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 Juni – 1 Juli 2008
Das Vienna Economic Forum entwickelt sich weiter und wächst beständig, sodass mit dem Pleven Meeting die erste Konferenz der neuen Veranstaltungsreihe begann – Vienna Economic Talks.
Vienna Economic Talks – Pleven Meeting fand in der siebtgrößten Stadt Bulgariens, Pleven, statt, ein Ort typisch für die Probleme von mittelgroßen Städten.
Das Meeting wurde in enger Zusammenarbeit mit dem bulgarischen Ministerium für Regionale Entwicklung und Bauwirtschaft und S.E. Minister Herr Asen Gagauzov, mit der freundlichen Gastfreundschaft des Bürgermeisters von Pleven, Herrn Naiden Zelenogorski, in Kooperation mit vielen Gemeindevertretern und Entscheidungsträgern auf Gemeindeebene verschiedener Städten Bulgariens veranstaltet.
Der Präsident des Vienna Economic Forum, Vizekanzler a.D. Dr. Erhard Busek und Generalsekretärin Botschafterin a.D. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva freuten sich, 30 Bürgermeister von bulgarischen Munizipalitäten und 21 Vertreter der österreichischen Firmen - Mitglieder des Vienna Economic Forum zu begrüßen.
Die Themen umfassten Regionale Entwicklung / Städtesanierung, Transportprobleme, das Müllproblem sowie die Situation von Wasser und Abwasser. Der erfolgreiche erste Konferenztag wurde für Präsentationen und zahlreiche Diskussionen genutzt, während der zweite Tag Raum für bilaterale Gespräche zwischen österreichischen Investoren und bulgarischen Munizipalitäten bot.
Invest in Albania - Invest in the Region
8 – 9 June 2008
Sheraton Hotel Tirana
Vienna Economic Forum – Tirana Meeting unter der Patronanz von S.E. Prof. Dr. Sali BERISHA, Premierminister von Albanien, war ein großer Erfolg. Das Forum wurde von mehr als 250 Teilnehmern aus 20 Ländern besucht, 33 Firmen aus Österreich und 140 Firmen aus der Region sowie des Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), der European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), des International Monetary Fund (IMF), und des Energy Community Secretariat Vienna.
In seiner Welcome Address gab S.E. Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, Premierminister von Albanien and Patron des Vienna Economic Forum, ein Statement zur Bedeutung von Investments in Albanien als ein Mittel zur erfolgreichen Vorbereitung der europäischen Integration.
In seinem Eröffnungs-Statement unterstrich der Präsident des Vienna Economic Forum, Vizekanzler a.D. Dr. Erhard Busek die exzellente wirtschaftliche Entwicklung von Albanien in den letzten Jahren und die Investitionsmöglichkeiten, die ausländische Investoren anziehen.
Die Generalsekretärin des Vienna Economic Forum, Botschafterin a.D. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, unterstrich die wichtige Rolle der regionalen Kooperation als eine Vorbedingung für die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung der gesamten Region. Kooperation ist auch für den Informationsaustausch über wirtschaftliche Interessen von großer Bedeutung.
Zahlreiche albanische Minister und Regierungsmitglieder nahmen am Vienna Economic Forum – Tirana Meeting teil, sowohl als Sprecher als auch an bilateralen Gesprächen:
- I.E. Ms. Jozefina Topalli, Speaker of the Albanian Government
- S.E. Mr. Genc Ruli, Minister of Economy, Trade and Energy of the Republic of Albania
- S.E. Mr. Sokol Olldashi, Minister of Public Works, Transportation and Telecommunication of the Republic of Albania
- S.E. Minister Nard Ndoka, Minister for Health of the Republic of Albania
- Herr Florjon Mima, Deputy Minister for Finance of the Republic of Albania</st1:placename>
Eine österreichische Parlamentsdelegation nahm mit hochrangigen Mitgliedern teil:
- Dr. Michael Spindelegger, Second President of the Austrian Parliament
- Frau Christa Kranzl, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology of the Government of Austria
- Herr Wolfgang Großruck, Chairman of the parliamentary Group Austria-Albania of the Austrian Parliament
- Frau Ursula Haubner, Member of the Austrian National Council of the Austrian Parliament
- Herr Stefan Schennach, Member of the Austrian Federal Council of the Austrian Parliament
- Herr Andreas Schieder, Chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the Austrian Parliament
- Herr Wolfgang Zanger, Member of the Austrian National Council of the Austrian Parliament
Als ein wichtiger Teil des Forums, der die intensive Kooperation zwischen Albanien und Österreich zeigt, fand die Ceremony of Signing of the Agreement “Technology related cooperation in the health sector” zwischen Österreich und Albanien mit S.E. Minister Nard Ndoka, Minister für Gesundheit der Republik Albanien und Staatssekretärin des österreichischen Bundesministeriums für Transport, Innovation und Technologie, Frau Christa Kranzl, statt. Dies ist ein praktisches Ergebnis der österreichisch-albanischen Kooperation.
Die Themen der drei Plenary Sessions waren:
- 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
Nach zwei Tagen intensiver Diskussionen und Gesprächen erhielten wir viel positives Feedback von Teilnehmern verschiedener Länder und neue Ideen für eine weitere Kooperation in der Region.
Invest in Montenegro - Invest in the Region
14 - 15 April 2008
Montenegro, Hotel Splendid Bečići
Vienna Economic Forum - Montenegro Meeting unter der Patronanz von S.E. Milo Djukanovic, Premierminister von Montenegro, war ein Erfolg. Das Montenegro Meeting wurde in Becici, gelegen an der Budva Küste, abgehalten. Über 230 Teilnehmer von 21 Ländern nahmen teil, und auch von South-East European Co-operation Process (SEECP), der Southeast European Cooperative Initiative (SECI) des Council of Europe, von der EU Kommission, der OSCE, des United Nations Development Program (UNDP), der International Finance Corporation - World Bank Group.
In seiner Welcome Address gab S.E. Milo ĐUKANOVIĆ, Premierminister von Montenegro und Patron des Vienna Economic Forum, ein Statement über die Rolle von Investment in Montenegro als ein Mittel in Richtung einer erfolgreichen Vorbereitung zur Europäischen Integration.
Der Präsident des Vienna Economic Forum, Vizekanzler a.D. Dr. Erhard Busek hat in seinem Eröffnungsstatement die hervorragende wirtschaftliche Entwicklung von Montenegro in den letzten Jahren hervorgehoben und die Investitionsmöglichkeiten, die für ausländische Investoren von Interesse sind.
Die Generalsekretärin des Vienna Economic Forum, Botschafterin Dr. Elena Kirtcheva hob die wichtige Rolle der regionalen Kooperation als eine wichtige Voraussetzung für die Wirtschaftsentwicklung der gesamten Region hervor. Kooperation ist auch für den Informationsaustausch von großer Bedeutung, für wirtschaftliche Interessen und speziell für die Themen, die auf der Agenda für das Montenegro Meeting standen.
Zahlreiche Montenegrinische Minister nahmen am Vienna Economic Forum – Montenegro Meeting teil, sowohl mit Reden als auch an den bilateralen Gesprächen:
- S.E. Dr. Vujica LAZOVIC, Deputy Premierminister für Wirtschaftspolitik der Montenegrinischen Regierung
- S.E. Branimir GVOZDENOVIC, Minister für Wirtschaftsentwicklung der Montenegrinischen Regierung
- S.E. Dr. Igor LUKSIC, Minister für Finanzen der Montenegrinischen Regierung
- S.E. Dr. Andrija LOMPAR, Minister für Transport, Maritime Angelegenheiten und Telecommunikation der Montenegrinischen Regierung
- S.E. Mr. Predrag NENEZIĆ, Minister für Tourismus und Umweltschutz der Montenegrinischen Regierung
- S.E. Mr. Jusuf KALAMPEROVIC, Minister für Interne Angelegenheiten und Öffentliche Administration der Montenegrinischen Regierung
Drei Plenar-Sessions haben die folgenden Themen behandelt:
- Investment Policy and Infrastructure Projects
- Investment Opportunities in Montenegro
- Investment Experiences and Investment Needs in Montenegro
Die Möglichkeit, bilaterale Gespräche mit dem Premierminister, Montenegrinischen Ministern und mit hohen Vertretern von Montenegrinischen Firmen zu halten, wurde von den Mitgliedern des Vienna Economic Forum sehr geschätzt. Die Resultate sind eine erfolgreiche Basis für eine weitere Zusammenarbeit, an der sowohl österreichische, montenegrinische als auch internationale Firmen Interesse haben.
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