2014

11th Vienna Economic Forum - Vienna Summit 2014

Visions and Responsibilities in a Changing Time

On 24 November 2014 the President of Vienna Economic Forum, Former Vice-Chancellor of the Republic of Austria Dr. Erhard Busek and Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva had the pleasure to welcome 500 participants from 44 countries at the Palais Niederösterreich in Vienna.

 

Under the motto “Visions and responsiblities in a changing time” the high-ranking participants such as the H.E. Federal President of the Republic of Austria Dr. Heinz Fischer, the Patrons of Vienna Economic Forum: H.E. Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria Werner Faymann, H.E. Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, H.E. Prime Minister of Macedonia Nikola Gruevski, H.E. Prime Minister of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic, H.E. Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria Tomislav DonchevSir Suma Chakrabarti, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Amb. Dr. Margit Waestfelt, Alternate Secretary General of the Central European Initiative (CEI)  discussed the topics of the economy in Danube and the Black Sea, The Role of the Turkish Economy for the development of the regional economy as well as about information technology. 

Dr. Hannes Ametsreiter, CEO of Telekom Austria Group and Member of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum lead the moderation of the Second Plenary Session, in which Mag. Bernadette Gierlinger, Section Chief in the Federal Ministry of Research, Science and Economy and Mag. Wilhelm Molterer, Vicepresident of the European Investment Bank (EIB), discussed together with H.E. Arben Ahmetaj, Minister of Economy of Albania and Member of the Vienna Economic Forum Committee of Ministers of Economy, Mag. Stefan Szyszkowitz, Member of the Board of EVN AG and Member of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum, DI Dr. Günther Rabensteiner, Member of the Board of Verbund AG and Member of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum, Dr. Gabriel Lansky, Partner at LANSKY, GANZGER + partner, Member of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum and Ing. Gerald Sturm-Ofenböck, General Manager AT/CEE, Siemens Industry Software, Member of Vienna Economic Forum about the development of IT-Infrastructure and the importance of Energy Efficiency.

The third Session “As long ad the Danube and the Black Sea connect us – responsibility for today and for the future. Cooperation is on demand!” was about the Danube and Black Sea Region. Moderated by the President of Vienna Economic Forum Dr. Erhard Busek, H.E. Amb. Miklos Lengyel, Vice President of the Danube Commission, Mr. Alan Paic, Head of the Investment Compact for South East Europe, Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), Mr. Mihai Daraban, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania, Member of the Committee of Presidents of the Economic Chambers of Vienna Economic Forum, Dr. Boris Vujcic, Governor of the National Bank of Croatia, Member of the Governors Committee of Vienna Economic Forum, Prof. Dr. Helmut Habersack, Universität für Bodenkultur, UNESCO Chair for “Integrated River Research and Management” and Dr. Strahil Karapchanski, Deputy Mayor of Russe, discussed interesting projects along the river Danube and the in the Black Sea Region.

The fourth Session was dedicated to the growing economic importance of Turkey in the region of Vienna Economic Forum. It was organised as COUNTRY FORUM TURKEY in Cooperation with the Investment Support and Promotion Agency of Turkey (ISPAT), the moderator of the session DI Peter Umundum, Member of the Board of Österreichsche Post AG and Member of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum, discussed with Mr. Arda Ermut, Vice President of Investment Support and Promotion Agency of Turkey (ISPAT),  Dr. Cetin Nazikkol, CEO of ThyssenKrupp Turkey, Mag. Heinz Messinger, CEO of AME International GmbH, Member of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum, Dr. Willibald Plesser, Partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, Member of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum, as well as Mr. Mustafa Koca, President of the Anatolian Businessmen Association (ASKON), Mr. Halil Kulluk, President of Intekno Group and Chairman of the Business Advisory Council for Southeastern Europe and Eurasia (BACSEE), Strategic Partner of Vienna Economic Forum and Prof. Agni Vlavianos-Arvanitis, President of Biopolitics International Organisation, Strategic Partner of Vienna Economic Forum, about successful project, their own positive experience and the further possibilities and economic perspectives. 

In the yearly festive ceremony for the Vienna Economic Forum Awards the Telekom Austria Group was nominated as “Cooperation Partner of the Year 2014”. Dr. Hannes Ametsreiter, CEO of Telekom Austria Group received the Award.

The Award for “Strategic Partner of the Year 2014” was given to the Marmara Group Foundation based in Istanbul and its President Dr. Akkan Suver.

The deepening of cooperation with a Memorandum of Understanding with the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), based in Sarajevo and the Anatolian Businessmen Association (ASKON), based in Istanbul was appreciated by the Secretary General of RCC Goran Svilanovic, and the President of ASKON Mr. Mustafa Koca, and Secretary General of ASKON Mr. Bahadir Tuzcu.

Between Vienna Economic Forum and the Invesment Support and Promotion Agency of Turkey (ISPAT) a cooperation agreement was signed in the context of the 11th Vienna Economic Forum – Vienna Summit 2014. 

Vienna Economic Forum thanks all its cooperation partners, members and partners for their constant support. A special thanks goes to: the Investment Support and Promotion Agency of Turkey (ISPAT), Austrian Airlines AG, Bären Industriebatterie GmbH, Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy, Canon CEE GmbH, DenizBank AG, Socar, Sopharma AD and the Telekom Austria Group.

Vienna Economic Forum thanks for the presence and the good cooperation with its Strategic Partners and international institutions.

  • Anatolian Businessmen Association (ASKON), Istanbul, Turkey
  • Biopolitics International Organisation (B.I.O.), Athens, Greece
  • Bled Strategic Forum, Slovenia
  • Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Sofia, Bulgaria
  • Business Advisory Council for Southeast Europe and Eurasia (BACSEE), Thessaloniki, Greece
  • Central Europe Initiative – CEI, Trieste, Italy
  • EastEuroCo Executive Search Group, Budapest, Hungary
  • European Center for Environmental Economy (ECEE), Sofia, Bulgaria
  • Hayek Institute, Vienna, Austria
  • Institut für den Donauraum und Mitteleuropa (IDM), Vienna, Austria
  • Marmara Group Strategic and Social Research Group, Istanbul, Turkey
  • Österreichischer Gewerbeverein, Vienna, Austria
  • Regional Cooperation Council Secretariat, Sarajevo
  • The Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEİK), Istanbul, Turkey
  • Turkish Enterprise and Business Confederation (TURKONFED), Istanbul, Turkey
  • United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

We are pleased to announce the 12th Vienna Economic Forum on 23 November 2015 at the Palais Niederösterreich in Vienna.

Program

Statements/Presentations:
Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva - Opening of the 11th VEF
Dr. Hannes Ametsreiter (Telekom Austria Group)
Ing. Gerald Sturm-Ofenboeck (SIEMENS)
Dr. Gabriel Lansky (LANSKY, GANZGER + partner)
Prof. Helmut Habersack (Universität für Bodenkultur)
Halil Kulluk (Intekno Group; BAC SEE)
Mag. Heinz Messinger (AME)
Dr. Willibald Plesser (Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer)
Dipl. Ing. Peter Umundum (Österreichische Post AG)

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EU - Moldova International Investors' Conference

Following the successful Vienna Economic Talks - Chisinau Meeting 2014, on the next day, on June 12, 2014, the EU – Moldova International Investors’ Conference was organized, with the participation of H.E. Mr. Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, President of the European Commission and H.E. Mr. Iurie Leanca, Prime Minister of Moldova.

Many Members of Vienna Economic Forum took part in the conference, also the Members of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum, Mag. Heinz Messinger, CEO, AME International GmbH, Austria, and Dr. Ognjan Donev, President of the Confederation of the Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria (CEIBG), Strategic  Partner of Vienna Economic Forum; CEO, Sopharma AD, Bulgaria.

Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva gave an overview on the Conclusions and Recommendations of Vienna Economic Forum after the Vienna Economic Talks – Chisinau Meeting 2014. As mentioned before, the aim of Vienna Economic Forum is to define investment possibilities in a whole region, to present them, to promote and to support them as much as possible.

She underlined that the close cooperation of Vienna Economic Forum with the governments is an important incentive for the achievement of this goal and she very much expects an active cooperation with the Moldovan Government in this direction. The aim of Vienna Economic Forum is always concentrated to animate investors from different sectors and from different countries for activities in the Vienna Economic Forum region. Because only a good balance in the mosaic of foreign investors, a colourful palette of companies from different countries, especially in the large structure relevant investments, secures the best choice of a country for the national economic development.

Secretary General Amb. Dr. Kirtcheva wished the Moldovan economy such a realisation of a colourful investors interest from the heart, and she assured that Vienna Economic Forum, as the place where the participants experience the importance of thinking together about the present and future economic development, will continue the good cooperation with Moldova and the countries of the region.

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Vienna Economic Talks - Chisinau Meeting 2014

10-11 Juni 2014, Chisinau, Moldova

in cooperation with MIEPO – Moldova Investment and Export Promotion Organisation

Vienna Economic Talks  – Chisinau Meeting 2014 was successfully organized under the patronage of the Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Iurie Leanca.

For both days over 300 participants from 18 countries were registered: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Italia, Luxemburg, Monte Carlo, The Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and Moldova.

In his Opening Statement President Dr. Erhard Busek said that things in Moldova improve with his every arrival in Chisinau. By holding such events, they want the Europeans to understand better what kind of country Moldova is. “The Vienna Economic Forum focuses on the attraction of long-term investments. We want Moldova, which has incomes lower than the European states, but which has potential and is developing, to benefit from the Vienna Economic Forum activities. The solution to rapid development resides in the attraction of investments, increase in exports and enhancement of competitiveness of the Moldovan products on the European markets,” stated the European official.

In his Introductory Statement H.E. Prime Minister Iurie Leanca thanked the administration of the Vienna Economic Forum for the idea of staging this event in Chisinau. “It is a good occasion for discussing the new cooperation opportunities that will appear when Moldova signs the Association Agreement with the EU and when the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area is created. Our objective is to place Moldova on the political and economic man of Europe,” he stated.

Moldova has been a Member Country of Vienna Economic Forum from the very beginning and it is a proof of how high the members of Vienna Economic Forum value Moldova and its way towards market economy and EU values so that Vienna Economic Forum organized a specialized meeting already for the third time, after the years 2008 and 2010.

Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva stated that Vienna Economic Forum focuses on authentic values and long-term cooperation and we are convinced, that the markets in CEE continue to offer great potential. The close cooperation of Vienna Economic Forum with the governments is an important incentive for the achievement of this goal and she very much expects an active cooperation with the Moldovan Government in this direction. The aim of Vienna Economic Forum is always concentrated to animate investors from different sectors and from different countries for activities in the Vienna Economic Forum region. Because only a good balance in the mosaic of foreign investors, a colourful palette of companies from different countries, especially in the large structure relevant investments, secures the best choice of a country for the national economic development.

H.E. Prime Minister Iurie Leanca assured that Moldova is determined to extend the reforms aimed at liberalizing the economy, to remove trade barriers and to fight corruption.

Moldova's political integration into the European Union will largely depend on the success of the country’s economic integration, said H.E. Mr. Valeriu Lazar, Deputy Premier Minister and Minister of Economy of Moldova.H.E. Mr. Lazar stressed that the country’s economic development must become an absolute priority for everybody – the Government, citizens, profiled organizations, etc. Fortunately, there already exist good preliminary results for this, as 80-90% Moldovan legislation corresponds to the European one, according to him.

Several Members of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum took part in the meeting:

  • Dr. Ognjan Donev, President of the Confederation of the Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria (CEIBG), Strategic  Partner of Vienna Economic Forum; CEO, Sopharma AD, Bulgaria Member of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum
  • Mag. Heinz Messinger, CEO, AME International GmbH, Austria, Member of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum
  • DI Peter Umundum, Member of the Board of Österreichische Post AG,  Austria, Member of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum

On the second day of the meeting H.E. Mr. Vasile Bumacov, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry and Mr. Mihai Ciocanu, Deputy Minister of Health of Moldova took part with Introductory Statements, presenting concrete projects in diverse economic sectors of Moldova.

Vienna Economic Forum is especially proud that after the First Opening Session on 10 June in Vienna Economic Talks – Chisinau Meeting 2014 we could present The National Energy Globe Award for Moldova – which goes to the NGO “First Aid Centre” and Mr. Vitalie Zaharia for the project “Implementing the street lighting system with solar cells and LED lamps”, and which was handed over by Mag. Rudolf Lukavsky, Commercial Counselor for Romania and Moldova at the Austrian Embassy Bucharest, Romania.

Vienna Economic Talks – Chisinau Meeting 2014 was a success. The large interest of the numerous high-ranking participants from economy and politics from Moldova and the region of Vienna Economic Forum, potential investors will surely provide a good basis for further and more intensive cooperation with Moldova.

Program

 

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Vienna Economic Talks - Business and Investment Forum Albania

12 Mai 2014, Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO)

>On 12 Mai 2014 Vienna Economic Forum in cooperation with Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO) organized VIENNA ECONOMIC TALKS - BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT FORUM ALBANIA with a high-ranking delegation from Albania, headed by H.E. Prime Minister Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania, Patron of Vienna Economic Forum.

Host Dr. Christoph LEITL President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber and Member of the Committee of the Presidents of Economic Chambers of the region on Vienna Economic Forum, and Dr. Erhard BUSEK, President of Vienna Economic Forum opened the conference. The Opening Speech was held by H.E. Edi RAMA, Prime Minister of Albania.

Statements were held by Albanian Ministers: H.E. Arben AHMETAJ, Minister of Economy of Albania and Member of the Committee of the Ministers of Economy of the region of Vienna Economic Forum, H.E. Damjan GJIKNURI, Minister for Energy and Industry of Albania and H.E. Edmond PANARITI, Minister for Agriculture of Albania.

Numerous Members of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum – VEF-Vice President Mag. Stefan SZYSZKOWITZ, Member of the Board, EVN AG, Mag. Heinz MESSINGER, Managing Director, AME International GmbH and DI Dr. Günther RABENSTEINER, Member of the Board, Verbund AG, Honorary Member Dr. Herbert STEPIC, Senior Advisor to the Board, Raiffeisen Bank International AG - and Members of Vienna Economic Forum took part in VIENNA ECONOMIC TALKS - BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT FORUM ALBANIA .

Around 160 participants took advantage of the exchange of experience and bilateral talks. Vienna Economic Forum thanks EVN AGAME International GmbH and Verbund AG for the support in the organization.

Program

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Vienna Economic Talks - Building Bridges in a Challenging Time

10 years Vienna Economic Forum and 25 years Central European Initiative 
28 April 2014, Raiffeisen Bank International, Vienna

Vienna Economic Forum is proud that on the occasion of two anniversaries in the Year 2014 - 10 years Vienna Economic Forum and 25 years Central European Initiative the conference VIENNA ECONOMIC TALKS - BUILDING BRIDGES IN A CHALLENGING TIME was organized in cooperation with Central European Initiative.

The goal was to use the synergy of both organisations to support the economic development of VEF and CEI countries, especially in the current challenging time.  This goal of Vienna Economic Forum was already defined 10 years ago and was proven in all these successful years by the economic cooperation with and between the VEF- member countries.

Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva was glad to welcome more than 130 registered participants from 26 countries, high representatives of the economy and politics of all Vienna Economic Forum and also from CEI member countries. She welcomed especially the Members of the Board of VEF, Mr. Hermann Anderl- CEO of Canon CEE, Mr. Alois Steinbichler, Kommunalkredit Austria AG, Dr. Peter Harold, HYPO NOE Gruppe Bank AG, Mr. Valentin Mihov, Sberbank Europe AG, Dr. Friedrich Jergitsch, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, Mr. Roland Frankl, Lansky, Ganzger and Partner; Members of the Governors Committee of VEF -Mr. Adrian Fulani, Governor of Bank of Albania, Ms. Ernadina Bajrovic, Vice- Governor of Central Bank of BiH, also Dr. Gyula Pleschinger, Member of the Monetary Policy Council at National Bank of Hungary, and Members of the VEF-Committee of the Presidents of National Chambers of Economy - Dr. Richard Schenz, Vice President of Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Mr. Bojidar Danev, President of Bulgarian Industrial Association,  Mr. Zdravko Jelisic, Vice President of Serbian Chamber of Commerce, and also Mr. Uladzimir Ulakhovich, Deputy Charman of Belarus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as a many Representatives from the CEI Countries Hungary, Italy, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia. The participation of Dr. Matti Vanhanen, Former Prime Minister of Finland, and Executive Director FBN Finland – Finnish Family Firms Association, is also a perfect expression of CEI’s bridging role between European macro-regions.

Also several Ambassadors and high representatives from many Embassies in Vienna took part, which was a proof that cooperation is the right way to increase and support the economic development. 

Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva pointed out that she is convinced that exactly the synergy of one private, like Vienna Economic Forum, and one governmental body, like CEI, is the right cooperation as seen from the present days, when we deal with challenges and change!

Vienna Economic Forum as a private non-profit organisation was founded according the Austrian low of associations. In it’s already 10 years successful story Vienna Economic Forum has been growing and have since 2011 the status International Non-Governmental Organization from the Republic of Austria and since 2012 the Special Consultative Status at the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC).

“I am proud to say that Vienna Economic Forum has had many cooperation partners from European and non-European countries for several years.”, she said.

Vienna Economic Forum wants to thank especially CEI Alternate Secretary General Amb. Dr. Margit Waestfelt and Amb. Dr. Heidemaria Gürer, Austrian National Coordinator of Central European Initiative.

Vienna Economic Forum is very grateful to Dr. Herbert Stepic, Founding Father of Vienna Economic Forum who was the host of the conference, and Raiffeisen Bank International AG, partner for a long time.

The Main Topics of the conference were:

  • Building Bridges – The Role of the Synergy for the Economic Development of Vienna Economic Forum and CEI Member Countries
  • Imagine the Future: For a Better Economic Cooperation. Economic  Chamber’s and Bank’s Responsibilities.
  • Family Business – Role and Perspectives

Several members of Vienna Economic Forum are big players in the family business sector of the region, like Mr. Hanno Soravia, Founding Father of Vienna Economic Forum, Mr. Christo Iliev, Member of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum, the President of the Association of the Family Business Network (FBN) Bulgaria. Their participation, as also of the Representatives of the Family Business Associations in Austria and Finland, from Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, Austria, give the confidence that the aspirations for sustainable economic development based on the importance of family businesses, become true.

Vienna Economic Forum, as the place where the participants experience the importance of thinking together about the present and future economic development, will continue the good cooperation with the Southeast European Countries, and also with Countries from Central and Northern Europe, as Lithuania.

Program

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