Balkan Economic Conference 2015
Annual Balkan Economic Conference
The Balkan Economic Forum (BEF) is independent of any national government, political party or any other vested interest. BEF operates with an inclusive approach that respects universal human rights and recognises the potential of every individual to actively contribute to the achievement of tangible economic development for the social welfare of a region.
Conference Agenda – Schedule of Events
08:00-09:00 Registration
09:00-09:15 Balkan Economic Forum Introduction
09:15-11:00 Balkan Energy Strategies
A panel discussion among a select group of experts on the oil, gas and renewable energy industries who will address the growing Balkan energy requirements including the need for energy efficiency, reliability and security; the expansion of the Balkan energy network; the Balkans as an increasingly important transportation hub for energy deliveries to Europe from diversified sources; the latest energy priorities and initiatives in the energy sectors to meet the environmental, energy and geopolitical security challenges in the medium to long term; and the expected short to medium term Balkan energy mix which is important to those responsible for private and public sector business planning.
11:00-11:30 Coffee break
11:30-13:00 Private Sector Investment in the Balkans
A panel discussion among experts from key industries who will address the following associated with private sector investment in the Balkans: the need for access to capital; Balkan sources of debt and equity financing; factors, including challenges, that influence private sector investment; the role of advanced technology; and the expectations as well as achievements associated with Balkan private sector investments including their impact on inter-state cooperation, regional economic development and geo-political security.
13:00-14:00 Buffet Lunch
14:00-15:30 Balkan Economic Development Outlook
A panel discussion among Balkan economic development experts who will discuss: a range of successful economic development measures, programmes and organisations that support Balkan private sector investment, sustainable development, global competitiveness, inter-state cooperation, international trade, and the responsible management of natural resources on which many key industries (such as tourism, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and energy) depend; sustainable economic development during this era of national transformations from centralised planning to free market economies; and the economic issues associated with the European migration wave and climate change. The panel discussion will include an assessment of economic development challenges that need to be addressed and conclude with a forecast of the short term regional economic outlook.
15:30-16:00 Coffee break
16:00-17:30 Banking on the Future
A panel discussion among private and public sector banking institution representatives and officials on: interest rates; national priority monetary and fiscal policies; recent banking regulation policies that support a stable banking system and mitigate the risks associated with global conditions beyond the control of any banking institution or national banking system within our globalised banking network; capital controls on banks in Greece; non-performing loans; and favourable Balkan economic growth factors, challenges and recommended priorities for governments from the perspective of the global banking industry..
17:30-19:30 Business networking reception
Please note that English is the working language of the Balkan Economic Forum and will be used by all speakers without translation services throughout the Forum’s official presentation of the conference agenda.
Sponsors
The International New York Times is the essential news source for a global-minded and internationally engaged audience. Kathimerini English Edition is a daily newspaper published in Athens and is distributed exclusively with the International New York Times in Greece & Cyprus. Written by a dedicated editorial team, Kathimerini English Edition provides readers with a comprehensive summary of the political, business, social & cultural news in Greece.
MYTILINEOS HOLDINGS S.A. is one of the largest Greek corporations, active in the Heavy Industries sector since 1908. For more than three generations, its strategy has been focused on creating an Industrial Group active in production sectors which are diverse but key to Greece’s growth.
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The Zafolia Hotel in Athens with a magnificent view of Lycabettus Hill and emphasis on first-rate hospitality is a modern hotel in downtown Athens, a contemporary building design with bold lines of glass and granite outside and the discreet luxury of marble, wood and leather inside.
Results of the 2015 Conference
The 9 November 2015 Balkan Economic Forum conference, consisting of the following four panel discussion sessions among guest speakers, was held at Cotsen Hall at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens in Greece:
A video of each session as well as the issues covered by the panel members can be accessed by clicking on the above-referenced thematic sessions. A video of each session is also available on YouTube.
