Michael Otter, Chief Executive Officer at ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA, Aussenwirtschaft Austria

 Frido Berger, Partner IQONIC Consulting

Speakers shed light on the developments in CEE from a historic, economic, political and societal perspective.

    • Philipp Ther, Professor of Central European History at the University of Vienna
    • Gunter Deuber, Chief Economist/Head of Research, Managing Director, Raiffeisen Research, Vienna
    • Martin Ehl, Chief Foreign Policy Analyst and Columnist, Hospodářské noviny, Prague
    • Sebastian Schäffer, Director, Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe, Vienna

Moderation: Desislava Dikova, Professor of International Business, WU Vienna

While Vienna has lost the role as a gateway to CEE, it is still an important business hub for CEE. How important is Vienna as a location for CEE headquarters? What are the strengths and weaknesses of Vienna as a business hub for CEE?

    • Birgit Reiter-Braunwieser, Team Lead & Director CEE & Research Location, Austrian Business Agency
    • Christian Frey, Head of International Business, Vienna Business Agency
    • Mihael Belic, CFO South East Europe, Henkel
    • Andrea Gritsch, Managing Partner, Wolf Theiss

Moderation: Arnold Schuh, WU Vienna

The Western Balkan countries are at different stages in the accession process to EU. How do foreign firms operating in the region perceive business and investment climate in the region? Are the Western Balkans an attractive place for nearshoring?

    • Branimir Jovanovic, Economist, The Vienna Institute for International Economic
      Studies (wiiw)
    • Lisa Rilasciati, Senior EU Policy Advisor Austrian Federal Economic Chamber
    • Rainer Schnabl, CEO Raiffeisen Bank BIH
    • Jürgen Schreder, Austrian Commercial Counsellor in Belgrade

Moderation: Gerd Bommer, Regional Director Southeast Europe, ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA

Drinks & Snacks