With the overall purpose of creating a more sustainable impact on the promotion of economic growth, regional collaboration, peace and security throughout the Balkan countries, the Balkan Economic Forum was held in Tirana on 17 November, under the auspices of the CEI.
The event – gathering actors of the public and private sector - focused on the development and implementation of innovative strategies and creative solutions to the current economic challenges facing the Balkan countries to stimulate economic growth through regional cooperation.
The official welcome was delivered by Mr. Olivér Várhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, and CEI Deputy Secretary General, Zsuzsanna Kiraly.
DSG Kiraly highlighted that over the last few years, significant results had been achieved in the economic domain – with initiatives such as the Regional Economic Area and the Common Regional Market. She added that the CEI had also supported several initiatives by deploying different actions at the interface between policy dialogue and project-oriented operations and these initiatives were meant to support the Western Balkans, in their path towards the EU.
Sustainable financing in the Balkans, the importance of deep and liquid secondary markets for Non-Performing Loan (NPL) transactions, corporate policy development and agrotech in the Balkans - were the other topics of discussion of the event.
The Balkan Economic Forum (BEF) is independent of any national government, political party or any other vested interest. It 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.