News
Working visit of Mr. Hubert Cottogni, Head of EIB Group Office in Austria, and Ms. Kristina Kirilova, MBA, Office Manager of the Group Office in Austria at Vienna Economic Forum (VEF)
On March 19, 2024, the Secretary General of Vienna Economic Forum, Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, received Mr. Hubert Cottogni, Head of the EIB Group Office in Austria, and Ms. Kristina Kirilova, MBA, Office Manager of the EIB Group Office in Austria, at the premises of Vienna Economic Forum.
The conversation proceeded in a very friendly atmosphere and focused on the possibilities for an even more active cooperation between Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) and the European Investment Bank Group (EIBG), particularly with the EIB representation in Vienna.
Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva emphasized the collaboration and support of the European Investment Bank Group (EIBG) for the upcoming Vienna Economic Forum – Sofia Meeting 2024, scheduled for April 21/22, 2024, in Sofia, and expressed gratitude for the active participation of senior representatives of the EIBG in the program.
Vienna Economic Forum is looking forward to the promising opportunities to continue contributing to regional cooperation and the important cause of intercultural understanding, in close collaboration with the EIBG.
Regular Board Meeting and Annual General Assembly of Vienna Economic Forum on February 19, 2024, at the Diplomatic Academy Vienna
SOCIETY/Sora
The regular board meeting, followed by the annual general assembly of Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) in 2024, took place on February 19 at the Diplomatic Academy (DA) Vienna.
The host, Ambassador Dr. Emil Brix, Director of the Diplomatic Academy (DA) Vienna and Board Member of VEF, welcomed the participients in the Bruno Kreisky Hall.
Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, Secretary General of VEF, reported on the VEF activities over the past year, highlighting the successful and intensive development of VEF step by step over its 20-year history.
Vienna Economic Forum is proud to have jointly organized Vienna Economic Talks - Prishtina Meeting 2023 with the Government of the Republic of Kosovo on May 8, 2023, in Prishtina, under the patronage of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo and Patron of Vienna Economic Forum, H.E. Mr. Albin Kurti.
The high-level participants, representing regional and European politics and economics, significantly contributed to the great success of the event. The lively debates focused on the exciting topic: "Regional Cooperation in a Fragmented Environment", discussing Kosovo's economic resilience and development through cooperation.
On June 16, 2023, the 22nd Traditional Garden Party of Vienna Economic Forum took place in the Paradise Garden of Villa Flora under the hosting of KR Prof. Gertrud Tauchhammer, Publisher of Society Magazine, a long-standing VEF media partner, and VEF Honorary Member.
Secretary General Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva emphasized the great success of the 20th Jubilee Vienna Economic Forum - Vienna Future Dialogue 2023, held on November 13, 2023, under the motto "Continuing to Build Economic Bridges During Difficult Times" in the Festsaal of the Vienna City Hall, with high-ranking decision-makers from business and politics from 41 countries.
Secretary General reiterated the vision of Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) founding fathers from 2004 to support active economic cooperation in the region "From the Adriatic to the Black Sea" and to promote the development of common activities according to the motto "Economy Meets Politics". She thanked the City of Vienna and especially the Mayor of Vienna, Dr. Michael Ludwig, for the wonderful opportunity to hold the 20th Jubilee Vienna Economic Forum in the impressive Festsaal of the Vienna City Hall.
In addition, Secretary General Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva expressed her heartfelt thanks to all members, partners, and friends of Vienna Economic Forum for their great trust and constant support, which continues to motivate the VEF team to expand its horizons to achieve new great goals.
A special heartfelt thank you was expressed by the Secretary General, Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, to the VEF President in 2023, Ambassador Victor Jackovich. She emphasized that with his extensive knowledge in diplomacy, politics, and economics, he made a significant contribution to the continued positive development of VEF in 2023 and enabled the further achievement high goals of Vienna Economic Forum. VEF is looking forward to further active collaboration with Ambassador Victor Jackovich as an honorary member of the Vienna Economic Forum.
According to the statutes, Mag. Peter Höfinger, Vice President of the Vienna Economic Forum, led the agenda. The appointment of the new president and new members was proposed by the board and confirmed by the general assembly.
For new President of Vienna Economic Forum was elected:
1. Ambassador Dr. Emil Brix, Director, Diplomatische Akademie Wien -Vienna School of International Studies , Member of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum.
New board members were elected:
1. Mag. Mila Nenova, as a representative of the Ordinary Member - Cooperation Partner InvestBulgaria Agency (IBA)
2. Eng. Kalin Peshov, MBA, as a representative of the Ordinary Member - Cooperation Partner Glavbolgarstroy Holding AD (GBS Holding)
New cooperation partner members were elected:
1. InvestBulgaria Agency (IBA)
2. Glavbolgarstroy Holding AD (GBS Holding)
New legal entity members were elected:
1. MADIS Consulting Kft.
2. Zero Waste Ltd.
3. JAF Bulgaria Ltd.
The following natural persons were elected as members:
1. Mr. Zlatko Kolevski
2. Ambassador Dr. Emil Brix
As a new member of the Patronage Committee were elected:
As a new member of the Ambassador Committee was elected:
1. H.E. Mr. Siniša Bencun, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina
As Members of the Honorary Commmittee of Vienna Economic Forum were elected:
1. Ambassador Victor Jackovich, President of Vienna Economic Forum in 2023, President, Jackovich International LLC, USA.
2. Dr. Lilyana Pavlova - Former Minister of Regional Development and Public Works of Bulgaria (2014–2017), Former Minister for the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU (2017–2018), Former Vice President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) (2019–2023)
3. Ms. Boriana Jossifova - Renowned journalist, long-time supporter of Vienna Economic Forum
After the election and appointment of new members, Mag. Peter Höfinger, Vice President of the Vienna Economic Forum, handed over the floor to the newly elected VEF President Ambassador Dr. Emil Brix, Director, Diplomatic Academy (DA) Vienna, who thanked everyone for their trust and expressed his willingness to strongly support the further development of VEF.
After the last item on the agenda, the general assembly concluded at 6 p.m.
The event was followed by further discussions on developing new opportunities for closer cooperation and ended in a festive atmosphere.
Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) is pleased to congratulate Mag. Stefan Krenn, LL.M., as a new Board Member of VEF cooperation partner Novomatic AG!
The Secretary General of Vienna Economic Forum, Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, took the opportunity during the regular board meeting and annual general assembly of Vienna Economic Forum on February 19, 2024, at the Diplomatic Academy Vienna, to extend good wishes to Mag. Stefan Krenn, LL.M., for his new responsible position and to wish him further success.
VEF and Novomatic AG share a long-standing excellent cooperation. CEO Dipl.-Ing. Ryszard Presch has been elected as VEF Vice President representing Novomatic AG.
Vienna Economic Forum wishes significant success and continued global recognition to the entire extended board of Novomatic AG, its cooperation partner!
Please find the press release here.
20th Jubilee Vienna Economic Forum in the Diplomacy & Commerce Austria Magazine
Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) is pleased to share information about the successful 20th Jubilee Vienna Economic Forum, which took place on November 13, 2023, in the Festive Hall of the Vienna City Hall. An article about the 20th VEF, also featured on the magazine's front page, was written by Ms. Svetlana Nenadovic Glusac, CEO of Diplomacy & Commerce Austria Magazine.
The link to the online version please find here.
Working meeting between the Secretary General of Vienna Economic Forum, Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva and H.E. Mr. Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa
On 29 December 2022, Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, Member of the Board and Secretary General of Vienna Economic Forum had the honour and the pleasure to be received by H.E. Mr. Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia for a working visit during her trip to Addis Ababa.
Various possibilities and concrete initiatives and ideas for future cooperation between Ethiopia and Vienna Economic Forum were discussed during the intensive discussion and in a friendly atmosphere.
The Vienna Economic Forum Member - TPA Group - with an exciting study on the topic: Quantifying personnel costs as a factor for choosing a business location
In their daily advisory activities, which the TPA Group has been carrying out for decades in 12 countries in Central and South-Eastern Europe, the highly respected Member of Vienna Economic Forum is currently observing the massive management trend towards relocating (nearshoring) in the corporate decision-making processes.
Please find here the extremely interesting comparative labour cost study deriving from these observations: " Quantifying personnel costs as a factor for choosing a business location ".
Intensive Talks between VEF and Kosovo
During his working visit H.E. Mr. Albin Kurti, Prime Minister of Kosovo and Patron of Vienna Economic Forum, who was also to take part as a high-level guest speaker at the 18th Vienna Economic Forum - Vienna Future Dialogue 2021, held several discussions with VEF Board members and cooperation partners.
With the Member of the Management Board, Parcel & Logistics, Österreichische Post AG and VEF President DI Peter Umundum, and in the presence of the CEO of Österreichische Post DI Dr. Georg Pölzl, Honorary Member of Vienna Economic Forum, in view of the increasing interest of the Österreichische Post AG in Kosovo, next steps for the cooperation were discussed.
New perspectives for cooperation with the Chairman of the Board of VERBUND AG, DI Wolfgang Anzengruber
In a very friendly atmosphere at the Headquarters of the VEF Cooperation partner Verbund AG, on 21. December 2020, the Secretary General of Vienna Economic Forum, Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva met with DI Wolfgang Anzengruber, Chairman of Board of VERBUND AG, founding member of Vienna Economic Forum and member of the VEF Honorary Committee.
The conversation, which was focused on the scope for design of future further cooperation, allowed new perspectives to be identified.
The VEF General Secretary presented DI Wolfgang Anzengruber with the "Decoration of Honor of Vienna Economic Forum", expressing great gratitude for his services in the successful development and realization of the joint project - Vienna Economic Forum.
Intensive discussions about the future in the premises of Vienna Economic Forum
The Vice President of Vienna Economic Forum Hermann ANDERL, the new Managing Director of CANON AUSTRIA and his successor as Managing Director of CANON CEE (Central Eastern Europe) Wilbert VERHEIJEN met on 13 December 2019 in the premises of Vienna Economic Forum with the Secretary General Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva to discuss future collaboration over the next few years. Ideas and possibilities for further development of the excellent cooperation were discussed in a very friendly atmosphere and the planned VEF activities in 2020 were coordinated.
High Representative of the Agency for Foreign Investment and Export Promotion of Macedonia to a working visit in VEF
Secretary General Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva was pleased to welcome the two high ranking representatives of the Agency for Foreign Investment and Export Promotion of Macedonia, CEO Advisor Mr. Hristijan Josifovski and State Advisor Mr. Ivan Iliev, for a working visit in the premises of the VEF on Thursday, 13. December 2018.
Vienna Economic Forum visits Novomatic AG
The President, DI Günther Rabensteiner and the Secretary General of Vienna Economic Forum, Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, met with the CEO of Novomatic AG Mag. Harald Neumann, Vice President of Vienna Economic Forum on 11 December 2017 at Novomatic AG in Gumpoldskirchen, Lower Austria.
Mag. Othmar Karas speaker of Bürgerforum Europa invited to the event “Europa-Lunch”
Member of the European Parliament and speaker of Bürgerforum Europa – Mag. Othmar Karas set a new input for the regional political and economic cooperation of Vienna by the “Europa-Lunch”, which took place in the framework of Bürgerforum Europa.
