Vienna Economic Forum is pleased to inform you that our Partner, the Business Advisory Council for Southeastern Europe (BAC SEE), is organizing an international investor conference on “Leadership Against Crisis: Public-Private Cooperation for Growth” with the support of the Vienna Economic Forum and in coordination with the leading Greek and Turkish business institutions (SEV, SEVE, SBBE, Greek-Turkish Chamber of Northern Greece, and TUSIAD, DEIK and MUSIAD respectively).

The event will take place in Thessaloniki on 31/5 – 1/6 on the occasion of the 15^th Anniversary of the BAC SEE network.

For more information, please visit http://www.bacseevents.com or contact the organisers at contact@bacseevents.com

Vienna Economic Forum congratulates Dr. Günter Geyer, General Manager of Vienna Insurance Group and Member of Vienna Economic Forum, to his honorary title ‘doctor honoris causa’ from the University of Economics in Bratislava.

After the foundation of the Slovak insurance company Kooperativa in 1990, Dr. Geyer was member of the board and he has been chairman of the board since 1998. He contributed significantly to the success of the leading insurance company in Slovakia.

Vienna Economic Forum congratulates Dr. Franz Wohlfahrt, President of the Board of Directors of Novomatic AG and member of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum, for the prestigious award as ‘Best Manufacturer of the Year’ for the Austrian Gaming Industries GmbH at the Totally Gaming Awards in London.

Moreover, the magazine ‘novomatic® – the world of gaming’ received the ‘Media Award’.

The annual Ordinary General Meeting of Vienna Economic Forum took place on 12 March 2012. This year’s host, Dr. Bernhard Marckhgott, Head of Public Affairs of Wiener Börse AG, invited all members to the column hall of the Vienna Stock Exchange.

Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva informed the members about the numerous activities of Vienna Economic Forum in the year 2011 and the planned events for 2012 and 2013.

President Dr. Erhard Busek welcomed the new member of the committees and cooperation partners of Vienna Economic Forum, as well as our new Member of the Board:

Mr. Dr. Wolfgang Kindl, Member of the Board, UNIQA Versicherungen AG; Mr. Wolfgang Hesoun, CEO, Siemens AG; Mr. Dr. Günther Rabensteiner, Member of the Board, Verbund AG; Mr. Peter Umundum, Member of the Board, Österreichische Post AG; Mr. Dr. Peter Harold, Chairman of the Management Board, HYPO NOE Bank Group

New in the Patrons Committee of Vienna Economic Forum are the newly elected Prime Ministers are:

• S.E. Herr Vjekoslav Bevanda, Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• S.E. Herr Zoran Milanovic, Prime Minister of Croatia
• S.E. Herr Janez Jansa, Prime Minister of Slovenia

New in the Ambassadors Committee are:

• H.E. Frau Ayse Sezgin, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey
• H.E. Frau Elena Shekerletova, Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria
• H.E. Frau Dr. Tanja Milasinovic Martinovic, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina

New in the Committee of the Presidents of the Economic Chamber of the Region is:

• Mr. Nikolin Jaka, President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tirana, Albania

New in the Governors Committee of Vienna Economic Forum are:

• Mr. Kemal Kozaric, Governor of the National Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Mr Gani Gerguri, Governor of the Central Bank of Kosovo

New in the Honorary Committee of Vienna Economic Forum are:

• Dr. Andreas Brandstetter, CEO, UNIQA Versicherungen AG
• Dr. Georg Pölzl, Chairman of the Board, CEO, Österreichische Post AG
• Mr. Wolfgang Anzengruber, CEO, Verbund AG
• Dr. Burkhard Hofer, Chairman of the Board, EVN AG

The Vienna Economic Forum-team thanks all its members and partners for their support to organise all the activities in Austria and abroad and their constant trust.

It is a pleasure for Vienna Economic Forum to welcome our new cooperation partner HYPO NOE Gruppe.

By signing the agreement, Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, Chairman of the Management Board Dr. Peter Harold and Executive Director Ms. Polina Christova agreed on a long-term cooperation between HYPO NOE Gruppe Bank AG and Vienna Economic Forum

In a solemn ceremony in the premises of the Lower Austrian Government, Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva presented the Vienna Economic Forum Award 2011 for the contribution to the economic development on the national and regional level in the countries of Vienna Economic Forum to H.E. Dr. Erwin Pröll, Governor of the Province of Lower Austria, on behalf of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum. Members of the Board and of the Ambassadors Committee of Vienna Economic Forum took part in the ceremony. 

It is a great honour for Vienna Economic Forum to count on Governor Pröll’s support for years and to be able to organise our annual Vienna Economic Forum at the end of November in the wonderful location of Palais Niederösterreich.

© NLK Filzwieser

Vienna Economic Forum and Handelskammer Schweiz-Österreich-Liechtenstein (Chamber of Commerce Switzerland-Austria-Liechtenstein) signed a memorandum of understanding as a sign for their future common efforts in Southeast Europe.

Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, Mr. Heinz Felsner, President of Handelskammer Schweiz-Österreich-Liechtenstein and Secretary General Urs Weber look forward to a possible cooperaton in the region.

Handelskammer Schweiz-Österreich-Liechtenstein is specialised in supporting companies from Switzerland and Liechtenstein to enter the Austrian or CEE-Market by providing market analyses and data as well as organising events.

Vienna Economic Forum freut sich die Daten der bevorstehenden Veranstaltungen bekannt zu geben:

3.-4. April 2012: Vienna Economic Talks - Sofia Meeting: Liberalisation of Regional Markets

• Overview of the Developments and Challenges of the Regional Market
• Liberalisation of the Energy Market - Protection of Competition
• Experiences of Foreign Investors in the Region - Innovative Technologies, Infrastructure and Environment
• Share your Visions

18.-19. Juni 2012: Vienna Economic Talks - Meet Turkey in Vienna: Turkey – Important Player in the Regional Economy

• Turkey and the Development of Regional Cooperation - The Importance of Finance and Insurance in Challenging Times
• Turkey - Important Player in the Regional Economy - Recent Economic Developments
• Energy Sector - Experiences and Concrete Success Stories - Ask the Pioneers of Regional Cooperation
• Share your Visions - Innovative Technologies, Infrastructure and Environment

Please be informed that the 20th issue of UBCCE Quarterly Bulletin is now available at;

http://ubcce.org/bulletin/UBCCE_Bulletin_No.20.pdf

Vienna Economic Forum is proud to congratulate Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, Member of Vienna Economic Forum, for their international recognition as Austrian M&A Legal Advisor of the year.

At the ceremony of the M&A awards on 8 December in London, the ‘Financial Times’ and Mergermarket nominated the international law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP as „Legal Advisor of the Year" in the category “Austria / Switzerland”.

As one among few international law firms, Freshfields has a traditionally strong presence in Central Europe. In the region alone, the firm operates with around 600 attorneys from seven locations in all areas of business law and Vienna acts as an important hub for the activities in CEE.

Dr. Willibald Plesser, Partner of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Co-Head for CEE: “In 2011 Freshfields advised numerous important deals in Austria”.

Vienna Economic Forum is pleased to welcome the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce & Industry as a new partner.

Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the President of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov, on the occasion of a working visit to Sofia. 

The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce & Industry is an independent association whose purpose is to support, promote, represent and protect the business activities of its members, as well as to contribute to the European and international integration of the Republic of Bulgaria.

®BCCI

Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva was pleased to welcome Via Expo Ltd., Organizer of International Specialized Exhibitions, Bulgaria, Ms. Maya Kristeva and Ms. Desislava Ivanova in the premises of Vienna Economic Forum.

Topics were the good cooperation in the frame of the 8th Vienna Economic Forum, and further steps for the year 2012 were discussed.

Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva cordially congratulates Cercle Diplomatique, the leading Austrian Magazine for Diplomats and International Organisations, to its 40^th anniversary. On this occasion, Consul Prof. Waltraud Steinböck, media partner of Vienna Economic forum, hosted a reception at the elegant Hôtel de France, where numerous high ranking guest also celebrated her 15^th anniversary as editor of Cercle Diplomatique.

Working visit of President Dr. Nikolin Jaka at Vienna Economic Forum

Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva was pleased to welcome the President of the Albanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Nikolin Jaka, and the Chamber’s Representative in Vienna, Aselita Köstinger, for a work meeting in the premises of Vienna Economic Forum.

They used the occasion of the working visit to discuss the cooperation with Vienna Economic Forum and the future steps to deepen this cooperation. They talked about Albania’s positive economic development and the organization of “Vienna Economic Talks - Meet Albania in Vienna” in the year 2012.

Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva was pleased to welcome Ambassador H.E.  Galib Israfilov and Counsellor Shamil Alekserov from the Azerbaijan Embassy in the premises of Vienna Economic Forum.

On the occasion of the working visit they discussed the economic preconditions and investment possibilities in the Republic of Azerbaijan as well as a possible future cooperation with Vienna Economic Forum.

Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva was pleased to welcome Governeur Michael Macar Formuzal with a delegation from Gagausia, the autonomous area and part of Moldawia, in the premises of Vienna Economic Forum.

On the occasion of the working visit they discussed the economic preconditions and investment possibilities in the autonomous area of Gagausia as well as a possible future cooperation with Vienna Economic Forum.

Vienna Economic Forum is pleased to welcome ShortMessageClip as a new partner.

President Dr. Erhard Busek and Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the CEO of ShortMessageClip, Mag. Kurt Schranz. the expertise of both organisations will comply and enlarge their relations and networks.

Dr. Günther Ofner, partner of Vienna Economic Forum for years and then representative of our cooperation partner EVN AG, has been appointed member of the Management Board and Chief Financial Officer (CFO),  in charge of finance, real estate and site development, advertising space and parking, construction of the Skylink and strategy, personnel, communications and the general secretariat. As a member of the Management Board and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Julian Jäger is responsible for aviation and handling, centre management-retail & gastronomy as well as information systems, environmental management, internal audit and international investments. 

Vienna Economic Forum is proud that Flughafen Wien AG has been our cooperation partner in the recent years and we are looking forward to our further cooperation.

Dr. Erhard Busek, President of Vienna Economic Forum and Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva were pleased to welcome Ms. Liri Berisha, President of the Albanian Children Foundation “Domenick Scaglione” in Vienna. Following the idea of Mag. Heinz Messinger, Director of AME International GmbH, Member of Vienna Economic Forum, and the invitation of Vienna Economic Forum, the visit was aimed at presenting before Austrian businesses, members and partners of  Vienna Economic Forum, the Foundation's work and to discuss with them the possibilities of cooperation and support to help children with various problems. Ms. Berisha met representatives of companies Uniqa Group Austria, Wolf Theiss, EVN AG, Vienna Insurance Group and AME International GmbH.

Ms. Liri Berisha said she is happy to initiatives and activities such as the Vienna Economic Forum, which, besides supporting and increasing opportunities for economic cooperation, and are actually an opportunity for rapprochement with each other, alignment of ideas and advance together towards the development . Also, she appreciates the fact that Vienna Economic Forum is committed not only to promote and support investment and economic cooperation in the region, businesses, but also serves as a social bridge between nations.

President Dr. Busek praised the engagement of President Ms. Berisha of the Albanian Children Foundation and expressed his support for partners of Vienna Economic Forum on the activities and future projects of the Foundation. Following the visit, Liri Berisha held a meeting with company executives of Uniqa Group Austria and the directors of EVN AG. Also, a reception was organized by representatives of Vienna Insurance Group. During his visit to Vienna, Liri Berisha visited the General Hospital of Vienna, St. Anna Children's Hospital and various centers for children.

Vienna Economic Forum is pleased to welcome International Business and Diplomatic Exchange (IBDE) as new partner.

President Dr. Erhard Busek and Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mr. Rudi Gurazio, CEO of International Business and Diplomatic Exchange (IBDE). The expertise and synergies of both non-profit organisations will enlarge the networks of both organisations.

Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic gave the highest state award of the SR-Series 2 Class White Double Cross for extraordinary contributions to the development of the relationship between the Slovak Republic and Austria, and spreading the good name of the Slovak Republic abroad.

In his speech the President highlighted the efforts of the Slovaks for recognition as a minority in Austria as well as winner of the participation of two Slovak World Congress, which said the promotion of culture among peoples. "Our nations are living side by side for more than a millennium, but can not say unequivocally that he understood in all areas. Therefore, it is your merit, that relations between nations improves, " he said.

He appreciated the efforts of long-Erhard Busek the desire to continue our relationship is still improving. laureate Busek in his speech thanked for giving a high state award. Recalling the story of getting to know Slovakia by his parents because he has loved Slovakia, which in his words and his compatriots do not always have sufficient and objective information. " I sincerely wish Slovakia to continue to flourish. You have done creditable piece of work. Few believed you, but you did it, " said Busek.At the end of his speech Slovakia wished good luck and positive future.

Erhard Busek already in the 80 between Bratislava and attended one of the few Western politicians maintained intensive contacts with Slovak. On his initiative was in 1982, based in Vienna, Austria-Slovak cultural society. It was in recognition of the birth of a minority of Slovaks in Austria - mediate important contacts with influential personalities of the political and intellectual life has contributed to its official recognition in 1992. As one of the first Austrian politicians spoke during an event in November 1989 on the SNP Square in Bratislava. Intensive support democratic development in Slovakia. relations with the Slovak government is engaged in the office during many years of working in government. Still be given to them as well as a representative of major non-governmental organizations, where forum invites Slovaks themselves or to make an informed audience, conveys information about the Austrian political and economic developments in the Slovak Republic. Dr. Busek produces publications dedicated to the development of the SR, thereby contributing to the spread of extraordinary reputation of the Slovak Republic abroad.

Turkish Economy Delegation accompanying H.E. President Abdullah Gül during his official visit in Austria, for a working visit at Vienna Economic Forum

On 2 Mai 2011 the official visit of the President of the Republic of Turkey, H.E. President Abdullah Gül in Austria began.

He was accompanied by a delegation of 60 persons, who during their intensive program visited also Vienna Economic Forum for a working visit, following the invitation of Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva.

The visit was initiated by the partner of Vienna Economic Forum – the Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Board - DEIK, on 3 Mai 2011 in the premises of Vienna Economic Forum, and in a friendly atmosphere, with musical surprises in the frame of a cocktail reception, the members of the high-level Turkish delegation met Austrian companies, members of Vienna Economic Forum.

Former Vice Chancellor Dr. Erhard Busek, President of Vienna Economic Forum, Dkfm. Karl Fink, President of the Supervisory Board of Vienna Insurance Group and Vice-President of VEF, Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva were pleased to welcome Mr. Rona Yirkali, Chairman of DEIK, Mr. F. Şadi Gücüm, Member of the Board of Çukurova Holding A.Ş. and Chairman of the Turkish-Austrian Business Council of DEIK, Mr. Cafer Okray, Chairman of UDAS, Mr. Nurlu Esemenli, Vice-Chairman of  Turkish-Austrian Business Council and further guests.

Dkfm. Karl Fink, President of the Supervisory Board of Vienna Insurance Group and Vize-President of VEF, gave an overview of VIG in Turkey and former Vice Minister Mag. Josef Mayer talked about the Turkish-Austrian economic relations.

Members of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum Dr. Karl Stoss, CEO of Casinos Austria AG and Österreichische Lotterien GmbH, Dr. Horst Ebhard, Managing Partner of Wolf Theiss and Dr. Willibald Plesser, Managing Partner of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, and further members of Vienna Economic Forum as Erste Group Bank AG, EVN AG, Raiffeisen Bank International AG, AME International,  Lansky Ganzger Partner, Bären Batterie and many interested representatives met with the representatives of Ankara Chamber of Commerce, İstanbul Chamber of Commerce, Istanbul Chamber of Industry, Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), Turkish-Austrian Business Council, International Transporters' Association of Turkey, Schönherr Turkey, Messe Frankfurt/Istanbul, İstanbul Aydın Üniversites.

Deeper talks were held in preparation of the planned Vienna Economic Talks - Meet Istanbul in Vienna Meeting in 2012 in Vienna. The reception led to an intensive exchange of the representatives and Vienna Economic Forum thanks for the high interest from both Turkish and Austrian side.

President Dr. Erhard Busek and Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva are proud that Vienna Economic Forum has received the status of an international non-governmental organization already at the beginning of this year according to the NGO law, BGBI. Nr. 174/1992.

Now, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Austria, Federal Law Gazette No. 218/1975/ 24.2.2011 and § 1 Abs. 4 of the law on employing foreigners – AuslBG, BGBl. Nr. 218/1975, BGBl. I Nr. 135/2009, it was decided that Vienna Economic Forum will be in a position to employ foreigners in the forum.

We are proud to announce that the Minister for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria as Authority according to § 1 of the Federal Law on the Grant of Privileges to non-governmental international organizations, BGBl. Nr. 174/1992, BMeiA-N9.8.19.12/0036-1.2/2010 has decided that

Vienna Economic Forum has received the status

INTERNATIONAL NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION

by the Austrian Ministry for European and International Affairs, as a recognition

for our years of activities in the region above all of South-Eastern Europe. 

Founded in 2006 by Herbert Stepic, CEO of Raiffeisen Bank International, Member of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum, the H. Stepic CEE Charity Foundation was created to provide help to children, adolescents and young women in less advantaged regions in CEE.

Currently there are projects in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, the Republik of Moldova, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine.

One project was developed in Albania, where the H. Stepic CEE Charity and its project partner Caritas are converting a former health care centre into a day care centre for disabled people.

The centre, which was built with the generous support provided by Mr. Julius Eberhardt (Palais Fanto), the H. Stepic CEE Charity's project partner, is located in Arameras, a town about 20 km away from Tirana. The Archbishop of Tirana provided the property for the centre. The building is being adapted and renewed according to the special needs disabled people have. Caritas will provide the professional administration of the centre, which will offer a new home to 35 young people with mental disabilities. They are between 8 and 25 years old. Partnered professional organisations will assume care for those residents who move out on reaching the age of 25.

There is a massive need for institutions for disabled persons in Albania. Some 80 per cent of this population has never attended a school and there are few public institutions for them.

Fotos and further information you will find on the website of H. Stepic CEE Charity (www.stepicceecharity.org)