CEI Summit Economic Forum (SEF)

On the occasion of the Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the CEI Member States held on the Island of Brijuni (Croatia) on 5-6 June 1998, the Ministers welcomed the proposal of organising a CEI Business Forum (later renamed CEI Summit Economic Forum - SEF) recognising that “the improved flow of information on economic, legal and commercial issues will promote the development of regional trade and investment links”.

First organised in Zagreb in 1998, the SEF is now known as the annual flagship event of the Initiative. It takes place each autumn in the country holding the CEI Presidency in parallel with the Roundtable of the Ministers of Economic Sectors and generally preceding the CEI Summit of Heads of Government. The Forum serves as a platform to support and promote the CEI strategy of fostering regional co-operation, European integration and economic transition in Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe.

The event generally attracts a mix of industry leaders, senior government officials from the 18 CEI member States, regional, national and international organisations (EC, OECD, RCC, FAO), financial institutions (EBRD, EIB, IMF, WB), professionals and consultants, lawyers and hundreds of businessmen.

In the twelve editions organised so far, the SEF has focused on significant themes that encouraged and enlightened the CEI countries in their development endeavours. Issues concerning transition and EU accession, development of a market oriented economy, energy efficiency, transport and infrastructure, support to SMEs and even social and women development – to list only a few - were recurrent themes that responded to a strong demand from various stakeholders.

Most importantly, it allowed bridging the gap between entrepreneurs, citizens, international organisations and public authorities of all levels.

Since 2005, in the framework of the event, ICE (Italian Institute for Foreign Trade) organised the “Desk of Italy”, a tool to promote the internationalisation of Italian companies and to foster exchange of contacts and investments opportunities in the hosting CEI Member State and in South East Europe.

SEF 1998 – 2009 in figures (annual average)

• Registered participants 1200
• Countries represented 45
• IFIs and other international/regional bodies 20
• Speakers and project promoters 100
• Sessions 12
• Bilateral business meetings 50
• Journalists reporting from the event 100
• Sponsors 8
• Media partners 8