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Moldova and the CEI Region: Bridging East and West Cap riana Monastery , Moldova
Moldova and the CEI Region: Bridging East and West
Cappr
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Founded in 1989, the Central European Initiative (CEI) supportsregional co-operation at economic and political level in central andeastern Europe. Among all the regional groupings in the region, theCEI has the longest history and covers the largest area comprising18 states.
Since its beginnings the mandate of the Initiative has been to helpcountries in transition in their path to become market economies. Toachieve such a goal, the CEI has employed a number of tools. One ofthem aims at bringing together the different stakeholders, business-es, governments and international organisations and at providingthem with a platform where feasible business ideas can be dis-cussed, investment opportunities examined, trade partnershipsestablished, and co-operation agreements made.
This platform is the CEI Summit Economic Forum (SEF).
First organised in Zagreb in 1998, the CEI Forum is now known as theannual flagship event of the Initiative. It takes place each autumn in thecountry holding the CEI presidency in parallel with the Roundtable ofthe Ministers of Economic Sectors and generally preceding the Summitof the Heads of Government of the member countries of the CEI.
This year the SEF took place in Chisinau on 8-9October under the leading theme “Moldova and the CEIRegion: Bridging East and West” and incorporatedanother major event - the annual MoldovaInternational Investment Forum. It was co-organised bythe Secretariat for CEI Projects (CEI-PS), the MoldovanMinistry of Economy and Trade and the MoldovanInvestment and Export Promotion Organisation (MIEPO)with contributions from the Italian Institute for ForeignTrade (ICE, Istituto nazionale Commercio Estero).Precious help was also provided by the European Bankfor Reconstruction and Development.
This year the SEF has been very positive and success-ful. It has provided Moldova with strong visibilitythanks to the high number of international participantsbut also to the great interest from the local press andinternational news agencies. A total of 869 partici-pants from 45 countries attended 12 formal sessionsand benefit from its facilities. Approximately 40 infor-mal one-to-one meetings took place in the bilateralmeetings room purposely arranged by the organisersand more than 150 entrepreneurs visited the Desk ofItaly managed by the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade.
As the event’s feedback showed, the formula of organ-ising specialised sessions beside networking facilities -
like the two above-mentioned - have proved to be very satisfactory,and shall be maintained and expanded in the view of next year’sSEF. The Secretariat for CEI Projects is open to additional proposalsand ideas, to be implemented during next year’s SEF in Romaniaunder the Romanian Presidency of the CEI.
The Secretariat for CEI Projects wishes to thank H.E. Zinaida GRE-CEANII, Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, H.E. Igor DODON,First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Trade of theRepublic of Moldova; all Ministers and Deputy Ministers andGovernment Officials of the Republic of Moldova who contributed tothe SEF.
A special thank you note goes to the staff of the Ministry ofEconomy and Trade and the Moldovan Investment and ExportPromotion Organisation (MIEPO) for the fruitful cooperation and pro-active support in organising the eleventh edition of the SEF.
Finally, the CEI-PS is grateful to the EBRD and in particular to theOfficial Co-Financing Unit and Resident Office – Chisinau for theirprecious support.
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2008 Chisinau (MOLDOVA)“Moldova and the CEI Region - Bridging East and West”: focused onreforms and investments needed to scale up private entrepreneur-ship, innovation and competitiveness with an eye on fosteringregional integration with particular attention to infrastructure, SMEs,ICT, regional integration and trade promotion. Special sessions onMoldova were organised in partnership with the local investmentpromotion agency. Seminars and discussions addressed andanalysed current economic challenges.
869 participants
2007 Sofia (BULGARIA)“Mobilising resources for a common future”: focused on reformsand investments to mobilise resources to support further reformsin the region and foster business development with particularattention to infrastructure, energy efficiency, finance investments,innovation for competitiveness, entrepreneurship, and regional integration.
1863 participants
2006 Tirana (ALBANIA)“Fostering Reforms and innovation for Sustainable Growth”: theForum’s sessions were grouped under three main streams: fosteringbusiness climate, exploiting the local potential and investing ininnovation. The sessions focused as well on Pan-European Corridorsand trade development, competitiveness through innovation, effec-tive delivery of municipal services and integration of WesternBalkans agricultural in the EU.
1003 participants
2005 Bratislava (SLOVAKIA)“Reforms Key to competitiveness”: SEF sessions were groupedunder three main streams or thematic pillars: structural reforms,ways of improving the business environment; development strate-gies for raising competitiveness; infrastructure for entrepre-neurship.
809 participants
2004 Portoroz (SLOVENIA)“Promoting Economic growth across Europe”: focused on competi-tiveness and economic growth: an application of the Lisbon Strategyfor Central and South Eastern Europe; PPPs in Central and EasternEurope; financing rural and agricultural development; promotion ofrenewable energy sources; innovative approaches to energy efficien-cy; financing investment in CEI countries, business climate, opportu-nities, reforms and risks.
1291 participants
2003 Warsaw (POLAND)“Extending the Benefits of EU Enlargement Across Borders”: focusedon: Institutional Development and Business Opportunities,Infrastructure, Transport, Environment and Financial Sector. A widevariety of projects, ideas and other issues concerning the social andeconomic development of the CEI countries were presented andexplained in Panels, Seminars and Interest Group Meetings.
1205 participants
2002 Skopje (MACEDONIA)“Investing in European Integration”: covered a wide range of sub-jects - from women entrepreneurship to railway stock refurbishmentand from food safety enhancement to pension reform in accessioncountries. The topics were grouped into five main "target interest"areas: Institutional and Business Development, Private SectorInvestment Projects, Infrastructure Strategies and Projects, FinancialSector and Technology Inputs to Industry.
1097 participants
2001 Trieste (ITALY)“Growing together - working together” on project opportunities forshared socio-economic growth in CEI countries. The Forum promotedthe CEI strategy of regional cooperation, European integration, eco-nomic transition and assistance to the least advanced member coun-tries, thus actively avoiding the creation of new dividing lines.
1844 participants
2000 Budapest (HUNGARY)“Investment and Trade in central and eastern Europe: WorkingTogether on Business Opportunities”: focused on SME development,Infrastructure and Transport, to IFI's and Information Technology proj-ects: Speakers were drawn from the EBRD, UNECE, World Bank, EU,IFC, OECD, Stability Pact, Investment Promotion Agencies, as well aspolitical and business representatives.
834 participants
1999 Prague (CZECH REPUBLIC)“Investment and trade in central and eastern Europe”. The Forumfocused on fostering economic transition and business development,EU approach to the CEI region, International Financial Institutionsstimulating economic growth and recovery, new investment needsand opportunities in CEI countries and inventory of activities andproposals for reconstruction in South Eastern Europe.
700 participants
1998 Zagreb (CROATIA)“Investment and trade in central and eastern Europe”. The Forumfocused on financial resources for investment projects and regionalapproach for SMEs, with CEI countries reviews describing theirmacroeconomic situations, investments and future EU accession.
1000 participants
cei sef1998 > 2008
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programme
This year’s Economic Forum included 12 formal sessions under the theme “Moldova and the CEI Region: Bridging East and West”. Session werecomplemented by a heavy calendar of bilateral meetings which served as a facility for participants to get to know each other as well as by the“Desk of Italy” managed by the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade.
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This year’s SEF was composed of 12 formal sessions under thetheme “Moldova and the CEI Region: Bridging East and West”.Session were complemented by a calendar of bilateral meetingswhich served as a facility for participants to get to know each otheras well as by the “Desk of Italy” managed by the Italian Institute forForeign Trade.
The CEI Summit Economic Forum was opened by Prime MinisterZinaida GRECEANII and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister ofEconomy and Trade Igor DODON, who stressed the importance ofproviding a ‘perfect platform’ for attracting foreign direct investmentto Moldova as well as for creating business partnerships. The mainconclusion emerging from the Economic Forum is that efforts tomobilise resources – financial, manpower, in terms of political will –are key to ensure further growth and development in the region.Moldova, in addition, can use fiscal incentives to attract investorssuch as low corporation tax. The one-day business forum included12 formal sessions focusing on a wide range of issues spanningfrom agricultural development and food safety, financial institutions,to energy efficiency.
Focus on Financial Institutions
In its 2006 Transition Report, the EBRD stated that ‘financial mar-kets have grown in size and complexity, and the performance ofbanks is improving’. However, due to failings in the legal framework,financial markets are less developed than in other countries withcomparable income. A year later as the global financial turmoil ledto a credit squeeze affecting the global economy members of thepanel assessed the extent to which CEI countries might be affectedby the crisis. Interestingly, it was pointed out that the weak integra-tion of some country’s national financial markets into the interna-tional ones has provided with a relative shell against the crisis.While this stands as a positive feature, it was reiterated that a devel-opment of financial institutions is needed to support economicdevelopment.
Enterprise Innovation and Skills Development
Innovation is a key to long-term productivity growth. Enterprises arethe fundamental source of innovation, but their performance in thisdomain depends on incentives stemming from economic and regula-tory environments, access to critical inputs and their internal capaci-ties to capture market and technological opportunities. This sessionaddressed the theme of innovation in small and medium-scale firmsin South-East Europe (SEE). Lessons relevant to the SEE region weredrawn from a range of best-practice experiences from across theOECD area, in areas such as business angel networks, university-industry linkages programmes and advisory schemes for small firms.
Infrastructure, Private Entrepreneurs and Economic Growth
A first step into the discussion regarding infrastructure in the CEIregion was to single out the most pressing needs: growing needs fortransport infrastructure across the region where singled out. In thiscontext, two sessions provided the audience with a comprehensiveoverview of the system of transport and energy infrastructures, high-lighting strengths and weaknesses as well as medium and long-termdevelopmental challenges for the sector. Speakers provided informa-tion and policy recommendations in line with European programmesin order to make the process of execution of infrastructural worksmore transparent and efficient. Enhanced co-operation between pub-lic and private entities and the promotion of involvement of privateEuropean enterprises in the design and implementation of infrastruc-tural activities was emphasized as the way forward.
Energy and Energy Efficiency
As stressed by Deputy Economy Minister Iurie MUNTEAN, key toMoldova’s economic development is its energy sector while ensuringenergy security for the country. He added that Moldova must have a
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clear energy strategy up to 2020. This is essential for Moldova’sinternational competitiveness as the sector requires a lot of invest-ment”. As further discussed by the rest of the panellists in the ener-gy efficiency session, there is a strong need to think innovatively todiminish energy intensity in Eastern Europe and tackle the negativeconsequences of climate change. ESCOs (Energy Service Companies),incentives, as well as energy audit and environmental managementtraining can provide valuable (but not sufficient) solutions to transferknow-how in energy efficiency matters.
Agriculture
According to Moldova’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture Ion PERJU,who spoke at the session on Agriculture, today’s high global foodprices represent both an opportunity and a threat for Moldova andother Central and Eastern European states. The agricultural sectorrequires substantial investment in both the traditional primary sectorand the small but high-value organic segment in order to begin toreach its full potential. Moldova’s agriculture sector and food process-ing industries account for around 30% of gross domestic product(GDP) and more than 40% of employment, a lack of investment inrecent years coupled with the drought in 2007 – the worst in 60years – means that the country continues to rely on imports of manyfresh fruits and vegetables. Luis Manuel PORTERO SANCHEZ, theHead of the Trade and Economic Section of the EU Delegation toUkraine and Belarus underlined the enormous untapped potential inthe wider Central and Eastern European region, while emphasisingthat a focus on quality was key to creating value-added agriculturalexports, such as organic produce, that will in turn drive sustainablerural development and not merely increase output. At the same time,much work is needed to build and renovate infrastructure in order toimprove living standards in rural areas and bring fresh and high-qual-ity products to market in Moldova and beyond. As in viniculture,reaching foreign markets in the European Union and former CIS,requires investment in high-quality infrastructure, including post-har-vest packaging facilities that ensure products meet the quality, safetyand taste standards demanded by consumers in these markets.
Investing in Moldova
Moldova enjoys a strong relationship with the EU, as confirmed bythe Head of the European Delegation in Moldova, Cesare DE MONTIS.The economic sector has been one of the best performing in theregion, although a lot still needs to be done in order to fully imple-ment the EU-Moldova Action Plan. The country is indeed receivingthe highest amount in millions of Euros of all European neighbour-hood Policy countries (East Region), which is strong evidence of thecommitment of the EU.
Iurie MUNTEAN, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economy andCommerce of Moldova, presented an overview of basic facts and fig-ures, along with structures and trends of the economic and financialsectors. The sources of investments to Moldova are very diverse,accounting for about 80 countries which show a growing interest inthe Moldovan market. Major investments originate from the EU andCIS countries. Moldova shows great cooperation with EU countriesand has favorable conditions in terms of legal framework, tax andcostumes regimes, etc (such as the lowest corporate taxes in theregion (0%) for the investment sectors, thus becoming a very com-petitive country. Cooperation with regional institutional organiza-tions was also outlined as evidence of Moldova’s international coop-eration. Finally, business opportunities were presented (such as 6free economic zones, 1 int’l airport…).
Johan MATHISEN, Resident Representative, IMF, outlined the threemain challenges faced by the country in order to sustain growth overthe medium term. 1. Sustaining the positive macroeconomic trends;2. Stay competitive; 3. Reduce public sector burden on private sector.
In addition, the concept of cluster was explained by the speakeralong with some example of successful international clusters, suchas the Silicon Valley. Moldova’s attainments vis-à-vis the develop-ment of clusters was also outlined with the following conclusions: 1.Innovation activity is not well developed in Moldova; 2. for SME’s iscrucial to increase the productivity and competitiveness through theinnovation and R&D; 3. the following sectors of national economyrecognize the developing clusters at the semi-stage: vine industry,ICT, textile, tourism – as perspective; 4. State support is importantto support clusters. A presentation of a SWOT analysis of the devel-opment strategies for the country was provided by Ms FETIUNUC,with a specific reference to the current economic crisis and the pos-sible repercussions over Moldovan economy. Some conclusions
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drawn by the speaker refer to FDI as the most preferred form of for-eign investment and the necessity to develop the internal capitalmarket. An outline of the opportunities related to the use of renew-able energy was given by the presentation of Ms Istrati,Representative of the Agency for Innovations and Transfer ofTechnologies, showing how biomass has quite a big potential to bedeveloped as a source of renewable energy, including the remains ofthe wine industry which is quite big in the country. The case of thescientific park ACADEMICA was presented. The conclusions drawn toimprove the sector related to the decrease of import of energy arethe following: identification of barriers in terms of legislations, sup-port of the improvement of the economic and scientific potentials.
Another area which can be explored more deeply to achieve furthereconomic development is rural tourism. Positive conditions arealready present in the country such as: competitive environment,favourable location, diversity of partners, formal and informal links.Actions to create more favourable conditions should be the follow-ing: creation of a data base of actors, create jobs related to the sec-tor, attract local people in the tourist sector and involve nationalauthorities.
Bilateral Meetings (Match-making)
Once again, the Business Match-Making served as a very importantcomponent of the Summit Economic Forum. Under the coordinationof the CEI staff, approximately 40 bilateral meetings were organisedamong country delegations, international organisations, entrepre-neurs, bankers, journalists and potential investors. The demand andthe number of meetings showed that the participants to the eventconsider Match-Making as a useful tool to develop their businessactivities. They thus took the opportunity to get to know each otherand talk about projects, programmes, availability of funds, businessproposals and potential future cooperation.
Desk of Italy
The Desk of Italy is an info point launched in 2005 in the forumframework as a tool to support small and medium sized Italianenterprises looking to develop their business abroad. The Desk,managed by the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade (ICE, Istituto
nazionale Commercio Estero), this year has been organised by ICEBucharest Office by setting “meeting points” for Italian public insti-tutions, associations and companies looking at presenting theiractivities and projects in Moldova as well as by organising B2Bmeetings with local operators and representatives of regional andinternational organisations. Once again, the Desk proved to be aplatform for a fruitful cooperation to a large audience of Italianentrepreneurs operating abroad. To this purpose two initiatives tookplace at the Desk:
8 October: a meeting between the Italian community in Moldova andH.E. Stefano DE LEO, future Ambassador of Italy in Chisinau, whichattracted nearly 80 representatives of Italian enterprises and associ-ation operating in the Country.
9 October: two sessions focused on “EBRD Trust Fund and coopera-tion opportunities for the Italian companies” and “Opportunities inthe construction sector in the Republic of Moldova”, organised byANCE (Italian National Association of Constructors).
More than 150 entrepreneurs visited the Desk of Italy. This intereststressed the relevant role played by Italian authorities in the organisa-tion of the Summit Economic Forum. The Desk facilities were very muchappreciated by entrepreneurs as an opportunity for meeting businesscounterparts for discussing trade and investments opportunities.
For further information on ICE activities in Moldova:
ICE OFFICE IN BUCHARESTStr. A. D. Xenopol 15, sector 1010472 Bucharest // Romaniatel. +40 21 2114240fax +40 21 2100613e-mail : [email protected]://www.ice.it/estero2/bucaresthttp://www.italtrade.com/romania
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The Roundtable of the CEI Ministers of Economic Sectors took place,within the framework of the Summit Economic Forum, in the after-noon of Wednesday 8 October 2008 in Chisinau, at the Palace ofthe Republic. The Roundtable’s core theme was “Moldova and the CEIRegion: Bridging East and West”.
Topics under discussions included an analysis of the challengestowards achieving sustainable economic growth in the CEI Region,discussion over economic reforms in Moldova and in the CEI regionin general, trade development, investment opportunities in prioritysectors, support to SMEs and policies to increase flexibility andcompetitiveness. In this context, much emphasis was put on issuesregarding energy efficiency, the deepening of the EuropeanNeighborhood Policy, SMEs development policy, macroeconomic sta-bility and regulatory reforms throughout the region. Member stateshighlighted the solutions to these areas and the reforms put forwardin order to increase the competitiveness of the CEI area as a whole.In particular, the main points that raised consensus among theMember States were the growing need for energy security, thedevelopment of energy infrastructures and the strengthening oftrade exchange in the CEI Region.
The Ministers agreed on the need of taking full advantage of thefuture EU Enlargement process to improve macro-economic stability,accelerate structural reforms, complete the privatization process, aswell as creating a favorable environment for private business activi-ties and foreign investment. The Ministers stressed the importanceof providing a stable investment climate, ensuring an effective andnon-discriminatory regulatory framework for investments as well asupgrading infrastructure and education.
All the Official Delegations present at the Roundtable had theopportunity as they presented the state of the respective economies,to discuss macroeconomic performance and regulatory frameworksin accordance with EU standard. In this respect, a particular accentwas put on the EU integration process and EU accession, confirmedas two core goals that the CEI is to bring forward. The Ministersunderlined the exceptional importance of the CEI as a unique region-al Forum for co-operation and consultation among and among itsMember States.
In conclusion, it emerged that on there is a growing need among themember countries to think globally but to act in partnership withinthe framework of the CEI. For this reason, the CEI Membership hasproved to be an invaluable asset for all the Members. AllDelegations agreed that the structure and the role of the CEI mustbe strengthened in view of the repositioning of the CEI according tothe Decisions ratified in Sofia by the CEI Heads of Government onthe 27th of November 2007.
CEI Member StatesHeads of Delegations
Albania: Mr. Selami XHEPA, Adviser to the Prime Minister
Austria: H.E. Josef MAYER, Vice Minister, Federal Ministry of
Economics and Labour
Belarus: Amb. Vasil SAKOVICH, Embassy in Chisinau
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Ms. Sabrija SERIFOVIC, Assistant Minister,
Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations
Bulgaria: H.E. Valentin IVANOV, Deputy Minister, Ministry of
Economy and Energy
Croatia: Amb. Ivica MASTRUKO, Embassy in Bucharest
Czech Republic: H.E. Milan HOVORKA, Deputy Minister, Ministry
of Trade and Industry
Hungary: Amb. Gyorgy VARGA, Embassy in Chisinau
Italy: Amb. Guglielmo ARDIZZONE, Minister Plenipotentiary,
Special Envoy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Macedonia: H.E. Metodij Hadzi VASKOV, Deputy Minister, Ministry of
Economy
Moldova: H.E. Igor DODON, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Economy and Trade
Montenegro: Mr. Zoran TOMIC, Secretary, Ministry of Economic Development
and Energy
Poland: H.E. Grazyna HENCLEWSKA, Vice Minister, Ministry of Economy
Romania: Mr. Darius MESCA, Secretary of State, Ministry of
Economy and Finance
Serbia: H.E. Boyana TODOROVIC, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economy
Slovakia: Ms. Eva SZABOOVA, Section General Director, Ministry of Economy
Slovenia: Ms. Sabina KOLESA, Director General, Ministry of Economy
Ukraine: H.E. Valeriy PIATNYTSKYI, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economy
International Organisation and Financial InstitutionsHeads of Delegations
Central European Initiative (CEI)
Amb. Pietro Ercole AGO, Secretary General
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
Ms. Brigita SCHMOGNEROVA, Vice-President, Environment,
Procurement and Administration
European Commission (EC)
Amb. Cesare DE MONTIS, Head of Delegation to Moldova
European Investment Bank (EIB)
Mr. Peter JEFFREYS, Senior PPP Specialist
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Mr. Christophe ROSENBERG, Senior Regional Representative,
Central Europe and the Baltics
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
Mr. Antonio FANELLI, Senior Expert
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
Mr. Daniel IVARSSON, Senior Adviser
World Bank (WB)
Ms. Ala PINZARI, Acting Director, Office in Moldova
the roundtable of thecei ministers of economic sectors
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The Summit Economic Forum was financed by the Governments of Italy and Moldova. Significant financial contributions were also provided by anumber of local and international companies. The Secretariat for CEI Projects, the Moldovan Ministry of Economy and Trade as well as theMoldovan Investment and Export Promotion Organisation (MIEPO) would like to thank all sponsors for their valuable support.
Co-Sponsors
Supporters
sponsors
Eximbank
Gruppo Veneto Banca
171/1 Stefan cel Mare si Sfant AvenueMD-2004 // Chisinau // Moldovatel. +373 22 301 102 // fax +373 22 601 611e-mail : [email protected] // homepage : www.eximbank.com
The Joint Stock Commercial Bank “Eximbank” Gruppo Veneto Banca is a mem-ber of the Italian banking group Veneto Banca.
During 14 years of activity the bank established itself as a universal financialinstitution, registering one of the most dynamic rates of growth in the bankingsystem of Moldova, due to capital injection in the form of granted credit linesand increase of paid –up capital by Veneto Banca s.c.p.a. after its acquisitionon May 15, 2006.
“Eximbank” Gruppo Veneto Banca ranks 1st by the paid up capital and 2nd by thetier-one capital among the commercial banks in the country.
The Bank provides full range of banking services permitted on the local bank-ing market: current account and related services, local and international trans-fers, cash management, financing, guarantees and international trade relatedtransactions, bank cards, deposits acceptance, operations with state and corpo-rate securities, brokerage, custody, Internet banking “Eximbank-online”, etc.
The territorial coverage ensures Eximbank’s Gruppo Veneto Banca presence inall major cities across the country. Bank’s branch network from Soroca andBalti in the North to Cahul and Taraclia close to the Giurjulesti oil terminal inthe South allows fast execution of transactions in real-time mode. CurrentlyEximbank Gruppo Veneto Banca has 18 branches and 21 representative offices.
BC “Mobiasbanca
Groupe Société Générale” SA
81-a Stefan cel Mare si Sfant Avenue MD-2012 // Chisinau // Moldovatel. / fax : + 373 22 541974e-mail : [email protected] // homepage : www. mobiasbanca.md
Created in 1990 - one of the first commercial bancs in the Republic of Moldova.From 2007 is part of Groupe Société Générale.
• An universal commercial bank providing services to businesses and toindividuals
• A bank with business solutions and innovative products
• A bank with a personalised attitude and approach
• A growing and developing bank
• A bank that bring innovation and progress
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The 11th CEI Summit Economic Forum enjoyed very successful andsignificant media coverage, from international but especially fromnational TV, radio and print media. Just over 50 journalists coveredthe event from a large number of TV stations, Radio Stations andnewspapers, magazines and internet media.
Journalists enjoyed an array of facilities (press room and press con-ferences) that enabled them to directly meet and interview speakersand participants.
In addition, they were able to attend the scheduled press confer-ences that were held after the opening and closing ceremonies.
Media Partners
BUSINESS MONITOR INTERNATIONAL
Established in 1984, BusinessMonitor International is a leadingprint and online publisher of spe-
cialist business information on global emerging markets. Our rangeof daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly services, including EmergingEurope Monitor covers political risk, finance, macroeconomic per-formance, outlook and forecast, industry sectors and the businessoperating environment. BMI also publishes directories and CD-ROMsprofiling multinational companies active in emerging markets. Visitwww.businessmonitor.com to find out more about BMI publications.
ISI EMERGING MARKETS
Internet Securities, Inc. (ISIEmerging Markets), was foundedin 1994 and acquired by
Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC in 1999. It delivers hard-to-getinformation on more than 80 emerging markets through its award-winning online Emerging Markets InformationService. It aggregates and produces unique contentincluding full-text news articles, financial state-ments, company information, industry analyses,equity quotes, macroeconomic statistics, and mar-ket-specific information, which are derived directlyfrom more than 13,000 local and global publica-tions. ISI Emerging Markets subscribers include topinvestment banks, corporations, law firms, consult-ants, investment and insurance companies, univer-sities and libraries, multilateral organizations, andothers. In addition to worldwide headquarters inNew York and European headquarters in London,clients are served through 28 offices in Asia,Africa, Europe and Latin America. For more infor-mation, please visit www.securities.com
SEENEWS
SeeNews is a business and financialnews and information provider grantingits visitors and customers access to
detailed coverage on the fast-growing companies, economies andmarkets of the ten Southeast European nations.
SBR SLOVENIA BUSINESS REPORT
SBR is an independent publisher of busi-ness magazines in English. Althoughbased in Slovenia, the company operatesinternationally, with publications aimed at
a global readership, and it works with writers of ten different nation-alities. SBR's flagship publication is its new SEE Business magazine,which covers business developments in Southeastern Europe – one ofthe world's fastest-growing and most vibrant regions. Published bi-monthly in 2008, the magazine will start appearing on a monthlybasis from January 2009. SBR also publishes Slovenian BusinessReport, a quarterly magazine providing feature stories and con-densed reports on Slovenia's business world, its expanding economy,its top companies and its industries. In short, SBR and SEE Business:two spotlights illuminating the business, politics and culture ofEurope’s fastest-growing region.
TEMPLETON THORP
TT-Total is an online, in-depth mul-tiple source intelligence and infor-mation platform in both English
and Russian covering 30 countries from Central Europe to CentralAsia, and 44 sectors from agribusiness to transport. The service isprovided by Templeton Thorp, the definitive independent marketspecialist for all forms of intelligence, business and political infor-mation, and due diligence in the former Soviet Union and Central,Southern and Eastern Europe. Website: www.tt-total.com.
media coverageand partners
Business Magazine for Southeastern EuropeBusiness Magazine for Southeastern Europe
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Registered participants 869
Countries represented 45
IOs, IFIs and other int’l associations 16
Speakers 101
International speakers 69%
National speakers 31%
Sessions 12
Entrepreneurs at the Desk of Italy 150
Bilateral business meetings 40
Journalist reporting from the event 53
Session attendance (peak attendance)
Sessions attendance
Official Opening Ceremony 465
1.1 46
1.2 105
1.3 31
2.1 210
2.2 42
2.3 53
3.1 52
3.2 56
3.3 31
4.1 71
4.2 58
4.3 75
Closing Ceremony 141
Participants satisfaction and questionnaires
The analysis of the questionnaires on SEF participants' satisfactionhas proved to be an excellent tool to assess the SEF both as a con-cept as well as in terms of its organisation. According to the resultsgathered, it appears that similarly to the past editions both theoverall concept of the SEF and its organisation were evaluated witha high score (average 4.0 out of 5). 85% of the participantsdeclared they would attend the SEF again next year. The evaluationof the sessions in terms of interest in subjects discussed and theevaluation of the level of speakers and presentations scored a high4.2. The match-making system and bilateral meetings could besomewhat improved (av.3.8). Participants expressed high satisfac-tion about the overall logistics, documentation, information andassistance provided by the organisers (av.4.3). The CEI website andsocial events were positively evaluated as well (4. and 4.2 respec-tively).
sef in figures
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organisers
Central European Initiative
Project Secretariat
Programme Manager: Mr. Guido Paolucci
Trieste Office at the CEI Headquarters Via Genova 9 // 34121 Trieste // Italytel. +39 040 7786 777 // fax +39 040 7786 766 e-mail : [email protected] : www.ceinet.org
Senior Executive Officer: Ms. Slavena RadovanovicExecutive Officer: Ms. Elisabetta DovierExecutive Officer: Mr. Adrian KelerTeam Assistant: Ms. Rossana UrsoSEF Intern: Anastasia Melenevska
London Office at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
One Exchange Square // London EC2A 2JN // UK tel. +44 20 7338 7471 // fax +44 20 7338 6538 e-mail : [email protected] : www.ebrd.com
Associate Manager: Ms. Marta Simonetti - WhitfordAnalyst: Mr. Yannis ArvanitisTeam Secretary: Ms. Solange Hein
Ministry of Economy and Trade,
Republic of Moldova
H.E. Igor Dodon, First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Trade
Piata Marii Adunari Nationale Str. 1MD 2033 // Chisnau // Moldovatel. +373 22 23 74 48 // fax +373 22 23 40 64e-mail : [email protected] : www.mec.gov.md
Moldovan Investment and Export
Promotion Organisation (MIEPO)
Alexe Mateevici str. 65MD 2009 // Chisnau // Moldovatel. +373 22 27 36 54 // fax +373 22 22 43 10e-mail : [email protected] : www.miepo.md
Ms. Lilia Russu, DirectorMr. Sergiu Gogu, Investment Consultant
European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (EBRD)
One Exchange Square // London EC2A 2JN // UK tel. + 44 20 7338 6000 // fax + 44 207338 6100e-mail : [email protected] : www.ebrd.com
Italian Institute for Foreign Trade
(ICE, Istituto Nazionale Commercio Estero)
Via Liszt, 21 // 00144 Rome // Italytel. +39 06 59921 // fax +39 06 59647382 e-mail : [email protected] : www.ice.it
SEF was organised in co-operation with
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The Central European Initiative (CEI) comprises 18 Member States.
Membership extends over a territory of 2.4 million square kilometres
with a population of nearly 260 million. From the very beginning, the
main aim of the Initiative has been to help transition countries in
Central and Eastern Europe in their journey towards further integration
with EU structures. Although the CEI is not a major donor organisation,
it has several funds which are used to promote projects in a number of
sectors. The accession of five CEI Member States to the EU in May
2004, and of Bulgaria and Romania in January 2007, has shifted the
CEI focus towards those Member States remaining outside the EU. By
developing and implementing various projects and programmes, the
CEI assists its Member States in a concrete and demand-driven manner.
Secretariat for CEI Projects
London officeEBRD, One Exchange Square
London, EC2A 2JN, UKtel. +44 207 338 6152fax +44 207 338 6538
e-mail : [email protected]
Trieste officeVia Genova, 9
34121 Trieste, Italytel. +39 040 7786 777fax +39 040 77 86 766e-mail : [email protected]
More information availableon the CEI official website:
www.ceinet.org
Montenegro
Poland
Romania
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Ukraine
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech Republic
Hungary
Italy
Macedonia
Albania
Austria
Belarus
Bosnia and Herzegovina
C E Im e m b e r s t a t e s
