The EBRD will host the seven prime ministers of the Western Balkans and Croatia in London later this month, the first time it has hosted so many heads of government at its headquarters.
The prime ministers of Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, FYR of Macedonia, Montenegro And Serbiaall participating under the Gymnich formula.
The February 24 event – the first comprehensive Western Balkans Summit at the EBRD – will provide an ideal opportunity for business leaders and international businesses to learn more about these countries and the Bank’s role in them.
“The idea is to present this region as a whole as an investment destination,” said Oleg Levitin, senior policy advisor at the EBRD. “We hope that this conference, in addition to facilitating much-needed foreign investment, will send a very strong political message about the maturity and stability of the region.
Regional integration through road corridors, gas pipelines, manufacturing expansion and other projects will be high on the agenda.
“We believe that regional integration must become a priority,” said Claudio Viezzoli, EBRD director for the Western Balkans.
The EBRD considers it particularly important to support and promote the Western Balkans to foster the development of the region by strengthening its potential. Countries benefit from the IFIs’ joint action, which includes more than €30 billion in joint commitments for 2013-2014 across Central and South-Eastern Europe.
In the Western Balkans and Croatia alone, the EBRD invested in more than 80 projects totaling more than €1.2 billion in 2013. This is a new record. Over the years, the EBRD’s total investments in the region have reached €10.5 billion.
The Bank is active in all sectors of the economy but has a targeted approach in each country, based on the needs and priorities of each country as defined in the respective national strategies.
A key objective of the EBRD’s increased engagement in the region in recent years has been to support countries in their response to and resolution of the financial crisis that has hit the region hard.
After a long period of contraction, countries again recorded growth of 2 percent on average in 2013 and the outlook for growth in 2014 is similar. The significant catch-up potential and efficiency of increased cross-border economic activity are of particular interest to investors.
The region’s attractiveness for foreign investment has increased thanks to improved political stability and progress in Euro-Atlantic integration in recent years. Croatia became a member of the European Union in 2013, and Montenegro and Serbia are negotiating membership. Other countries are continuing their approach to rapprochement with the EU. At the same time, intensified regional cooperation has significantly improved the region’s economic prospects and stability.
The EBRD sees itself as a supporter of these processes, a promoter of Western Balkan interests and a gateway for international and regional investors considering engagement in the region.
These countries have much to offer: from fertile soil to a strong industrial tradition, from dynamic entrepreneurship to a proud history of innovation, from rich natural resources to a skilled and educated workforce and Stunningly beautiful landscapes – the Western Balkans have it all. .
The Western Balkans Investment Forum offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the countries and the region and connect with key decision-makers and business representatives.
