At this year’s 5th Jubilee Vienna Economic Forum on November 10 and 11, 2008 President Dr. Erhard Busekand 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.
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
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 andDr. 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”.
