The Western Balkans Summit 2024

THE ECONOMIST’S OUTLOOK ON THE WESTERN BALKANS
 · How is the region affected by the geopolitical turmoil?

Alasdair Ross, countries editor, The Economist - The World Ahead 2024

Alasdair Ross Countries editor

· Strengthening democracy, security and stability in the Western Balkans 
· Kosovo's Vision for Regional Stability and Prosperity 
· Insights on NATO's role and future challenges 

Official Opening 

Albin Kurti, prime minister, Kosovo
Matteo Renzi, former prime minister, Italy
Lord George Robertson, former secretary-general, NATO

Albin Kurti Prime minister

Matteo Renzi Former prime minister

Lord George Robertson Former secretary-general

The Economist in dialogue with:

Jeffrey M. Hovenier, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo 

• Strengthening economic and financial stability through Euro-Atlantic Integration
• EU Growth Plan: new opportunities and challenges
• Facilitating the European integration process in the Western Balkan
• Political risks challenging stability and development in the Western Balkans

Tomáš Szunyog, ambassador, head of EU Office in Kosovo/EU special representative
Peter Tabak, lead regional economist for the Western Balkans, EBRD
Visar Perani, country officer for Kosovo and North Macedonia, International Finance Corporation, The World Bank Group
Joost Kuhlmann, economic adviser, DG ECFIN, European Commission
Domagoj Juricic, political risk management senior consultant, MKPS, Croatia, fmr chief of staff to the president of Croatia

Tomáš Szunyog Ambassador, head of EU Office in Kosovo, EU special representative

Peter Tabak Lead regional economist for the Western Balkans

Visar Perani Country officer for Kosovo and North Macedonia

Joost Kuhlmann Εconomic adviser, DG ECFIN

Domagoj Juričić Fmr chief of staff to the president of Croatia, Political risk management senior consultant

• Building sustainable infrastructure: transport and environment needs
• Sustainable energy solutions: driving innovation and efficiency in Kosovo
• Implementing reforms and adjustments for sustainable growth
• Large infrastructure/transportation projects in the pipeline: The EIB’s role
• The importance of e-mobility in the business landscape 

Setting the stage:
Adam Schluessler, head of office to Romeo Franz MEP, chair of the delegation for relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, European Parliament

Liburn Aliu, minister of environment, spatial planning and infrastructure, Kosovo
Artane Rizvanolli, minister of economy, Kosovo
Massimiliano Paolucci, country manager for Kosovo & North Macedonia, The World Bank
Sergiy Maslichenko, regional head of Kosovo, EBRD
Branko Čevriz, loan officer and portfolio manager for Western Balkans and Turkey, EIB
Ståle Hagen, project director trains and trams, Yes-EU Group

Adam Schluessler Head of office to Romeo Franz MEP, chair of the delegation for relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo

Liburn Aliu Minister of environment, spatial planning and infrastructure

Artane Rizvanolli Minister of economy

Sergiy Maslichenko Regional head of Kosovo

Ståle Hagen Project director trains and trams

Setting the stage:
David Born, director, Roland Berger Institute, Germany

David Born Director

• Modernising agriculture: food processing in the digital era and green practices 
• Innovative Agricultural Practices for Sustainable Water Management
• Digital transformation strategies, emerging technologies and trends
• Innovating manufacturing: advancing industry practices
• Industrial progress and Innovation: catalysts for business excellence

Setting the stage
Strengthening FDI and export readiness: strategies for private sector growth

Luan Dalipi, chief of staff to the Prime Minister of Kosovo

Faton Peci, minister of agriculture, forestry and rural development, Kosovo 
Rozeta Hajdari, minister of industry, entrepreneurship and trade, Kosovo
Dimosthenis Anagnostopoulos, secretary-general for information systems and digital governance, Ministry of Digital Governance, Greece (via connection)
Bernhard Roeger, agriculture and hypochlorite solutions expert

Luan Dalipi Chief of staff to the Prime Minister of Kosovo

Faton Peci Minister of agriculture, forestry and rural development

Rozeta Hajdari Minister of industry, entrepreneurship and trade

Dimosthenis Anagnostopoulos Secretary general for information systems and digital governance, Ministry of Digital Governance

Bernhard Roeger Agriculture and hypochlorite solutions expert

• Current trends, challenges and opportunities
• Identifying actionable paths forward
• How data-driven decision-making is revolutionising business strategies
• Business planning to drive efficiency, innovation, and competitive advantage

Shpend Ahmeti, managing partner, Data4X
Toni Balažič, CEO, Panvita, fmr chairman of the BoD, Mercator, fmr CEO, Fructal

Shpend Ahmeti Managing partner

Toni Balažič Fmr chairman of the BoD, Mercator, fmr CEO, Fructal, CEO