Vienna Economic Talks - Sarajevo Meeting
in cooperation with the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina
27-28 September 2009
6th Vienna Economic Forum
9-10 November 2009
Invest in Kosovo - Invest in the Region
25 - 26 March 2009
Hotel Grand, Pristina, Kosovo
Vienna Economic Talks – Pristina Meeting was held on 25-26 March 2009 in Grand Hotel Pristina.
Dr. Erhard Busek, Former Vice-Chancellor of the Republic of Austria and President of Vienna Economic Forum and Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva welcomed more than 180 participants from 19 countries and also from the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), from the EU International Civilian Office, from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and World Bank.
The high representatives of the Government of Kosovo were:
- H.E. Mr. Hashim THAÇI, Prime Minister of the Government of Kosovo
- H.E. Mr. Ahmet SHALA, Minister of Economy and Finance of Kosovo
- H.E. Mr. Lutfi ZHARKU, Minister of Trade and Industry of Kosovo
- H.E. Dr. Justina SHIROKA-PULA, Minister of Energy and Mining of Kosovo
- H.E. Mr. Fatmir LIMAJ, Minister of Transport and Telecommunication of Kosovo
furthermore from the Government of Macedonia:
- H.E. Dr. Fatmir BESIMI, Minister of Economy of Macedonia
- H.E. Musa XHAFERI, Minister of Local–Self Government of Macedonia
During two days of intense discussions, round tables and exchange of experience the topics were:
- Investment Policy and Opportunities in Kosovo
- Investment Opportunities in the Energy Sector, Infrastructure, Finance
- Transport, Telecommunication, Post, Linking
Secretary General Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva in her Statement mentioned the advantage that business growth is expected in the next years in Kosovo's energy and transportation infrastructure. According to the latest news, Kosovo expects economic growth and is planning large privatizations. The government has turned Kosovo into one of the countries with the lowest tax burdens. This all provides a good basis for further and more intensive Cooperation and the Cooperation is a key word in the concept and in the vision of Vienna Economic Forum. Kosovo has opened a good atmosphere for business and investment.
The President of Vienna Economic Forum Dr. Erhard Busek stated he is very pleased to see so many positive changes in Kosovo during the last few years. The Representatives of Kosovo Government, including H.E. Prime Minister Thaci and Ministers of Trade and Industry, Transportation and Telecommunication, Energy and Mining, have invited foreign investors to invest in Kosovo and have guaranteed their commitment to further improving the investment climate.
VIENNA ECONOMIC TALKS
The Financial Market Crisis: Effects and Implications for South-Eastern Europe
27 February 2009, Oesterreichische Nationalbank, Vienna, Austria
Vienna Economic Forum organised in cooperation with Oesterreichische Nationalbank on 27 February 2009 Vienna Economic Talks – The Financial Market Crisis: Effects and Implications for South-Eastern Europe.
The meeting was opened by Dr. Peter Zöllner, Director of Oesterreichische Nationalbank, who in his Welcome Statement said he is glad to see Oesterreichische Nationalbank as the host of such an important meeting of the region of South-Eastern Europe and to welcome many Governors of the region of Vienna Economic Forum.
Secretary General Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva in her Statement was proud to introduce the newly created Vienna Economic Forum Governors Committee.
The Governors Committee was established with the official support from the Governors of the Member Countries of Vienna Economic Forum (Austria, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia) with the aim to encourage the meeting and cooperation of the institutions and persons, whose positions, capacities and knowledge are in demand today.
The Sessions in the first half of the day were
- SESSION 1: Global Financial Market Crisis: Spill-over Effects on CESEE Economies
- SESSION 2: Financial and Banking Sector Developments in CESEE
In the afternoon the Panel Discussion: “The Financial Market Crisis: Current Challenges and Future Perspectives” was moderated by Dr. Erhard Busek, President of Vienna Economic Forum. Dr. Busek underlined the importance of such a meeting to increase the exchange of experience amongst experts and clearly define a strategy.
In the Round Table with the Governors of the National Banks of the Region of South-East Europe, Members of the Governors Committee of Vienna Economic Forum, Vienna Economic Forum could welcome the following Governors and one Vice Governor of the region:
- Ewald NOWOTNY, Governor, Oesterreichische Nationalbank
- Ardian FULLANI , Governor, National Bank of Albania
- Ivan ISKROV, Governor, National Bank of Bulgaria
- Petar GOSHEV, Governor, National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia
- Ljubiša KRGOVIC, Governor, National Bank of Montenegro
- Victor CIBOTARU, First Vice Governor, National Bank of the Republic of Moldova
The concept of cooperation is the concept of Vienna Economic Forum which has been successfully experienced in the last five years since its founding. Following the wish of many participants of the meeting for further cooperation, Ambassador Dr. Kirtcheva stated she is convinced that cooperation is the key word, and the need for cooperation, especially in times like these, is even more evident. And this meeting should be only the beginning of a series of meetings on current topics which require close cooperation and further development. Vienna Economic Forum remains committed organising such meetings.
Investment Possibilities from the Adriatic to the Black Sea and the Caspian Region. Take the Real Chance
10 – 11 November 2008 in Raiffeisen Zentral Bank in Vienna
Topics:
- Financing of Investments. Assistance from the EU and International Finance Institutions
- Energy: Responsibility for the Future
- Connecting and Linking: Transport Corridors, Post, Telecommunication
- Corporate Responsibility in the field of Education – Challenges for the Investors in the Region
At this year’s 5th Jubilee Vienna Economic Forum on November 10 and 11, 2008 President Dr. Erhard Busek and Secretary General Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva had the great pleasure to welcome around 500 participants from 37 countries throughout the world. Beside our honourable VIP-Guests, Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers from our Member countries, high ranking representatives from OPEC, Energy Community Secretariat, IETI Europa (Institute for European Training and Information), South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), Regional Cooperation Council located in Sarajevo and UNIDO, United Nations Industrial Development Organization) took part in the meeting.
The Opening Speech was held by Former Vice Chancellor Dr. Erhard Busek, President of Vienna Economic Forum who pointed out the growing importance of the South-East European region despite the present financial situation, and underlined the necessity of regional cooperation.
A welcome Address was given by Dr. Herbert Stepic, Chairman of Raiffeisen International Bank-Holding AG, Vice Chairman of RZB AG and Member of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum, who hosted the Forum again this year. Dr. Stepic mentioned that the countries from the region can and will handle the financial crisis, and that a fast action of the local governments and central banks would be necessary.
Congratulations came from H.E. Dr. Martin Bartenstein, Austrian Federal Minister of Economy and Labour and Dr. Veit Sorger, President of the Federation of Austrian Industry and Founding Member of Vienna Economic Forum. H.E. Minister Bartenstein in his statement saw the European perspective and a future EU membership as the driving force for the political and economic development of South-East Europe.
Further speakers during the first Plenary Session were Mr. Hidajet Biscevic, Secretary General of the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) and Regional Cooperation Council and Mr. Theodore Ahlers, Director of Strategy and Operations of the World Bank.
Dr. Wolfgang Ruttenstorfer, CEO of OVM AG and Founding Member of Vienna Economic Forum and H.E. Dr. Vujica Lazovic, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy of Montenegro, introduced the audience to the Energy topic of the Round Table on the first day.
The first plenary session after the opening speeches carried the name “Energy: Responsibility for the Future” and was chaired by Director Slavtcho Neykov. The panel included Members of the Board from the leading Austrian energy companies, OMV, EVN, Verbund and Siemens.
The high interest during the conference in the finance topic, and the presence of some Finance Ministers induced the organisation of a special Q and A MINISTERS SESSION with:
· H.E. Mr. Vjekoslav BEVANDA, Minister of Finance, Bosnia and Herzegovina
· H.E. Mr. Aleksandar DZOMBIC, Minister of Finance, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
· H.E. Dr. Trajko SLAVESKI, Minister of FinanceMacedonia
· H.E. Mr. Musa Xhaferi, Minister of Local Self Government, Macedonia
· Mr. Valentin IVANOV, Deputy Minister of Economy and Energy, Bulgaria
· Mr. Iurie MUNTEAN, Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade, Moldova
· Mr. Oleksandr Kupchyshyn, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ukraine
It was a pleasure for Vienna Economic Forum to welcome so many important Ministers, Deputy Ministers and high-ranking representatives from companies in Austria and in the region.
Secretary General Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva stated she is glad to see Vienna Economic Forum grow to be a useful platform and distinguished place for meetings and exchange and to support and develop common projects in the Region of South-East Europe as a part of a united Europe. And this with the help of the most important economic capacities of today - with confidence. In addition, Ambassador Dr. Kirtcheva extended the motto of Vienna Economic Forum: “Go South East – Go Ahead”.
30 June – 1 July 2008
Vienna Economic Forum is further developing and grows, so that with Pleven Meeting the first conference of a new series of events began – Vienna Economic Talks.
Vienna Economic Talks – Pleven Meeting took place in the seventh largest city of Bulgaria, Pleven, a municipality with typical problems.
The Meeting was organised in cooperation with the Bulgarian Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works and H.E. Minister Herr Asen Gagauzov and with the kind hospitality of the Mayor of Pleven, Mr. Naiden Zelenogorski in cooperation with many representatives of municipalities and decision-makers on municipality level of different Bulgarian cities
The President of Vienna Economic Forum, former Vice Chancellor Dr. Erhard Busek and Secretary General Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva were happy to welcome 30 Mayors of Bulgarian municipalities and 21 representatives of Austrian companies -Members of Vienna Economic Forum .
Topics included Regional development/municipal reconstruction, Support for the better and faster use of structural funds, the waste problem, the canalization of the outlying districts and water and waste water (new canalization, reconstruction and sewage plants. The successful first day of the conference was used for presentations and numerous discussions, while on the second day bilateral meetings between Austrian investors and Bulgarian municipalities took place.
Invest in Albania - Invest in the Region
8 – 9 June 2008
Sheraton Hotel Tirana
Vienna Economic Forum – Tirana Meeting under the Patronance of H.E. Prof. Dr. Sali BERISHA, Prime Minister of the Government of Albania has been a big success. The Forum has been visited by more than 250 people. Participants came from 20 countries, 33 companies from Austria and 140 companies from the region as well as from Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), from The Energy Community Secretariat Vienna were present.
In his Welcome Address H.E. Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, Prime Minister of the Government of Albania and Patron of Vienna Economic Forum, gave a statement about the importance of investment in Albania as a means towards a successful preparation for European integration.
In his opening Statement the President of Vienna Economic Forum, former Vice-Chancellor Dr. Erhard Busek has underlined the excellent economic development of Albania in the last years and the investment opportunities which are attractive to foreign investors.
The Secretary General of Vienna Economic Forum, Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva underlined the important role of the regional cooperation as an important precondition for the economic development of the whole Region. Cooperation is of great importance also for the exchange of information on the economic interests and especially on the topics envisaged in the agenda of the Tirana Meeting.
Numerous Albanian Ministers and Government Members participated in the Vienna Economic Forum – Tirana Meeting, both with speeches and with participation in the bilateral meetings:
- H.E. Ms. Jozefina Topalli, Speaker of the Albanian Government
- H.E. Mr. Genc Ruli, Minister of Economy, Trade and Energy of the Republic of Albania
- H.E. Mr. Sokol Olldashi, Minister of Public Works, Transportation and Telecommunication of the Republic of Albania
- H.E. Minister Nard Ndoka, Minister for Health of the Republic of Albania
- Mr. Florjon Mima, Deputy Minister for Finance of the Republic of Albania
An Austrian Parliamentary Delegation participated with high-ranking Members:
- Dr. Michael Spindelegger, Second President of the Austrian Parliament
- Ms. Christa Kranzl, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology of the Government of Austria
- Mr. Wolfgang Großruck, Chairman of the parliamentary Group Austria-Albania of the Austrian Parliament
- Ms. Ursula Haubner, Member of the Austrian National Council of the Austrian Parliament
- Mr. Stefan Schennach, Member of the Austrian Federal Council of the Austrian Parliament
- Mr. Andreas Schieder, Chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the Austrian Parliament
- Mr. Wolfgang Zanger, Member of the Austrian National Council of the Austrian Parliament
As an important part showing the intense cooperation between Albania and Austria, Vienna Economic Forum – Tirana Meeting hosted the Ceremony of Signing of the Agreement “Technology related cooperation in the health sector” between Austria and Albania with H.E. Minister Nard Ndoka, Minister for Health of the Republic of Albania and the State Secretary of the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology of Austria Mrs. Christa Kranzl. This is a practical result of the Austrian Albanian cooperation.
Three Plenary Sessions dealt with the topics
- Investment Policy: How to support and develop Investors Interests and Investment Projects in Albania
- The European Priorities in the Energy Sector for the Development of the Region
- Sustainable Economic Development in the Region – Cases of Problems, Needs and Solutions in different Sectors of the Economy
After two days of discussions and talks a lot of positive feedback from many participants from different countries and new ideas for further cooperation in the Region have arisen.
Invest in Montenegro - Invest in the Region
14 - 15 April 2008
Montenegro, Hotel Splendid Bečići
Vienna Economic Forum - Montenegro Meeting under the patronage of H.E. Milo Djukanovic, Prime Minister of Montenegro, was a success. The Montenegro Meeting was held in Becici, which is situated on the Budva Coast. Vienna Economic Forum has welcomed more than 230 participants from 21 countries, and also from the South-East European Co-operation Process (SEECP), the Southeast European Cooperative Initiative (SECI) from the Council of Europe, from EU Commission, from the OSCE, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), from International Finance Corporation - World Bank Group.
In his Welcome Address H.E. Mr. Milo ĐUKANOVIĆ, Prime Minister of the Government of Montenegro and Patron of Vienna Economic Forum, gave a statement about the importance of investment in Montenegro as a means towards a successful preparation for European integration.
In his opening Statement the President of Vienna Economic Forum, former Vice-Chancellor Dr. Erhard Busek has underlined the excellent economic development of Montenegro in the last years and the investment opportunities which are attractive to foreign investors.
The Secretary General of Vienna Economic Forum, Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva underlined the important role of the regional cooperation as an important precondition for the economic development of the whole Region. Cooperation is of great importance also for the exchange of information on the economic interests and especially on the topics envisaged in the agenda of the Montenegro Meeting.
Numerous Montenegrin Ministers participated in the Vienna Economic Forum – Montenegro Meeting, both with speeches and with participation in the bilateral meetings:
- H.E. Dr. Vujica LAZOVIC, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy of the Government of Montenegro
- H.E. Branimir GVOZDENOVIC, Minister for Economic Development of the Government of Montenegro
- H.E. Dr. Igor LUKSIC, Minister of Finance of the Government of Montenegro
- H.E. Dr. Andrija LOMPAR, Minister of Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Telecommunication of the Government of Montenegro
- H.E. Mr. Predrag NENEZIĆ, Minister of Tourism and Environmental Protection of the Government of Montenegro
- H.E. Mr. Jusuf KALAMPEROVIC, Minister of Interior Affairs and Public Administration
Three Plenary Sessions dealt with the topics:
- Investment Policy and Infrastructure Projects
- Investment Opportunities in Montenegro
- Investment Experiences and Investment Needs in Montenegro
The possibility to hold bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister, Montenegrin Ministers and with high representatives of Montenegrin companies was highly appreciated by the Members of Vienna Economic Forum. The results are a successful basis for a further cooperation, in which Austrian, Montenegrin and international companies are interested.
Invest in Moldova - Invest in the Region
20.-21. Februar 2008, Chisinau
Vienna Economic Forum – Moldova Meeting took place under the patronage of Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev.
Around 230 participants from 22 countries attended Vienna Economic Forum - Chisinau Meeting, among them prominent representatives of the Members of Vienna Economic Forum, President Dr. Erhard Busek and Secretary General Dr. Elena Kirtcheva. Furthermore, representatives of the South-East European Co-operation Process (SEECP), the newly founded Council for Regional Cooperation in Sarajevo, of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and of the International Finance Corporation - World Bank Group participated.
Moldova's President Mr. Vladimir Voronin opened Vienna Economic Forum – Moldova Meeting. He described Moldova as "the right place for future investment“. The Closing Remarks on the second day were contributed by Prime Minister Mr. Vasile Tarlev.
Most of the participants came from Moldova and Austria, but also from Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Kosovo, Croatia, Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine, USA and the United Kingdom.
Speakers were high-level Managers and international experts like
- Gheorghe Cucu, President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova
- Bruno Duthoit, General Director Orange Moldova
- Andrei Kondakov, Vice President, Black Sea Trade and Development Bank located in Thessaloniki, Greece
- Edgar Martin, General Director, Danube Logistics SRL, Moldova (owned by the Dutch EASEUR Holding BV and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development)
- H.E. Ambassador Cesare de Montis, Head of Delegation, Delegation of the European Commission in the Republic of Moldova
- Jean-Francois Myard, President of Mobiasbance, Member of Société Générale Group, France
- Nicolae Petrov, President & CEO Moldavian Airlines and Carpatair Timisoara, Romania
- Stefan D. Popa, President Director-General, Bucharest Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Romania
- Leonid Sidorenko, Principal Banker, Black Sea Trade and Development Bank
Two Plenary Sessions dealt with the following topics:
1. Investment Policy and Investment Opportunities in Moldova
2. The Role of Investment in the Infrastructure, Finance, Energy
Two Workshops:
1. Concrete Investment Projects in Infrastructure, Finance, Energy, Machinery
2. Possibilities and Perspectives for Regional Cooperation – Concrete Investment Projects in Agriculture, Transport and Communications
Results:
Important developments have already taken place in Moldova in the field of legislative adaptations to EU law and the further facilitation of foreign investment in Moldova is welcomed by the official side. MIEPO, Moldovan Investment and Export Promotion Organisation, a governmental organisation, reporting to the Ministry for Economy and Trade of the Republic of Moldova, is working in the role of facilitator of Moldovan public institutions and international business people.
In bilateral talks both the Minister for Economy and Trade, H.E. Igor Dodon and the Minister for Finances, H.E. Mihail Pop, were very helpful and gave detailed information concerning investment opportunities in Moldova and concerning the way foreign companies should proceed.
On the first conference day a press conference was organised by the Moldovan Government.
The audience from the countries of the Region actively participated in the discussions and were very interested in enlarging their networks and in making new contacts.
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