BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 5. In the first quarter
of this year, Poland’s direct investment in Azerbaijan’s economy
totaled $2.3 million, which is $2.3 million or 61.5 times higher
than the corresponding period of last year.


This is stated in the report "Foreign Direct Investment
Attracted to Azerbaijan’s Economy and Directed to Foreign Economies
in the First Quarter of 2026," published by the Central Bank of
Azerbaijan.


According to the report, in addition, the data shows that over
the reporting period, Poland’s share of total foreign direct
investment directed to Azerbaijan amounted to 0.1%.


In the first quarter of 2026, the volume of foreign direct
investment in Azerbaijan’s economy reached $1.720 billion. This is
$201.2 million, or 13.2%, more than in the same period of 2025.


In addition, it is noted that during the same period, the volume
of direct investment from Azerbaijan into foreign economies
amounted to $1.11 billion, which is $794.7 million, or 3.5 times,
higher than the figure for the same period last year.


Meanwhile, in an exclusive interview with Trend, Tadeusz Białek,
president of the Polish Bank Association (PBA), stated that
goodwill and mutual respect between our peoples create favorable
conditions for the further development of economic cooperation
between the two countries.


According to him, the Polish Bankers’ Association’s sustained
cooperation with the Azerbaijan Bankers’ Association (ABA) began in
2024.


"In November 2024, we organized a study visit for Azerbaijani
bankers who are experts in cybersecurity and payment systems. Two
weeks later, in early December 2024, during a visit to Poland by
ABA Director General Yunus Abdulov, we signed a Memorandum of
Cooperation and Development of Bilateral Relations. "In October
2025, we hosted another ABA delegation, this time consisting of
specialists in retail banking and bancassurance, for whom a study
tour with a customized program was also organized," he said.


The PBA President noted that delegations from the Association of
Polish Banks visited Baku in 2024 and 2025.







He emphasized that he views the development of the partnership
between the banking associations of Poland and Azerbaijan
positively.


As Tadeusz Białek stated, no joint working groups or permanent
platforms for exchanging experience between the two associations
have been established at this time.


"First, we need to gain a deeper understanding of the scope of
activities of both associations, as well as the specific features
of how the banking systems in each country operate. Azerbaijan’s
banking system offers high-quality payment services using
cutting-edge technological solutions. The ABA is also actively
engaged in professional development, offering educational programs
that ensure a high professional standard among employees of the
association’s member banks. This year, we plan to organize another
study visit to Poland for a group of Azerbaijani bankers, so the
process of exploring avenues for closer cooperation will continue,"
he noted.


Furthermore, Białek noted that, as of the end of 2024, exports
from Poland to Azerbaijan amounted to approximately $128 million,
while imports from Azerbaijan to Poland totaled about $8.5
million.


"This represents less than 0.05% of Poland’s total exports and
less than 0.01% of its imports. Of course, trade volumes are
growing steadily year after year, but current figures remain
relatively low. At present, the trade finance divisions of our
countries’ banks are successfully meeting the needs of businesses
on both sides, and we have not received any indications of serious
problems," he said.


The President of the PBA noted that the goodwill and mutual
respect between our peoples create favorable conditions for the
further development of economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and
Poland.


"Thanks to the beauty of Azerbaijan’s natural landscapes and its
traditional hospitality, the flow of tourists from Poland is
growing. Close ties between our banking associations will also
contribute to the further development of cooperation between our
countries, which will benefit both sides," Tadeusz Białek
concluded.