Ohrid 2026 Regional Conference | 9-11 September
The Eurozone: Current Challenges and Their Impact on the Fiscal Policies of the Western Balkan Countries Outside the EU
Conference Agenda
9–11 September 2026 · Hotel Inex Olgica · Ohrid, North Macedonia
Wednesday
Arrival and welcoming programme
Thursday
Main conference programme
Registration & Welcome Coffee
Opening Remarks
Gordana Dimitrieska Kocovska
Minister of Finance, North Macedonia
Keynote Address
Jacopo Dettoni
Chief Editor, FDI Intelligence, Financial Times
Fiscal resilience and fiscal space in an era of uncertainty: setting budget priorities
- Petrit Malaj
Minister of Finance, Albania (TBC) - Srđan Amidžić
Minister of Finance and Treasury, Bosnia and Herzegovina (TBC) - Zora Vidović
Minister of Finance, Republika Srpska (TBC) - Nediljko Rimac
Minister of Finance, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (TBC) - Tomislav Ćorić
Minister of Finance, Croatia (TBC) - Hekuran Murati
Acting Minister of Finance, Kosovo (TBC) - Novica Vuković
Minister of Finance, Montenegro - Gordana Dimitrieska Kocovska
Minister of Finance, North Macedonia - Andrej Šircelj
Minister of Finance, Slovenia - Siniša Mali
Minister of Finance, Serbia (TBC) - Goran Pekez
Director of Corporate Affairs and Communications, JTI Western Balkans
Coffee Break
Spotlight / Keynote Intervention
“What ‘fiscal space’ means in practice for priority setting” followed by a 5-minute Q&A.
Moderator: Viktor Mizo, President of the Foreign Investors Council – North Macedonia Investors Council and Managing Director of KOSTAL MACEDONIA, North Macedonia
Speaker: Zdravko Marić, former Minister of Finance, Croatia (TBC)
Networking Lunch
Tax revenues, tax gap and the fight against the informal economy: stronger public finances and better EU compliance
- Ilir Binaj
Director General, General Directorate of Taxes, Albania (TBC) - Goran Maričić
Director, Tax Administration of Republika Srpska (TBC) - Admir Omerbašić
Director, Tax Administration of the Federation of BiH - Vinko Skoko
Excise Director, Indirect Taxation Authority, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Božidar Kutleša
Director of Tax Administration, Croatia (TBC) - Mentor Hyseni
Director General, Kosovo Tax Administration - Biljana Peranović
Director General, Directorate for Tax and Customs, Montenegro (TBC) - Elena Petrova
Director General, Public Revenue Office, North Macedonia (TBC) - Marko Janković
Director, Tobacco Administration, Serbia (TBC) - Dragana Marković
Director, Tax Administration, Serbia (TBC) - mag. Janko Preac
Acting General Director, Financial Administration, Slovenia
Closing Remarks
Gordana Dimitrieska Kocovska
Minister of Finance, North Macedonia
Coffee & Networking
Conference Dinner
Friday
Closing day
Departure of Participants
End of the Ohrid 2026 Regional Conference programme.
Why Attend
Shape the Fiscal Agenda
Gain first-hand insights into the economic and fiscal challenges affecting the Western Balkans and contribute to discussions that will help shape future policy responses in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
Learn from Regional and Global Leaders
Engage with Ministers of Finance, Heads of Tax Administrations, international financial institutions, policymakers and leading economic experts as they share practical experiences, successful reforms and forward-looking strategies.
Build Strategic Connections
Expand your professional network by connecting with senior public officials, international organizations, academia and private sector leaders committed to strengthening regional cooperation and fiscal resilience.
Experience Ohrid Beyond the Conference
Combine high-level discussions with meaningful networking in one of Europe's most inspiring UNESCO destinations, where professional exchange continues beyond the conference sessions.
Organized by the Balkan Economic Forum (BEF), under the Auspices of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of North Macedonia and supported by Japan Tobacco International (JTI), the conference aims to contribute to more resilient fiscal policies, sustainable economic development and closer regional integration in an increasingly complex global environment.
Location
City of Ohrid
Nestled on the shores of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lake Ohrid, the city of Ohrid is one of Europe's oldest and most captivating cultural destinations. Renowned for its rich history, breathtaking natural beauty and warm hospitality, Ohrid provides an inspiring setting for meaningful dialogue and regional cooperation. Combining centuries of heritage with a modern conference environment, it offers participants a unique opportunity to exchange ideas while experiencing one of the Balkans' most remarkable destinations.
The Venue
Inex Olgica Hotel
The conference will be hosted at Inex Olgica Hotel & Spa, one of North Macedonia's premier conference venues, located directly on the shores of Lake Ohrid, just a few minutes from the city's historic center. With modern conference facilities, elegant accommodation, panoramic lake views and dedicated event services, the hotel provides an exceptional setting for high-level meetings, policy discussions and professional networking. Its combination of comfort, functionality and outstanding location makes it an ideal venue for hosting distinguished guests from across the region and beyond.
Join the Ohrid 2026 Regional Conference
The conference participation fee includes the welcome cocktail, lunch, dinner, coffee breaks and a boat tour on Lake Ohrid.
Payment Details
Please use the following banking details for payment of the conference participation fee.
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Name of the Account Holder
Association for Regional Development Balkan Economic Forum
Здружение за регионален развој Балкан Економик Форум -
Address of the Account Holder
Blvd. Kuzman Josifovski Pitu 19/5-27, 1000 Skopje
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Account Number – MKD Payments
200003452557464
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IBAN – MKD Payments
MK07200003452557464
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Account Number – EUR Payments
200003078054820
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IBAN – EUR Payments
MK07200003078054820
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SWIFT Code
STOBMK2X
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Bank
Stopanska Banka AD Skopje
Philip Vtori Makedonski No. 6, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
Accommodation Payment
Accommodation costs are payable directly to Hotel Inex Olgica, A.D. Ohrid.
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Name of the Account Holder
INEKS GORICA AD
ИНЕКС ГОРИЦА АД -
Address of the Account Holder
Ul. Naum Ohridski No. 5-7, 6000 Ohrid
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Account Number – MKD Payments
300010000022006
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IBAN – MKD Payments
MK07300010000022006
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Account Number – EUR Payments
300701000882473
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IBAN – EUR Payments
MK07300701000882473
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SWIFT Code
KOBSMK2XOHB
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Bank
Komercijalna Banka AD Skopje
St. Vasil Iljoski No. 3, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
