (45 min)

Accession to the EU disclosed the competitive advantage of the Polish food economy over food producers in other EU Member States. Access to a large, well-developed European market facilitated rapid increase of export of Polish food and enhanced the position of Polish food producers in the enlarged EU and further beyond.
Polish food has been gaining recognition among the consumers in Europe and beyond. Traditional methods of production combined with modern technologies are the key to the success of the Polish food industry at the main export markets. Great taste and high European quality at relatively low price are the main competitive advantage of Polish food sector

The seminar was opened by a special guest, Mr. Lech Walesa, recipient of the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1983 and former President of the Republic of Poland in 1990-1995