Fifth Annual Romanian Business & Investment Roundtable

Joan Hoey, editor of the Democracy Index and Europe consultant, Economist Intelligence

Joan Hoey Europe Consultant

Data and digital infrastructure are the new cornerstones of competitive economies. What must countries in the EU, including Romania, do to take advantage of this opportunity?

Iwona Sikora, senior vice-president and general manager, Europe & South Africa, Iron Mountain

Iwona Sikora Senior vice-president and general manager, Europe & South Africa

Advances in technology and telecoms give economies a competitive edge. But across the EU the reach and standards of telecommunications is variable. How can the EU, and Romania, fill gaps in coverage to promote inclusive digital innovation and establish a globally competitive digital infrastructure? Are workforces ready for the digital era? 

Bogdan Gruia Ivan, minister of economy, digitalisation, entrepreneurship and tourism, Government of Romania (via connection)
Marius Posa, undersecretary of state of MCID (Ministry of Research, Innovation and Development), Government of Romania
Joakim Reiter, chief external and corporate affairs officer, Vodafone Group

Marius Poșa Undersecretary of state

Joakim Reiter Chief external and corporate affairs officer

How are economies in the south-east of Europe, including Romania, faring in these uncertain times? Which government policies can support equitable growth and fiscal stability? How worried should euro-zone countries be about inflation? In what ways can Europe’s banking system underpin the region’s competitiveness? Can tax incentives encourage sustainable finance? What are the next steps for the Single European Market and Competitiveness following the Letta and Draghi Reports? Is Bulgaria ready to join the Eurozone in January 2026?

Robert Kalman Raduly, secretary of state, Ministry of Finance, Government of Romania
Sergei Stanishev, former prime minister of Bulgaria
Alexandru Nazare, president, Paneuropean Union Romania, board member, National Bank of Romania

In dialogue with business:
Omer Tetik, chief executive, Banca Transilvania
Georgios Athanasopoulos, chief executive, Vista Bank
Paul-Dieter Cîrlănaru, chief executive, CITR
Mihail Ion, vice-president capital markets, investment banking and personal financial planning, Raiffeisen Bank Romania 
Ionuț Lianu, CFA, chief treasury & ALM Officer, CEC Bank

Róbert Kálmán Ráduly Secretary of state

Sergei Stanishev Former prime minister

Alexandru Nazare President, Paneuropean Union Romania, Board member

Ömer Tetik Chief executive

Georgios Athanasopoulos Chief executive

Paul-Dieter Cîrlănaru Chief executive

Mihail Ion Vice-president capital markets, investment banking and personal financial planning

Ionuț Lianu CFA, chief treasury & ALM officer

How will President Donald Trump’s second term affect both America’s position within NATO and its relationship with the EU? What will Mr Trump’s foreign-policy agenda mean for Ukraine’s NATO membership or the accession of Moldova and Ukraine to the EU?

Victor Ponta, former prime minister of Romania, candidate, Romanian presidential election
Cristian Busoi, former MEP, President ITRE Committee, European Parliament (2019-2024)
Domagoj Juričić, former chief of staff to the president of Croatia, political risk management senior consultant, MKPS, Croatia

As Romania strives to meet its international climate targets, businesses in the country are looking for ways to make their operations greener. This includes reducing waste and maximising resource efficiency. Which industries have the most, and the least, opportunity within the transition towards sustainability? How important is sustainable finance?

Paul Romeo Barbur, secretary of state, Ministry of Environment, Waters, and Forests, Government of Romania
Gemma Webb, chief executive and president, RetuRO SGR
Marcos Buscaglia, founder, Alberdi Partners, author of Beyond the ESG Portfolio

Paul Romeo Barbur Secretary of state

Gemma Webb Chief executive and president

Marcos Buscaglia Founder, Alberdi Partners, author of "Beyond the ESG Portfolio"

The strength of the European Union’s economy comes from the strength of the connections between its economies. How can Europe be better connected through transport, infrastructure and logistics? How much momentum is there for the “Three Seas” initiative to improve connectivity between the Adriatic, Baltic and Black Sea? What infrastructure projects does Romania have in the pipeline to improve connectivity within, and outside of, the country?

Ionut Savoiu, state secretary, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Government of Romania
Victoria Zinchuk, director, head of Romania, EBRD
Stefan Kraus, chief operating officer, Henley & Partners
Bogdan Mărginean, technical subdivision manager, civil engineering, STRABAG Romania
George Kremlis, member of the board of directors, European Public Law Organisation

Ionut Savoiu State secretary

Victoria Zinchuk Director, head for Romania

Stefan Kraus Chief operating officer, member of the executive committee

Bogdan Mărginean Technical subdivision manager, civil engineering

George Kremlis Member of the board of directors

Energy security is critical to the economic stability of the EU. Since 2022 the bloc has shifted away from Russian energy and is increasingly looking to fill gaps with green and renewable energy. How should governments, including those in southeastern Europe, collaborate to help to ensure Europe’s energy security? Can Europe accelerate green transition while keeping energy costs affordable? What lessons can governments learn from the COP29 climate meeting held in November 2024? Will the “Vertical Gas Corridor” improve supplies to Western Europe?

Sebastian-Ioan Burduja, minister of energy, Government of Romania
Matthew Bryza, former US deputy assistant-secretary of state for European and Eurasian Affairs; former US ambassador to Azerbaijan; board member, Overgas
Giles Dickson, chief executive, WindEurope
Alessio Menegazzo, chief executive and country manager, PPC Romania  
Cosmin Ghiță, chief executive, Nuclearelectrica

Sebastian-Ioan Burduja Minister of energy

Matthew Bryza Former US deputy assistant secretary of state for European & Eurasian Affairs, Member of the BoD

Giles Dickson Chief executive

Alessio Menegazzo Chief executive & country manager

Cosmin Ghiță Chief executive