Discussion on Investment Prospective of Western Balkans Held in Sofia

On 16^th of May, a day before the political elite of Europe gathers in Sofia for the EU-Western Balkans Summit, a forum dedicated to the investment potential of the Western Balkans is held at the National Palace of Culture. Co-organizers are the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU and the Bulgarian Forum for Business Leaders.

There are two objectives - to open up opportunities for regional cooperation and to find the appropriate investment markets.

The Western Balkans represent an investment environment with 25 million people and about 130 billion Euro.

This is probably the biggest business event orientated to the Western Balkans during the European Presidency, so we want through this discussion to make a bridge between businesses in the region. We want to show Bulgarian companies and all international companies to look into this region and invest, Iravan Hira, from the Bulgarian Forum for Business Leaders, said.

Emil Karanikolov, Minister of the Economy said that it was important for investors not only to have access to these markets, but also in the conditions of changes that these economies could undergo, to ensure predictability of funds and treatment which is the same as the treatment towards local companies. The rule of law and investor protection, as well as the possibilities for investor-state dispute resolution, are an important prerequisite for choosing an investment destination, he added.