{"id":11643,"date":"2024-05-23T12:26:03","date_gmt":"2024-05-23T10:26:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/event.businessfrance.fr\/forum-balkans-occidentaux\/?page_id=11643"},"modified":"2026-10-22T18:13:28","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T16:13:28","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/event.businessfrance.fr\/forum-balkans-occidentaux\/en\/home\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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France-WESTERN BALKANS business forum <\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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With nearly 18 million inhabitants<\/strong> and a strategic location at the heart of South-Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans represent a rapidly transforming market offering significant opportunities for French companies. The region benefits from sustained economic growth, a skilled and competitive workforce, and strong potential for integration into European value chains. Priority sectors include infrastructure and transport, energy and renewable energies, industry, agri-food, digital technologies, healthcare and services<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through the European Union\u2019s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans<\/strong>, endowed with \u20ac6 billion (2024-2027)<\/strong> \u2013 including \u20ac2 billion in grants and \u20ac4 billion in loans<\/strong> \u2013 the region is receiving major support to accelerate reforms, strengthen connectivity with the European Single Market and finance strategic projects. For French companies, these developments create concrete opportunities for partnerships, investment and access to new markets<\/strong> in a region that is set to play an increasingly important role in the European economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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where:<\/strong> The French SENATE, 15 TER, rue de Vaugirard, 75006 ParIS<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
when:<\/strong> from 8.15am to 6.00pm<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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PROGRAM<\/mark><\/strong><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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SECTORAL AND CROSS-SECTORAL ROUND TABLES<\/mark><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8:15am \u2013<\/strong> Registration & Welcome Coffee<\/strong>

Moderated by Arnaud FLEURY<\/strong>, economic journalist<\/em><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
8:45am <\/strong>\u2013 Opening speeches<\/strong><\/strong> <\/em><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n

G\u00e9rard LARCHER<\/strong>, President of the Senate, French Republic (TBC)
Marta DE CIDRAC<\/strong>, Chair of the France-Western Balkans Interparliamentary Friendship Group, French Republic
\u00c9l\u00e9onore CAROIT<\/strong>, Minister Delegate for Francophonie, International Partnerships and French Nationals Abroad (TBC)
Louis MARGUERITTE<\/strong>, CEO, BUSINESS FRANCE
Sophie SIDOS<\/strong>, President of the French Foreign Trade Advisors (TBC)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9:00am <\/strong>\u2013 Toward European Integration: Support for Businesses and the Development of Economic Opportunities<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Objective: Analyze current economic trends, the status of EU accession, opportunities for French companies, and identify promising sectors<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hoa-Binh ADJEMIAN<\/strong>, Head of Unit, Private Sector Engagement (ENEST.A.3) \u2013 European Commission<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9:30am <\/strong>\u2013 Keynote Address \u2013 Macroeconomic Outlook and Business Climate in the Western Balkans<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Objective: To present economic trends, the business environment, and market opportunities in the Western Balkans<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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09:40am <\/strong>\u2013 Transport Infrastructure and Regional Connectivity<\/strong><\/strong> <\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Objective: highlight major transport and logistics projects transforming the region<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yael SIMONI<\/strong>, Directeur de projet m\u00e9tro Belgrade, ALSTOM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10:20am \u2013 Keynote \u2013 Building the Healthcare Infrastructure of Tomorrow: The Example of the Podgorica University Hospital<\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Objective: To highlight, through the project for the future Podgorica University Hospital, the opportunities for French companies in the context of the modernization of Montenegro\u2019s healthcare infrastructure<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

10:40am \u2013 Digital Transformation and Innovation<\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Objective: explore how the digital transition is reshaping public and private sectors across the Balkans<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nicolas RABRENOVIC<\/strong>, President, LA FRENCH TECH BELGRADE
Marko CADEZ<\/strong>, President, SERBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11:20am <\/strong>\u2013 Environment, Energy, and the Green Transition<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> <\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Objective: address climate and energy challenges and the opportunities for green investment<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Louis LATOURNERIE<\/strong>, Managing Director, QAIR MONTENEGRO
Dejan MILIC<\/strong>, Managing Director, SIMES INZENJERING<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12:00pm <\/strong>\u2013 European and International Financing Opportunities<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Objective: provide clarity on available funding mechanisms for public and private initiatives<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Armel CASTETS<\/strong>, Deputy Director, International Corporate Finance (FININTER), FRENCH TREASURY
Arnaud DAUPHIN<\/strong>, Director \u2013 Western Balkans Regional Office, FRENCH DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Kristina KANAPINSKAITE<\/strong>, Head of the Western Balkans and Turkey Division, EIB
Jelena CEPERKOVIC<\/strong>, Deputy Director, EBRD Serbia<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12:40pm <\/strong>\u2013 Taking Action in the Western Balkans: What Support Is Available for French Companies?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Objective: Identify the key takeaways from the forum and present the support options available to help expand business operations in the Western Balkans<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

12:50pm \u2013 Official Closing Session<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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1.00pm\/2.00pm – NETWORKING COCKTAIL<\/mark><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2.00pm\/6.00pm – B2B MEETINGS WITH EXPERTS<\/mark><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n

B2B meetings with Western Balkans market experts<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> (within the limit of available seats)<\/em><\/mark><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

* This program is provided for information only and is subject to change<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Free registration<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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MODERATED BY<\/mark><\/strong><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Arnaud FLEURY<\/span>Economic Journalist<\/span>\n