Fife Council and Polish region sign Economic Co-Operation Agreement

The Fife Council Leader’s Report on Thursday 21 September 2023 marked the success of Fife Council's Economic Co-Operation Agreement with the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship of Poland.

The agreement, which was signed in August 2023, was approved by Cabinet Committee last year, and the Polish Government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs this summer.

The relationship between Fife and Kujawsko-Pomorskie has been developed over several years through civic, cultural and heritage links. These links include support for an exhibition of the Silent Unseen, who trained at Silverburn Park, and Polish delegations from the region regularly visiting Fife.

The agreement sets out areas for joint working in trade and business collaboration and will include opportunities for a joint presence at trade events. The agreement also focuses on developing relationships in business areas including food and drink, advanced manufacturing, digital technology and plastic products.

Spokesperson for Economy, Finance and Strategic Planning, Councillor Altany Craik said about the agreement:

“This agreement is an excellent opportunity for Fife to build closer relationships with our European partners and provide new trade networks for our businesses to thrive.

“The links established through this agreement will help to build a stronger, greener and fairer local economy, and continue to bring investment and opportunities to Fife.

“Fife Council looks forward to welcoming the delegation from Kujawsko-Pomorskie on their visit in October.”

Following the signing, an action plan will be developed covering short and long-term business activities. The scope of the agreement also covers opportunities to collaborate in areas such as culture, science, sport, and education.

As part of the deal, Fife representatives met with the newly formed European Corps of Councillors to engage with smaller local authorities in Poland on shared areas of economic interest. Fife Council representatives have also engaged with cultural organisations in the region to explore activity based on the strong heritage and cultural links between Fife and the Kujawsko-Pomorskie region.

In October 2023, a delegation of businesses from Poland will visit Fife to learn more around economic development and community wealth building in the rural economy, and in 2024, Fife companies will engage in a trade fair focused on the polymers supply chain.

The agreement forms a pilot for Fife to benefit from its links to European and global partners across several sectors. The Council is working with Scottish Development International, as well as academic partners, to build links which enhance Fife’s economy as one which is stronger, greener and fairer. Officers are discussing future activity, including investment promotion at the UK Real Estate Investment Forum 2024.

You can read more about the Agreement in the Leader’s Report to Fife Council at:

Agenda for the meeting of Fife Council 21st September 2023