With somewhat different agenda when compared to the initial plans, mainly related to the developments with the Coronavirus, the Kopaonik Business Forum 2020 was nevertheless held in the outlined period this year and attracted numerous participants. The attendance included former high statespersons from the Western Balkans region, numerous business leaders, company managers from the region and beyond, representatives of the EU and the diplomatic communities of various countries, of the international financial institutions, of the academic community, of the media etc. This year included, the “Serbian Davos” continues its tradition as a top business event in our region.

A special event was held at the beginning, in the scope of the so-called “Podgorica Club”, where former presidents and prime ministers of Western Balkans countries debated on the vision for the region by 2030. During the second day, Jorgovanka Tabaković, Governor of the National Bank of Serbia, as well as Siniša Mali, Minister of Finance of Serbia, addressed the audience. Thirteen panel discussions were held, some even concurrently.

The panel discussions encompassed broad spectrum of topics. The representatives of the IMF, the World Bank and regional experts debated on the macroeconomic developments, the trends and challenges to our region, on the geopolitical changes and the Western Balkans, on the latest developments in the insurance sector, on the payment transactions, the digital transformation etc. Several panel discussions focused on the current events in Serbia, its economic relations with Slovenia, protection of competition, non-governmental sector etc.

The Economic Chamber of Macedonia also participated in the Kopaonik Business Forum 2020. The speakers that took part in the panel titled “Western Balkans – regional economic area” were Safet Gerxhaliu, Secretary General of the Chamber Investment Forum (CIF), Staša Košarac, Minister of International Trade and Economic Relations in the BIH Council of Ministers, Izidor Krivec, Vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, Berat Rukiqi, President of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce and Zoran Jovanovski of the Economic Chamber of Macedonia. The discussion was characterized by an interest from every party in intensification of the cooperation and discovery of solutions to the practical problems that the six Western Balkans economies face.

The Kopaonik Business Forum 2020 continues today with 14 new panel discussions…