<OVERVIEW>
Welcome to the Empower. Integrate. Grow. High-Level Conference on Regional Economic Integration, a flagship event that celebrates the remarkable progress in regional cooperation and looks ahead to the next milestones on the path toward deeper integration with the EU Single Market
Hosted by the GIZ Open Regional Fund for Southeast Europe – Foreign Trade, commissioned by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), in partnership with the Ministry of European Affairs, Government of Montenegro, this conference serves as a premier platform for dialogue and collaboration.
Why Attend?
Reflect on Progress
Discover key achievements in regional trade facilitation and economic integration.
Celebrate Success Stories
Hear inspiring stories of collaboration and growth that are shaping the region’s future.
Explore the Future
Gain insights into the next steps for strengthening regional partnerships and enhancing integration with the EU Single Market.
Engage with Leaders
Connect with policymakers, business leaders, EU officials, and experts who are driving regional transformation.
<KEY HIGHLIGHT>
An important focus will be an in-depth discussion on the implementation of the New Growth Plan, which outlines the necessary reforms to create a Common Regional Market and integrate the Western Balkans into the EU Single Market, set to take place from 2024 to 2027.
RegioTrade – Advancing Regional Economic Integration in the Western Balkans
Building on the success of the Open Regional Fund for South Eastern Europe – Foreign Trade (ORF FT), RegioTrade marks the next step in advancing regional economic integration. The project focuses on reducing trade barriers, streamlining customs procedures, and facilitating the free movement of goods and services across the region, while also enhancing the investment climate in the region.
This project is designed to tackle the most pressing challenges facing regional economic integration today:
Key Areas of Focus:
• Facilitating Trade Flows: RegioTrade aims to simplify customs procedures, reduce unnecessary controls, and enhance the selectivity of customs checks, focusing resources on high-risk goods while expediting the clearance of others.
• Strengthening Multi-Agency Coordination: The project enhances collaboration between customs and other agencies involved in controlling goods to improve trade efficiency and predictability, ensuring transparent and reliable cross-border operations.
• Fostering Free Movement of Services: Beyond goods, RegioTrade focuses on enhancing services crucial for regional integration, including e-commerce, postal services, and tourism. The project seeks to align regional service standards with EU regulations, ensuring a seamless flow of services across borders.
• Boosting Investment and Legal Certainty: RegioTrade contributes to a more attractive investment climate by reducing the risk of investment disputes and enhancing legal predictability. By preventing disputes from escalating, and bolstering the capacities of the competent institutions, the project fosters a stable environment for investment and economic growth.
Why It Matters?
This is about more than just facilitating trade; fostering a regional economic ecosystem that drives sustainable growth, boosts competitiveness, and creates jobs. By aligning regional trade policies with EU regulations, the project helps businesses in the Western Balkans reduce trade costs, improve market access, and integrate more fully into the EU’s Single Market. This drives long-term economic growth, greater regional cohesion, and stability.
The RegioTrade Impact:
- Simplified Trade: Streamlined customs processes and targeted controls for high-risk goods.
- Enhanced Cooperation: Improved coordination across agencies for better trade efficiency.
- EU Integration: Policies aligned with EU requirements and standards for smoother market access.
- Investment Growth: Reduced legal risks and greater predictability for fostering investment, aligned with EU law and international best practices.
For more information, please visit the attached document.
Contact: tanja.boskovic@giz.de
Join Us in Bečići, Montenegro
This two-day high-level conference will offer an engaging agenda featuring keynote speeches, expert panels, and interactive discussions. Together, we will explore how partnerships and innovation are unlocking opportunities, empowering economies, and fostering integration in the Western Balkans.
Let’s shape the future of regional economic growth—together.
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January 27–28, 2025
Hotel Splendid, Bečići, Montenegro
Empower. Integrate. Grow.