MAY 30TH 2022 (DAY ONE)
MAY 30TH 2022 (DAY ONE)
9:00 – 10:00
9:00 – 10:00
10:00 – 10:15
Mr. Fatmir Besimi
Minister of Finance, Republic of North Macedonia
10:00-10:15
Mr. Fatmir Besimi – Minister of Finance of the Republic of North Macedonia
10:15 – 10:30
Mr. Dimitar Kovachevski
Prime Minister, Republic of North Macedonia
10:15-10:30
Mr. Dimitar Kovachevski – Prime Minister, Republic of North Macedonia
10:30 – 11:00
Mr. Paul Krugman
Distinguished Professor of Economics at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York
Recipient of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Economics
10:30-11:00
Mr. Paul Krugman – Distinguished Professor of Economics at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, Recipient of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Economics
PILLAR 1. MACROECONOMIC CHALLENGES IN TURBULENT TIMES
11:00-11:40
Ms. Anna Bjerde
Vice President of World Bank for Europe and Central Asia
Mr. Johannes Hahn (online/video message)
EU Commissioner for Budget and Administration
11:00-11:20
Keynote Speakers
Ms. Anna Bjerde – Vice President of World Bank for Europe and Central Asia
Mr. Johannes Hahn (online/video message) – EU Commissioner for Budget and Administration
11:40-12:40
The pandemic exposed major differences and inequalities between and within regions and countries. Governments provided massive fiscal support to economic recovery, limiting the scars of the pandemic, and, more recently, engaged actively in the markets to curb the energy crisis impact. How to mitigate the social consequences of higher food and energy inflation? Can fiscal interventions continue under elevated public debts? How to find the delicate balance between fiscal consolidation and further support for growth? Central banks are signaling interest rate rises are coming soon. What would be the implications from rising interest rates? Will inflation be brought under control? How could this be best achieved without compromising the recovery?
Mr. Fatmir Besimi
Minister of Finance, Republic of North Macedonia
Mr. Sinisha Mali (tbc)
Minister of Finance, Republic of Serbia
Ms. Delina Ibrahimaj
Minister of Finances and Economy, Republic of Albania
Mr. Hekuran Murati
Minister of Finances and Economy, Republic of Kosovo
Mr. Vjekoslav Bevanda
Minister of Finance, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mr. Aleksandar Damjanovic
Minister of Finance, Montenegro
Moderator:
Mr. Aleksandar Stojkov, Iustinianus Primus Law Faculty, UKIM
Ms. Blagica Petreski, Director of FinanceThink
Written summary by:
11:40-12:40
Panel 1: Fiscal Policies
The pandemic exposed major differences and inequalities between and within regions and countries. Governments provided massive fiscal support to economic recovery, limiting the scars of the pandemic, and, more recently, engaged actively in the markets to curb the energy crisis impact. How to mitigate the social consequences of higher food and energy inflation? Can fiscal interventions continue under elevated public debts? How to find the delicate balance between fiscal consolidation and further support for growth? Central banks are signaling interest rate rises are coming soon. What would be the implications from rising interest rates? Will inflation be brought under control? How could this be best achieved without compromising the recovery?
Panelists
Mr. Fatmir Besimi – Minister of Finance, Republic of North Macedonia
Mr. Sinisa Mali (tbc) – Minister of Finance, Republic of Serbia
Ms. Delina Ibrahimaj – Minister of Finances and Economy, Republic of Albania
Mr. Hekuran Murati – Minister of Finances and Economy, Republic of Kosovo
Mr. Vjekoslav Bevanda (tbc) –Minister of Finance, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mr. Aleksandar Damjanovic – Minister of Finance and Social Welfare, Montenegro
Moderator:
Mr. Aleksandar Stojkov, Iustinianus Primus Law Faculty, UKIM
Ms. Blagica Petreski, Director of FinanceThink
Written summary by:
12:40 – 12:50
Coffee break
12:40-12:50
Coffee break
12:50-13:50
Monetary policies were accommodative and broadly supportive to economic recovery. However, inflation has risen sharply in recent months, strongly driven by higher energy and food prices. Central banks are signaling interest rate rises are coming soon. Will inflation be brought under control? Could non-performing loans (NPLs) undermine financial stability? Are the capital buffers sufficient to ensure resilience of the banking systems?
Mr. Paul Hilbers (tbc)
Alternate Executive Director (The International Monetary Fund)
Ms. Anita Angelovska Bezoska
Governor, National Bank of the Republic of North Macedonia
Mr. Bostjan Vasle
Governor, Bank of Slovenia
Ms. Jorgovanka Tabakovic (tbc)
Governor, National Bank of Serbia
Mr. Dimitar Radev (tbc)
Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank
Mr. Fehmi Mehmeti (tbc)
Governor of the Central Bank of Kosovo
Mr. Radoje Žugić
Governor, The Central Bank of Montenegro
Ms. Stephanie Eble (tbc)
IMF Resident Representative to the Regional Office for the Western Balkans
Mr. Vladimir Gligorov
Senior research associate, The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies
Moderator:
Mr. Vladimir Shimic, Professor of Economics, Faculty of Economics (Split, Croatia)
Written summary by:
12:50 – 13:50
Monetary policies were accommodative and broadly supportive to economic recovery. However, inflation has risen sharply in recent months, strongly driven by higher energy and food prices. Central banks are signaling interest rate rises are coming soon. Will inflation be brought under control? Could non-performing loans (NPLs) undermine financial stability? Are the capital buffers sufficient to ensure resilience of the banking systems?
Mr. Paul Hilbers (tbc) – Governor, National Bank of the Republic of North Macedonia
Ms. Anita Angelovska Bezoska – Governor, National Bank of the Republic of North Macedonia
Mr. Bostjan Vasle – Governor, Bank of Slovenia
Ms. Jorgovanka Tabakovic (tbc) – Governor, National Bank of Serbia
Mr. Dimitar Radev (tbc) – Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank
Mr. Fehmi Mehmeti (tbc) – Governor of the Central Bank of Kosovo
Mr. Radoje Žugić – Governor of the Central Bank of Montenegro
Ms. Stephanie Eble (tbc) – IMF Resident Representative to the Regional Office for the Western Balkans
Mr. Vladimir Gligorov – Senior research associate, The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies
Moderator:
Mr. Vladimir Shimic, Professor of Economics, Faculty of Economics (Split, Croatia)
Written summary by:
13:50 – 14:50
Lunch break (Discussion with the Former Ministers of Finance)
13:50 – 14:50
Lunch break (Discussion with the Former Ministers of Finance)
PILLAR 2. RESILIENCE, COMPETITIVENESS, AND REGIONAL COOPERATION
14:50 – 15:30
Mr. Paolo Gentiloni (tbc)
European Commissioner for Economy
Ms. Susan Danger
CEO of AmCham Europe
14:50 – 15:30
Mr. Paolo Gentiloni (tbc) – European Commissioner for Economy
Ms. Susan Danger – CEO of AmCham Europe
15:30 – 16:30
Energy crisis, supply chain bottlenecks and disruptions, labor turnover and brain drain, wage and input prices’ pressures, regulatory requirements… Doing business in the region of South Eastern Europe is especially challenging in uncertain times. Economic diplomacy can significantly strengthen regional cooperation and Euro-Atlantic perspectives. What are the key obstacles for doing business in the region? How to strengthen regional cooperation? Do all businesses need government support? Over the long-term adoption of new technologies may account for a large portion of productivity growth. How to balance the short-term recovery with long-term objectives of adoption of new technologies? How to speed up digitalization? Should Special Economic Zones be central to promotion of technological development? How to build a competitive and resilient business sector? What is the potential of digitization in improving resilience and competitiveness?
Mr. Dragan Davitkov
President of Board of Directors, American Chamber of Commerce of North Macedonia
Mr. Petar Ivanov
Executive Director of AmCham Bulgaria
Ms. Nikolaos Bakatselos
President of AmCham Greece
Mr. Zivko Mukaetov
CEO of Alkaloid
Mr. Branko Azeski
Economic Chamber of North Macedonia
Mr. Nebi Hoxha
Economic Chamber of North-West Macedonia
Mr. Trajan Angeloski
Union of Economic Chambers, North Macedonia
Ms. Aneta Antova Pesheva
The Chamber of Commerce for Information and Communication Technologies – MASIT
CEO of A1
Moderator:
Mr. Andi Aranitasi, Head of North Macedonia at European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Written summary by:
15:30 – 16:30
Mr. Petar Ivanov – Executive Director of AmCham Bulgaria
Ms. Nikolaos Bakatselos – President of AmCham Greece
Mr. Zivko Mukaetov – CEO of Alkaloid
Mr. Dragan Davitkov – President of Board of Directors, American Chamber of Commerce of North Macedonia
Mr. Branko Azeski – Economic Chamber of North Macedonia
Mr. Nebi Hoxha- Economic Chamber of North-West Macedonia
Mr. Trajan Angeloski- Union of Economic Chambers, North Macedonia
Ms. Aneta Antova Pesheva – The Chamber of Commerce for Information and Communication Technologies – MASIT
CEO of A1
Moderator:
Mr. Andi Aranitasi, Head of North Macedonia at European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Written summary by:
MAY 31st 2022 (DAY TWO)
MAY 31st 2022 (DAY TWO)
10:00-10:30
H.E. Stevo Pendarovski
President of the Republic of North Macedonia
Mr. Talat Xhaferi
President of the Parliament of North Macedonia
Mr. Klaus Schwab (tbc)
Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum
10:00-10:30
H.E. Stevo Pendarovski – President of the Republic of North Macedonia
Mr. Talat Xhaferi – President of the Parliament of North Macedonia
Mr. Klaus Schwab (tbc) – Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum
PILLAR 3. ENERGY, GREEN TRANSITION, AND INFRASTRUCTURE
10:30 – 11:00
Ms. Odile Renaud-Basso
President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Ms. Lilyana Pavlova
Vice-President of the European Investment Bank
10:30-11:00
Keynote Speakers
Ms. Odile Renaud-Basso – President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Ms. Lilyana Pavlova – Vice-President of the European Investment Bank
11:00-12:00
Reducing health and environmental impacts of pollution should factor into the design and conduct of policies and strategies. While the environmental legislation may be in place, its enforcement is still a significant challenge in the region. Whilst aiming reduction of environmental impacts, energy policies are also intertwined with geopolitical issues. Are the increases of energy prices transitory or temporary? How does the current energy price shock impact competitiveness? Should governments aim for effective energy networks or energy independence? What are the prospects for greater reliance on renewable energy sources as a decarbonisation strategy? How to modernize the overall transport infrastructure, including climate mitigation, adaptation and preparation of Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure combined with EV rollout? What are the best practices in improving energy efficiency? How to finance the green transition and build a sustainable economy? Can we build a sustainable municipal infrastructure, which includes air pollution, urban transport challenges, water infrastructure, waste water and solid waste management?
Mr. Klaus Müller (tbc)
KfW Director Southeast Europe
Mr. Artur Lorkowski
Director of the Energy Community Secretariat
Mr. David Geer
Head of EU delegation
Mr. Naser Nuredini
Minister of Environment, Republic of North Macedonia
Mr. Armen Grigoryan
Resident Representative of UNDP
Mr. Stefan Peter
CEO of EVN
Mr. Marko Bislimovski
Regulatory Commission for Energy
Moderator:
Ms. Aleksandra Nakjeva Ruzin, Professor of Economics, University American College
Written summary by:
11:00-12:00
Panel 4: Energy and Green Transition
Panelists
Mr. Klaus Müller (tbc) – KfW Director Southeast Europe
Mr. Artur Lorkowski – Director of the Energy Community Secretariat
Mr. David Geer – Head of EU delegation
Mr. Naser Nuredini – Minister of Environment, Republic of North Macedonia
Mr. Armen Grigoryan – Resident Representative of UNDP
Mr. Stefan Peter – CEO of EVN
Mr. Marko Bislimovski – Regulatory Commission for Energy
Moderator:
Ms. Aleksandra Nakjeva Ruzin, University American College
Written summary by:
12:00-12:15
Coffee break
12:00-12:15
Coffee break
12:15-13:00
Developing infrastructure and services that are viable, green, resilient, well-governed, integrated, and inclusive, can drive sustainable development. A new emerging trend of increased geopolitical importance in trade policies, infrastructure and connectivity poses challenges especially to small countries and their growth prospects. What are the investment priorities in the region of South-eastern Europe? Are the latest events a turning point in regional cooperation? How to balance between short political gains and long-term development impact of infrastructure projects? How to increase implementation capacity to speed up the closing of the infrastructure gap? How to secure a fiscal space for infrastructure investments? How to mobilize the private sector in upgrading the energy infrastructure? What types of infrastructure will be most needed in the next 5, 10, 20 years? How to promote Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to involve the private sector in the government initiatives? Which sectors lend themselves more to PPPs? How to make the investments in energy successful even with private sector involvement only?
Mr. Fatmir Bytiqi
Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs
Ms. Beata Javorcik (tbc)
Chief Economist, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Mr. Ary Naïm
Regional Manager, Central and Southeast Europe, International Finance Corporation
Mr. Blagoj Bocvarski
Minister of Transport and Communications
Mr. Alessandro Zanota
Delegation of EU
Mr. Alessandro Bragonzi
Head of Regional Representation of European Investment Bank for Western Balkans
Moderator:
Mr. Borko Handjiski, Head of Strategic Projects and Policies, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Written summary by:
12:15-13:00
Mr. Fatmir Bytiqi – Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs
Ms. Beata Javorcik (tbc) – Chief Economist, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Mr. Ary Naïm – Regional Manager, Central and Southeast Europe, International Finance Corporation
Mr. Blagoj Bocvarski – Minister of Transport and Communications
Mr. Alessandro Zanota – Delegation of EU
Mr. Alessandro Bragonzi – Head of Regional Representation of European Investment Bank for Western Balkans
Moderator:
Mr. Borko Handjiski – Head of Strategic Projects and Policies, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Written summary by:
13:00-13:45
Lunch break
13:00-13:45
Lunch break
PILLAR 4. BEYOND THE CRISIS: DRIVERS FOR SUSTAINING GROWTH
13:45-14:15
Mr. Olivér Várhelyi (video message)
European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement
Sir Tony Blair (video message)
Executive Chairman, The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
Mr. Gabriel Escobar (tbc)
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State
Mr. Artan Grubi
First Deputy Prime Minister
13:45-14:15
Mr. Olivér Várhelyi (video message) – European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement
Sir Tony Blair (video message) – Executive Chairman, The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
Mr. Gabriel Escobar (tbc) – Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State
Mr. Artan Grubi – First Deputy Prime Minister
14:15-15:15
Ms. Majlinda Bregu
Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council
Mr. Filip Nikoloski
Deputy Minister of Finance
Ms. Nora Aliti (tbc)
President of the Securities and Exchange Commission
Mr. Nikola Popovski
Professor of Economics (International Slavic University, North Macedonia)
Mr. Ivan Steriev
CEO of the Macedonian Stock Exchange
Mr. Gligor Bishev
President of Education Commision (Economic Chamber of North Macedonia)
Mr. Toni Stojanovski
Chief Corporate Officer of Stopanska banka and Macedonian Banking Association
Mr. Bilal Sucubasi
Halk Banka ad Skopje (Macedonian Banking Association)
Moderator:
Ms. Magdalena Simonovska, Special Advisor, Ministry of Finance
Written summary by:
14:15-15:15
Ms. Majlinda Bregu – Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council
Mr. Filip Nikoloski – Deputy Minister of Finance
Ms. Nora Aliti (tbc) – President of the Securities and Exchange Commission
Mr. Nikola Poposki – Professor of Economics (International Slavic University, North Macedonia)
Mr. Ivan Steriev – CEO of the Macedonian Stock Exchange
Mr. Gligor Bishev –President of Education Commision (Economic Chamber of North Macedonia)
Mr. Toni Stojanovski – Chief Corporate Officer of Stopanska banka and Macedonian Banking Association
Mr. Bilal Sucubasi – Halk Banka ad Skopje (Macedonian Banking Association)
Moderator:
Ms. Magdalena Simonovska (Ministry of Finance)
Written summary by:
15:15-16:00
Ms. Slavica Grkovska
Deputy President of the Government in charge of good governance policies
Mr. Nikola Tupanceski
Minister of Justice
Mr. Bojan Maricic
Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs
H.E. Ms. Rachel Galloway
British Ambassador to North Macedonia
H.E. Mr. Clemens Koja
Ambassador and Head of OSCE Mission to Skopje
Mr. Eric Meyer
Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Skopje
Moderator:
Ms. Besa Arifi, Full Professor of Law, South East European University, Tetovo
Written summary by:
15:15-16:00
Ms. Slavica Grkovska – Deputy President of the Government in charge of good governance policies
Mr. Nikola Tupanceski – Minister of Justice
Mr. Bojan Maricic – Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs
H.E. Ms. Rachel Galloway –British Ambassador to North Macedonia
H.E. Mr. Clemens Koja – Ambassador and Head of OSCE Mission to Skopje
Mr. Eric Meyer – Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Skopje
Moderator:
Ms. Besa Arifi, Full Professor of Law, South East European University, Tetovo
Written summary by:
16:00 – 16:45
Mr. Jamele Rigolini
Lead Economist at the World Bank (Vienna, Austria)
Akad. Prof. Dr. Taki Fiti
Professor of Economics and Academician (MANU)
Acad. Prof. Dr. Abdylmenaf Bexheti
Professor of Economics and Academician (MANU)
Mr. Trajko Slaveski
Professor of Economics (Faculty of Economics, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University)
Mr. Jeton Shaqiri
Minister of Education and Science
Mr. Bekim Sali
Minister of Health
Mr. Jovana Trenchevska
Minister of Labor and Social Policy
Representative of Rosh (Tbc)
Moderator:
Ms. Nikica Mojsoska Blazevski,
Executive Director of Macedonia2025
Written summary by:
16:00 – 16:45
Mr. Jamele Rigolini – Lead Economist at the World Bank (Vienna, Austria)
Akad. Prof. Dr. Taki Fiti – Professor of Economics and Academician (MANU)
Acad. Prof. Dr. Abdylmenaf Bexheti – Professor of Economics and Academician (MANU)
Mr. Trajko Slaveski – Professor of Economics (Faculty of Economics, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University)
Mr. Jeton Shaqiri- Minister of Education and Science
Mr. Bekim Sali- Minister of Health
Mr. Jovana Trenchevska – Minister of Labor and Social Policy
Representative of Rosh (Tbc)
Moderator:
Ms. Nikica Mojsoska Blazevski, Executive Director of Macedonia2025
Written summary by:
16:45 – 17:00
16:45 – 17:00