Category: Events
Nicolas Rytel
Member of the Audit Committee
Nicolas Rytel is a partner at Ernst and Young Audit Polska /Poland FAAS Leader. Nicolas has over 20 years of audit experience in the US and Eastern Europe, including Russia, Poland and Slovenia; broad, comprehensive in serving multinational corporations in the technology and media, consumer products, retail and telecommunications industries as well as extensive SEC and SOX experience. Nicolas is an expert in reporting under IFRS and US GAAP, as well as, conducting integrated audits (SOX 404).
Nicholas has extensive experience in serving national and international companies, particularly in the retail, industrial and public sector. List of clients includes: Tech Data, Globe Trade Centre, MIDAS, Dr Gerard, Stanley Black & Decker, Hines, Colliers International, Skanska, PHILIPS, WARNER BROS, SECO/WARWICK, CEDC International, ORACLE, Curver Poland, Fedex Express Polska.
Academic CV and training: Bachelor of Commerce, Specialist in Finance and Accounting from University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. Nicolas has a high level of technical knowledge of US GAAP, IFRS and Local GAAP. He is a Certified Public Accountant in the US (CPA). Nicolas is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
Winter Reception 2018
On February 15th, 2018, the 7th edition of the Winter Reception took place at the Embassy of Canada. The event was well attended with over 150 guests. The evening’s guest speaker was Mr. Piotr Kowalski, an independent observer of the Polish economic and political scene with a 20-year career as head of CEE for Fitch Ratings, who provided commentary on short- and long-term perspectives for Poland’s development.
We wish to thank our Sponsors and Partners for their generous support:
Gold Maple Leaf Sponsors:
CGI
KGHM Polska Miedź
Silver Maple Leaf Sponsors:
Air Canada
Bombardier
Bronze Maple Leaf Sponsors:
GRC
HDI Rathdowney
JF Legal
Miedzi Copper
Polish Re
RM Legal
Partners:
Bireta Professional Translations
OSTC Fx
Perła Browary
Historic CETA provisionally effective from 21 September 2017
CETA now effective with provisional application from today. The groundbreaking progressive type of trade agreement covers supports economic growth together with broader effects on areas such as workers’ rights and environmental protection. For more details from the press release of the Embassy of Canada, please see link below.
CETA update from Steve Verheul
The PCCC and the Embassy of Canada were delighted to host a breakfast meeting on February 25th at the Hotel Sheraton with Mr. Steve Verheul, Canada’s Chief Trade Negotiator for CETA.
Mr. Verheul’s return attendance was enthusiatically received by business people with an interest in expanding trade between Europe and Canada. Mr. Verheul provided an update on the agreement and next steps for ratification and implementation of CETA. Following his talk was a Q&A.
Winter Reception 2015
The Winter Reception took place on Thursday, February 12th in the Canada Room of the Embassy of Canada. The evening’s theme was Festivals of Canada
to highlight the variety of world class events hosted in Canada annually including the Dragon Boat Festival, Calgary Stampede, Caribana, Toronto International Film Festival, Quebec Winter Carnival and Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race. Adding to the evening’s festivities was excellent Canadian wine from both the Niagara and Okanagan regions. The reception was rounded out with a prize draw that gave away a poster size Canadian flag, a one litre bottle of maple syrup, a bottle of ice cider, a Dying Light video game collectors‘ boxset, a dinner for two at Mielżyński and an air ticket to Canada
We wish to give warm recognition to our event sponsors and prize sponsors for their support to make the Winter Reception a successful event.
Event Sponsors:
Bergman Engineering
CFE Polska
Kan-Bud
Miedzi Copper
Perła Browary
Prize Sponsors:
Air France/KLM
Embassy of Canada
Mielżyński Wine and Bar
PJM Shipping and Trading
Techland
The Canadian Governor General pays first official visit to Poland.
HE The Right Honourable David Johnston together with HE Mrs. Sharon Johnston paid a state visit to Poland October 23-26.
The program included aspects of business, academic, history and culture in the cities of Warsaw, Kraków and Oświęcim. On October 23, His Excellency was officially welcomed by President Bronisław Komorowski at the Presidential Palace where a review of the military guard of honour took place. Later in the day, the Polish Canadian Chamber of Commerce was honoured to hold a business luncheon for over 100 guests where His Excellency addressed key leaders of the business community on the trends, challenges and opportunities between Poland and Canada. He also highlighted the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and its impact on strengthening and diversifying bilateral trade, investment and innovation projects.
The following days on October 25 and 26, the Governor General was in Kraków and Oświęcim. The visit in Kraków included Rakowicki Cementary, Waweł Castle, and Innovation Round Table at AGH University of Science and Technology, while the Canadian delegation viewed the grounds at Oświęcim and pay tribute to those who lost their lives here during WWII.
HE Sharon Johnston took part in other events together with First Lady Anna Komorowska that included a roundtable with Polish NGO’s on current social issues, visit to the Museum of the History of Polish Jews, a scholarship presentation to underprivileged Polish youth, and a visit to Life Farm (Centre for Autistic Young Adults) where support for vocational training is offered.
The Polish Canadian Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the following companies for their support in organization of the business luncheon:
BlackBerry
Bombardier Transportation
InPost
Miedzi Copper
SUM Poland
TriGranit Development Polska
UCan Universal
Canada Day Picnic At Wilanow Golf Club
This year’s annual Canada Day Picnic was held on Sunday June 29 at the Wilanow Golf Club.
After the morning’s rain, by lunchtime the weather cleared and the afternoon was pleasant and the perfect day for a family fun day in the sun. On this day to be remembered by many, the Polish-Canadian Chamber Of Commerce, with support from the Canadian Embassy, organised an activity-filled event that was enjoyed by the children and their parents. The event was attended by more than 100 people, including Ambassador Bugailiskis and her husband.
During the afternoon, the kids and their parents were invited to play mini-golf as well as participate in a number of competitive events. The competitions included a 3-round obstacle course challenge, followed by a three-legged race, a spoon-and-egg race and a sack race. The final event was a tug-of-war with parents and children and the third round finished spectacularly when the rope broke. In the background, there was face-painting and all-Canadian music played in the air. Even the Ambassador and her husband joined in with the fun and they obviously enjoyed themselves immensely. The sports events were followed by a short presentation by the Ambassador and then the Canada Trivia Quiz, with our Sponsors contributing great prizes for the correct answers given.
As usual, there was a huge amount of wonderfully-tasting food and ample supply of refreshments in the form of wine, beer and juices. Towards the end of the afternoon, the National Anthem was sung and a huge cake was cut and served to the guests.
The PCCC would like to thank the following Organisations for making this day possible and very enjoyable:
Patrons:
Blackberry
Miller Canfield
EY
KGHM
Redknee
Sponsors:
Air Canada
maple tree
Sheraton
Supporting Members:
Government of Canada
ICS Polska
Miedzicopper
AirFrance / KLM & Delta
Pratt & Whitney
Vac Aero
The Canadian School Of Warsaw
PJM Shipping & Trading
Perła
The afternoon was enjoyed by all. Count the smiles in the small selection of photos below and you will see why you need to attend the Canada Day Picnic next year!
Meeting with Minister of Finance the Hon. Joe Oliver
Canada’s Minister Of Finance, the Honourable Joe Oliver, addressed guests at a breakfast meeting jointly organised by the Canadian and Belgian Chambers of Commerce, with participation of the International Group of Chambers Of Commerce (IGCC).
Mr. Oliver shared with the audience his perspective on Canada’s success story, describing the policies behind the prosperity and sustainable public finances. He also put forward his views on the challenges and the opportunities facing the European and Global economies. His presentation was followed by his responses to questions asked by a number of guests.
The Breakfast meeting was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Warsaw on June 27 and was attended by about 50 guests.
Visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. John Baird
The Hon. John Baird, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, was in Poland on May 24th for official meetings that included a visit to the Auschwitz Nazi death camp, accompanied by Ambassador Bugailiskis.
Minister Baird met later that day with Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Radek Sikorski, for talks concerning Europe’s security and the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
In the evening, a reception was given by the Embassy later where Minister Baird spoke briefly of his meeting with Mr. Sikorski. Mr. Baird revealed that he had conveyed a message of Canada’s continuing desire to improve economic relations with Poland and to support efforts to ensure Ukraine’s independence.