Once again, LOTOS Oil S.A. was awarded the title of Ambassador of the Polish Economy, winning this year's competition for the title in the 'Export 2013' category.

This prestigious competition is held under the auspices of the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs and its aim is to enhance the positive image of the companies, members of the Business Centre Club, and to promote them by awarding outstanding examples of best practices in international relations.

- By exporting our products, we increase our sales volumes, keep our business stable, and are able to compete with the largest players on global markets. Export is a permanent and consistently implemented aspect of our company's strategy - said Robert Bialik, President of the Management Board of LOTOS Oil S.A. - Our export services include not only sale of lubricants, but also consultancy and technical support for the customers buying our products. We are committed to developing this sales segment - he added.

2013 was a very successful year. The company's sales growth reached 20% year on year, with margins at a satisfactory level. - But we have accomplished much more than that. Each of our trading partners is now our ambassador, helping us to enter a new country, a new market. And I know from my own experience that it is not always the case - added Cezary Kogucik, Head of Exports at LOTOS Oil S.A.

 
In the picture (from left to right): Barłomiej Indeka (Direct Sales Director at LOTOS Oil), Minister Katarzyna Kacperczyk, and Marek Goliszewski (President of the BCC)

The company's exports reached record-high levels last year, in terms of both volumes and value. LOTOS oils and lubricants were sold in 57 countries, for the first time including such markets as China, UAE, Equatorial Guinea, as well as Iran and Iraq.

- It is only natural that we are constantly looking for new markets. We are already present on most European and Asian markets. We are expanding our business into South America and we are looking closely at the possibilities of entering Middle East markets - says Cezary Kogucik.

However, this year is going to be more difficult. - For the past couple of years, we have successfully sold our products on the Russian and Ukrainian markets, but due to the current political situation, it would be difficult to deliver equally good results. We have already managed to relocate some part of our exports intended for these markets, however, it is a time-consuming process and the effects of this 'substitution' are yet to come - explains C. Kogucik.

On other markets, where LOTOS maintains a stable position (the Baltic states, the Balkans, or Central European countries such as Hungary or the Czech Republic), LOTOS' exports are growing in line with the adopted strategy. - Our most important task for this and the next year is to consolidate our existing relations and to build new, lasting relations with trading partners abroad - concludes Robert Bialik.

Communications Office, Grupa LOTOS S.A., ul. Elbląska 135, 80-718 Gdańsk, Poland, tel. (+48) 58 308 87 31, (+48) 58 308 83 88, e-mail: media@grupalotos.pl