Promoting regional economic cooperation has been the goal of Vienna Economic Forum since its foundation in 2004, and we are proud that the economic cooperation between entrepreneurs from the member countries of Vienna Economic Forum - Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Slovenia, Turkey and Ukraine - has developed successfully over all these years.

Among the founding members of the Vienna Economic Forum are some of the most renowned Austrian companies and industrialists. The Prime Ministers of the states of the region are, together with the Austrian Federal Chancellor, Members of the Patronage Committee of Vienna Economic Forum. All accredited ambassadors in Austria of the VEF- Members countries take part in the VEF- activities as Members of the Ambassadors Committee. To the organs of Vienna Economic Forum also belong the Honorary Committee and the Cultural Committee of the countries of the region of Vienna Economic Forum.

Vienna Economic Forum, which has been granted the Status of an International Non-governmental Organization and the Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), is constantly growing and developing.

Since 2015, Vienna Economic Forum has also been listed in the Transparency Register of the European Parliament and the European Commission.

In all these years, Vienna Economic has remained true to its founding goals:

• To popularize and promote investment opportunities in the region from the Adriatic to the Black Sea.
• To provide impulses and, based on research, the joint projects required in the region for short-term, medium-term and long-term realisation, and promoting their implementation
• Becoming a place of definition, encounter, and of realising the public and private interests in connection with the various projects in the region as part of a united Europe.

These goals incorporate the vision that led to the creation of the VEF in 2004: to follow a strategy that contributes to economic cooperation and development of the VEF member countries as a region that is growing together, a “VEF economic area”!

The implementation of this strategy is always in focus and determines the planning and execution of all the work of the Vienna Economic Forum team over the years!

NOVOMATIC also certified in Italy and Spain according to highest player protection standard

Vienna Economic Forum is pleased to be able to inform about the further successes of the VEF Cooperation partner NOVOMATIC AG, represented on the VEF Board by DI Ryszard Presch as VEF Vice-president.

Click here for the Press release.

Working meeting with Ambassador Dragana Radulović, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of Montenegro at Vienna Economic Forum 

On 25 October 2022, the Secretary General of Vienna Economic Forum, Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva welcomed Ambassador Dragana Radulović, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of Montenegro to a working meeting at the premisses of Vienna Economic Forum.

The discussion focused on current issues concerning the regional cooperation in the present situation, as well as on the upcoming 19. Vienna Economic Forum - Vienna Future Dialogue 2022, which is to take place on 14 November 2022 dedicated to the highly current topic: "Economy Meets Politics in Difficult and Uncertain Times".

The VEF Founding Member country Montenegro is represented in the Board of Vienna Economic Forum by Dr. Nina Drakić, President of the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro. VEF is pleased to intensify the cooperation with the Embassy of Montenegro and with the Chargé d'Affaires a.i., Ambassador Dragana Radulović.

Working meeting with the new Ambassador of Moldova H.E. Michaela Mocanu at Vienna Economic Forum

On 4 October 2022 the new Ambassador of Moldova H.E. Michaela Mocanu and the Secretary General of Vienna Economic Forum Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva met for a working meeting at the VEF premises.

In a very friendly atmosphere the possibility for a further, deepened collaboration was discussed. In view of the intensive preparations for the upcoming 19th Vienna Economic Forum - Vienna Future Dialogue 2022 which is to take place on 14 November 2022, the focus was placed on planning the high-level participation of the VEF Member country, Moldova.

Vienna Economic Forum wishes H.E. Ambassador Michaela Mocanu many successes during her diplomatic mission in Austria.

Vienna Economic Forum and the Fund of Funds (FoF) - Fund Manager of Financial Instruments in Bulgaria signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 26 September 2022

The two sides, represented by the Secretary General, Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva and CEO and Chairman of the Board, Mr. Martin Gikov announced an intensive cooperation.

The signing took place in the ceremonial hall of the Fund in the presence of the Deputy Minister for Innovation and Growth, Mr. Stefan Savov.

Here is the link to the press release of the Ministry for Innovation and Growth.

In addition, you can find the press release from the Ministry of Innovation and Growth translated into English:

19th Vienna Economic Forum – Vienna Future Dialogue 2022

During the 19th Vienna Economic Forum - Vienna Future Dialogue 2022 which under the motto "Economy meets Politics in Difficult and Uncertain Times" took place on 14. November 2022 at the Raiffeisen Bank International in Vienna, the Board and the Members of Vienna Economic Forum had the honour and the pleasure to welcome the invited guests, high-ranking decision-makers from economy and politics from 22 countries.