“Designing Future Society for Our Lives” – this is the guiding theme of the next edition of the world’s largest socioeconomic event. During the conference on Friday (March 29), Marshal Artur Kosicki and the chairman of the regional council, Bogusław Dębski, presented the promotion plans for the Podlaskie Voivodeship at the upcoming exhibition in Osaka, Japan.
Mariusz Dąbrowski – Director of the Business Promotion Bureau at the Marshal’s Office of the Podlaskie Voivodeship, Magdalena Łyżnicka-Sanczenko – Deputy Coordinator of the World Expo 2025 Exhibition Team, and Łukasz Seweryński – marketing expert of the World Expo 2025 Exhibition Team, were also present at the conference.
“Podlaskie will open the Polish exhibition”
– In just a year, on April 13, we will be packing up for Expo in Osaka. It has become a tradition for the Podlaskie Voivodeship to participate in every edition of the World Exhibition. The plan is to showcase our region in the best possible light from the social, cultural, and economic perspectives. Expo is also an opportunity for our entrepreneurs to present their potential, establish contacts, and collaborate with Japanese partners – as stated by Artur Kosicki.
Although the exhibition is still a year away, preparations are in full swing. The role of the Podlaskie Voivodeship is crucial because our region will open the event in the Polish Pavilion.
– Economic and cultural communities are already involved. The programme will be rich, portraying our region in a modern, energetic, and artistic manner. We have the opportunity to open the pavilion gracefully and brilliantly – Magdalena Łyżnicka-Sanczenko said.
The Podlaskie Voivodeship’s programme will revolve around themes that connect Japan and Poland. These include an appreciation for art, physical discipline, harmony, love for nature, and deep respect for tradition. Japanese visitors will have the opportunity to witness puppetry shows, pantomime, modern dance, and handicraft workshops, all featuring artists from Podlaskie.
“Robust Economic Program”
In addition to cultural exhibitions, Podlaskie is planning an economic mission that will involve representatives from companies from the agri-food, medical, and high-tech sectors.
– During the first week of the Podlaskie exhibition in Osaka, we are organising an economic mission consisting of 30-40 individuals. These will primarily be small and medium-sized enterprises, but we will also seek funding sources for larger companies. A similar scenario unfolded during the World Expo in Dubai; it turned out a single contract secured by a mission participant exceeded the total expenses spent on regional economic promotion – as stated by Mariusz Dąbrowski.
With the interests of entrepreneurs form Podlaskie in mind, the Marshal’s Office is preparing a series of activities, including:
- An economic mission to Japan involving companies from the region,
- Presenting the specifics of the Japanese market and providing expert support to businesses interested in entering the Japanese market,
- Showcasing the potential of the Podlaskie Voivodeship to the Shokokai Employers’ Association (the largest Japanese business organisation in Poland),
- An invitation to participate in the Podlaskie Economic Forum in Białystok for representatives of the Japanese Embassy in Poland, the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), and major Japanese corporations such as Mitsubishi and Itochu.
- Promoting Podlaskie through social media channels in Japan
Even before the international exhibition, projects promoting Polish and Podlaskie participation in Expo will be realised. One of the initial activities will involve painting murals in four locations: Osaka, Białystok, Katowice, and Toruń. Additionally, regional films showcasing the virtues of the participating voivodeships will be produced for the residents of Japan.
The promotional efforts leading up to Expo 2025 do not end there. A special website will be created in both Japanese and English. Furthermore, a video spot promoting the Podlaskie economy will be recorded. Materials promoting the voivodeship will also be distributed in Japanese institutions.
