14 April 2021
Dzień Dobry. Thank you Ms. Dziewguć and congratulations on your role as Country Manager of Google Cloud Poland.
This is a monumental moment where we welcome the expansion of the commitment to the Polish people and economy by one of the most innovative companies in American tech: Google. The United States of America is thrilled to continue our ever-evolving economic partnership with Poland.
The United States remains the largest foreign investor here, outside of the European Union. That translates to over $60 billion invested by American companies in Poland. Google is adding close to $2 billion to that number by expanding cloud services.
While that is impressive, the true value of those services far exceeds any dollar or zloty amount. Let me be clear: U.S. investment reflects U.S. values. Rest assured American companies, and American products, are the world’s gold standard. Not every country stands behind those principles. You don’t know what you’ll get from an authoritarian regime like China. Our policies are publicly available and developed through open processes; theirs are not. We offer a free and open system backed by transparency, inclusion, fair play, and high regulatory standards. In the United States, our businesses are held to the highest of standards. American companies bring that with them wherever they go around the globe.
Google is one of the most iconic brands in the world. It is a champion for diversity, with a goal to build a workforce that is representative of its users. Under President Joseph Biden, the United States government has the same mindset: we are building the most diverse group of cabinet positions ever. At the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulate in Poland, we also ensure a number of different and unique voices are heard through the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council. As an Albanian-American in charge of our relationship with Poland, I couldn’t be prouder that no matter your race, religion, gender, color, age, ability or disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, when you work alongside America, anyone can have a fair shot.
The United States strives to lead the way in making the world a better and cleaner place. We are committed to addressing the climate crisis, and Google is right there with us. They have one of the most ambitious goals in big tech – to operate on carbon free energy in 2030. Their commitment to clean energy is matched by Google’s positive influence on the communities they call home, in Poland and around the world. At the start of the pandemic Google was one of the first U.S. companies to support Poland. They worked with the Polish government to fight COVID-19 disinformation campaigns. Google stepped up to support schools offering free software to get classes running online. The company provided Polish entrepreneurs with teleworking tools to keep them going through the lockdowns. Google donated too, alongside 80 other American companies, to assist Poland in the fight against COVID-19, totaling upwards of $60 million dollars.
The battle against COVID-19 isn’t over. The pandemic’s impact on our global economy makes it challenging for countries to add high-paying, high-quality jobs. Google’s new cloud services will create those jobs, jobs of the future right here in Poland, including positions like Strategic Cloud Engineers and Data Architects. This reflects the ongoing investment by U.S. companies in Poland and commitment to long-term economic cooperation. More than 1,500 American companies with American capital have created over 260-thousand jobs in Poland, supporting economic growth for both of our countries. This cooperation is mutually beneficial; when we work together the sky – or should I say the cloud – is the limit.
American companies know that there is a large tech talent pool here in Poland, which is attractive for businesses in the industry. The United States Embassy in Warsaw and the U.S. Consulate in Krakow foster that growth by providing workshops and programs to promote entrepreneurship and education in areas like tech and innovation. We want that success to continue.
In Poland, as in the United States, small businesses are the backbone of a strong economy. Google has partnered with Poland’s Domestic Cloud Provider to help small businesses get on board with the Cloud, and grow, which leads to more jobs, more opportunities, and more investments. During the pandemic, many of us have seen first-hand how important a digital safety net can be, and not just for tech companies. MoonDot in Poznań is already one Google success story; they used the company’s digital tools to improve online sales by 70%. Now that small studio which makes handmade baskets and seat cushions is looking to hire even more employees as a result.
This region truly is a hotspot for innovation, it’s the perfect place for tech development. The Three Seas Initiative is driving that digital growth in Poland and 11 other central and eastern European member states who belong to the forum. The goal, which Google supports, is to further advance a digital layer enhancing links between the region. The United States has been and will continue to be a strong advocate of the Three Seas Initiative and its support for transformative digital growth in the region.
This investment represents yet another major milestone in U.S.-Polish relations. Our friendship goes beyond economic connections though: over 10-million Americans claim Polish heritage. I grew up in Chicago where millions of Poles live; Poland has been a part of my world from the beginning. We want Poland to succeed. When our allies succeed, the United States succeeds.
As President Biden has said, “our alliances are our greatest asset.” I couldn’t agree more. We are stronger together.
Once again, I’d like to thank Google and everyone else watching remotely.
Stay safe and stay healthy, friends.
