Don't give up on Poland, ambassador tells China

"Both sides should not get discouraged or distracted by initial failures,” declared Ambassador Tadeusz Chomicki in an interview with Chinese media.

Chomicki described the recent failures as “stemming from a lack of experience or insufficient understanding of mutual differences in cultural and legal frameworks.”

In 2009, the Chinese consortium COVEC won contracts to build two sections of Poland's emerging A2 motorway.

COVEC was due to realise the project at a considerably lower cost than the European norm, a factor which ruffled feathers in Poland's construction industry.

Many local sub-contractors boycotted the project, amid fears that it would set a precedent of European firms being undercut.

COVEC ultimately slipped into major financial problems, and the Chinese were compelled to abandon the motorway this June.

President of COVEC, Mr Fang Yuanming, was discharged from his position this month, as a result of the Polish affair.

Poland, which was aiming for the road to be ready for the Euro 2012 soccer championships, is seeking compensation for breach of contract. (nh/pg)

Source: China Daily