Vienna Economic Forum – Sofia Meeting 2024

Draft 04.03.2024 VIENNA ECONOMIC FORUM SOFIA MEETING 2024 CONTINUING TO BUILD ECONOMIC BRIDGES DURING DIFFICULT TIMES 21/22 April 2024 National Palace of Culture, Hall 6 Bulgaria Blvd, 1463 NDK Sofia, Bulgaria Working Languages: Bulgarian and English Simultaneous Translation will be provided  Sunday, 21 April 2024 Boyana Residence, Building 2 4.00-4.20 p.m. Registration 4.20-4.30 p.m. Family Photo (By Invitation) 4.30-6.30 p.m. OPENING SESSION CONTINUING TO BUILD REGIONAL ECONOMIC BRIDGES – THE ROLE OF INNOVATION, TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION MODERATION • Mr. Boyko VASSILEV, Chief Editor Current Affairs, Bulgarian National Television (BNT) OPENING • Amb. Dr. Elena KIRTCHEVA, Founder and Member of the Board, Secretary General of Vienna Economic Forum (in Bulgarian) • Amb. Dr. Emil BRIX, Director, Diplomatische Akademie Wien (DA)-Vienna School of International Studies, Vienna, President of Vienna Economic Forum WELCOMING WORDS • H.E. Ms. Milena STOYCHEVA, Minister of Innovation and Growth of Bulgaria (in Bulgarian) GREETING WORDS • H.E. The Deputy-Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria • Dr. Akkan SUVER , President, Marmara Group Foundation, Türkiye, Strategic Partner of Vienna Economic Forum IMPULSE STATEMENT • H.E. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria (in Bulgarian) DISCUSSION: MAIN STATEMENT • Mag. Nikolaus-Conrad LORENZ, Strategy Director, Canon CEE GmbH, Member of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum PARTICIPANTS IN THE DISCUSSION • Dr. Barbara KOLM, President Friedrich A, v. Hayek Institute, Director of Austrian Economic Center, Austria, Strategic Partner of Vienna Economic Forum “No Innovations without Education” • Prof. Dr. Danica PURG, President of Bled School of Management, Slovenia, Strategic Partner of Vienna Economic Forum • Dr. Heimo SCHEUCH, CEO, Wienerberger AG, Member of Vienna Economic Forum • High representatives of the Bulgarian, regional and international economy Followed by WELCOME COCKTAIL (for all registered participants for the VEF- Sofia Meeting 2024) 6.30-8.00 p.m. Possibilities for BILATERAL TALKS (organized by VEF)  Monday, 22 April 2024 National Palace of Culture Hall 6 Bulgaria Blvd, 1463 NDK, Sofia 08.00-08.45 a.m. REGISTRATION 08.45-08.55 a.m. FAMILY PHOTO (by invitation) 09.00-09.40 a.m. I. OPENING SESSION CONTINUING TO BUILD ECONOMIC BRIDGES DURING DIFFICULT TIMES DEVELOMPENT OF REGIONAL COOPERATION MODERATION • Mr. Boyko VASSILEV, Chief Editor Current Affairs, Bulgarian National Television (BNT) OPENING • Amb. Dr. Elena KIRTCHEVA, Founder and Member of the Board, Secretary General of Vienna Economic Forum • Amb. Dr. Emil BRIX, Director, Diplomatische Akademie Wien (DA)-Vienna School of International Studies, Vienna President of Vienna Economic Forum MAIN STATEMENT • H.E. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria IMPULSE STATEMENT • TBN 09.45-11.15 a.m. II. SESSION ENSURING ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL STABILITY ON THE PATH TO EUROPE CHALLENGES AND RESPONSIBILITIES – THE ROLE OF THE REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE MODERATION • Mr. Boyko VASSILEV, Chief Editor Current Affairs, Bulgarian National Television (BNT) IMPULSE STATEMENTS • High representative of European Investment Bank (EIB), Luxembourg (tbc) • Mr. Mark BOWMAN, Vice-President, Policy and Partnerships, European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), London MAIN STATEMENTS • H.E. Ms. Milena STOYCHEVA, Minister of Innovation and Growth of Bulgaria (in Bulgarian) • H.E. Mr. Bogdan BOGDANOV, Minister of Economy and Industry of Bulgaria PARTICIPANTS IN THE DISCUSSION • Mr. Peter HÖFINGER, Deputy General Manager and Deputy Chaiman of the Managing Board, Vienna Insurance Group AG (VIG), Vice President of Vienna Economic Forum • Mr. Kalin PESHOV, CEO, Chairman of the Board of GBS Holding AD, Member of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum • High representatives of the Governments of the VEF- Member States • High representatives of the Bulgarian, regional and international economy  Q AND A SESSION with the Audience (led by the Moderator) 11.15 -11.45 a.m. COFFEE BREAK Possibilities for BILATERAL TALKS (organized by VEF) 11.45 a.m. -1.00 III. SESSION p.m. FROM REGION TO REGION ACTING TOGETHER WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE COMMON FUTURE MODERATION • Mr. Boyko VASSILEV, Chief Editor Current Affairs, Bulgarian National Television (BNT) MAIN STATEMENT • TBN PARTICIPANTS IN THE DISCUSSION • VEF- Board members • Mr. Aleksandar VLAHOVIĆ, President, Serbian Association of Economists, Member of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum • Representative, Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Investment Office, Member of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum (tbc) • Ms. Mila NENOVA, Executive Director, InvestBulgaria Agency, Cooperation Partner of Vienna Economic Forum • Ms. Majlinda BREGU, Secretary General, Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Sarajevo • High representatives of Baltic Countries • High representatives of the Bulgarian, regional and international economy Q AND A SESSION With the Audience (led by the Moderator) 1.00-2.00 p.m. NETWORKING LUNCH Possibilities for BILATERAL TALKS (organized by VEF) 2.00-4.30 p.m. IV. SESSION ALPHA SESSION – ASK THE DECISION MAKERS BUILDING ECONOMIC COOPERATION IN DIFFICULT TIMES MODERATION • Mr. Boyko VASSILEV, Chief Editor Current Affairs, Bulgarian National Television (BNT) PARTICIPANTS IN THE DISCUSSION • H.E.H.E. PRIME MINISTERS OF THE VEF- MEMBER COUNTRIES- PATRONS OF VIENNA ECONOMIC FORUM (tbc) EUROPEAN COMMISSION VIEW • H.E. Ms. Adina VĂLEAN, EU Commissioner for Transport (tbc) • H.E. Mr. Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market (tbi) Q AND A SESSION With the Audience (led by the Moderator) 4.00-4.15 p.m. SUMMARY WORDS • Amb. Dr. Elena KIRTCHEVA, Founder and Member of the Board, Secretary General of Vienna Economic Forum • Amb. Dr. Emil BRIX, Director, Diplomatische Akademie Wien (DA)-Vienna School of International Studies, Vienna, President of Vienna Economic Forum 4.15-4.30 p.m. CONCLUDING WORDS H.E. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Followed by SPECIAL AWARD CEREMONY OF THE VIENNA ECONOMIC FORUM- SOFIA MEETING 2024 4.30 p.m. - END OF THE VIENNA ECONOMIC FORUM- SOFIA MEETING 2024