#HOTCS: Marie-Pier Brunelle, Warsaw

“My job is to help Canadian businesses looking to expand to Poland to form business partnerships with local companies in the defence and security and oil and gas sectors. As this is my first posting abroad, the work is a constant source of challenges and forces me out of my comfort zone. I am learning something new every day. It’s never boring!

I recently organized a webinar on business opportunities in Poland, following the announcement of the Polish armed forces’ modernization plan. As part of this five year plan, Poland will invest the equivalent of $20 billion to replace equipment dating back to the post-Soviet era. This is an excellent business opportunity for the defence sector in Canada, particularly for companies with a comparative advantage in manufacturing equipment for armoured vehicles, communications and radar systems, land, naval and air combat systems, as well as for unmanned aerial vehicles. My work is demanding, but at the same time very rewarding. By helping Canadian businesses access the Polish market, I feel like I’m making a difference—and you can’t put a price on that!”.