Necessity and Objectives of the Forum

Promoting the necessary actions for the introduction and successful use of business innovation is a key prerequisite for the economic development and promotion of healthy entrepreneurship both in Greece and in the rest of the Balkans.

With this in mind, in the context of strengthening Transnational Cooperation, the Ministry of Interior (Sector Macedonia – Thrace), in co-operation with the Managing Authority of European Territorial Cooperation Programmes (Interreg), took the initiative of organizing the 2nd Balkan Forum with key objectives:

• Evaluating the existing business and technology inventory as well as identifying specific needs and shortcomings.
• Bridging the gap between research and market.
• Exploring the possibilities of developing business and technological networking and synergies in order to make the best use of the existing potential at the Balkan level.
• Incorporating innovative proposals, either technological (process innovation, product or service innovation) or non-technological (eg management innovation, sales innovation) through the presentation of good practices.
• The transition and consolidation of a greener economy, since environmental protection is an essential condition for sustainable development.
• The promotion of sustainable development programmes, partnerships and networks in the Balkans during the programmatic period 2021 – 2027 of the EU funds.

Participants

The Forum consists of representatives of agencies from the Balkan countries (Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Albania, Republic of North Macedonia), such as Chambers, Business Representatives, Bilateral Chambers, Research Agencies, Technological Providers, Investment Companies, Port Authorities, Railway Agencies, Airport Operators, Logistics and Transport Providers, Energy Providers, Organizations for the construction and management of Highways–Energy Pipelines, Banks, Public Authorities and Ministries.