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MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2017 FOCUS KATHIMERINI l 3 Creating a new generation of entrepreneurship in the region

BY NIKI KITSANTONIS government policies, as an active Geopolitical challenges always play Kathimerini English Edition founding member of EU and NATO. a role. Forum participants will defi- Secondly, aims to recover its nitely discuss the challenges and lim- Next month, on May 25 and 26, the city economy. Working with the IMF and itations. The key difference is that par- of in northern Greece, is to shift Eurogroup is just a part of this huge ticipants will be triggered on how to up a gear for the inaugural Balkans & effort. Greece should also seek new op- seek business opportunities. The Fo- Cooperation Forum, bring- portunities to improve its competitive- rum contributes to a better dialogue ing together more than 500 partici- ness. The Netherlands has an open and because of its think-tank approach. It pants from 17 countries of the Balkans strong economy; it took us lots of years will focus on regional economic coop- and Black Sea area, the first step to- to reach that stage and it takes even eration and is not political in nature. wards fulfilling the untapped potential more effort to maintain. Such process- So far, all partners and participants for business and trade in the region. es of continuous reforming need inno- have shown themselves to be very “It aims to be the Davos of this re- vation and creativity from the inside. committed to making this Forum a suc- gion,” said Siwarde Sap, member of Our Embassy’s initiative to establish cess. I have good vibes that the Forum the steering committee of the Forum, the start-up incubator “Orange Grove” will strengthen regional cooperation. referring to the annual economic fo- in Greece is an example of how we sup- Although the “headline” topic of the rum in Switzerland. A joint concept of port the creation of a new generation Forum is “Cultural Tourism,” the event Mrs. Sap, senior adviser on economic of entrepreneurs. covers a series of issues ranging from affairs to the Embassy of the Nether- Do you think Greece has economic energy routes to women in leadership. lands in Greece, and Giannis Balakakis, growth potential? Where is the focus? chair of the Forum’s organizing com- I believe Greece is a country with When we first started the forum, the mittee and president of the Geo Siwarde Sap (left, with Giannis Balakakis at right) is on the Steering Committee of the Balkans and Black Sea Cooperation Forum. huge potential. Each sector has dia- idea was very much anchored on cul- Routes Cultural Institute, the Forum monds of companies and people, ex- tural exchange. We broadened the aims to boost cross-border cooperation that rich, poor, whatever religion or gether early 2016, he with his ideas, I every year. This is not a forum belong- cellent minds, good strategic thinkers scope to include a much wider range and sustainable development in the political views, the public, private and with my ideas, the concept was born. ing to Greece. In our vision it belongs and good in tactics, but collectively of topics when BSEC, the Black See Eco- broader region, encouraging countries research sectors have always worked From there on we developed it under to the region. The Forum is not about people have not connected enough nomic Cooperation organization, be- to trade best practice techniques. together to fight the sea – you need a the auspices of Official Partner BSEC. the economy of the host country, it is (yet) to come out stronger, especially came involved as a partner. So topics In an interview, Mrs Sap said the ini- dyke to keep the water out, you need Why was Greece chosen as the host about getting united through regional in tourism, agribusiness, energy, lo- such as energy, digital economy, tiative is a new approach focusing on to join forces. This way of working, this country for this inaugural interna- diversity – I strongly believe that di- gistics and transport. Let’s take an ex- women in leadership, agriculture, mar- different business sectors and coun- concept, is what I would like for other tional Forum? And why Serres specif- versity can lead to creativity and to ample. Although Greece has such pro- itime affairs, transport and infrastruc- tries, working together. countries to adopt – that there is a di- ically? seek new ways of working together, ductive soil, is not able yet to produce ture are now part of the Forum agenda. The Forum, on the cross-section of alogue followed by tangible results. The Greek economy plays as much doing business. enough tomatoes for the domestic All of these topics have significant im- public and business sectors, offers “ex- How did the idea for the Forum arise of a role as the economies of the other At the end of April, a call for Expres- market. That’s why we see e.g. Dutch portance in the region, with great de- plore and experience” networking op- and what are its key practical goals? participating countries, unlike other sions of Interest for becoming the 2018 imported tomatoes in summer. There velopment potential. portunities through a Business Hub, Giannis Balakakis, chair of the fo- economic summits which are about Host Country and City, will be released are some quite successful examples of As a result, we have attracted vari- cultural exhibitions and a Social Ex- rum’s Organizing Committee, ap- just Greece. As for the choice of Serres, to all Balkans and Black Sea countries. high-tech greenhouses in Northern ous international speakers from cursion Program, and aims to create a proached the Black Sea Economic Co- that was Giannis’s idea. He had been Upon further assessment and after lo- Greece and with the right policy shap- abroad, including the Netherlands: Dr. new generation of entrepreneurship operation Organization (BSEC), ex- to Serres to design Geo Routes cultural cation surveys, the Forum’s Scientific ing at the government level and effi- Frans-Paul van der Putten, senior re- in the region. changing views about launching a re- heritage routes. Mr. Moisiadis, the vice and Steering committees will decide cient cooperation between public, pri- search fellow at the Clingendael Insti- gional forum for the Black Sea coun- regional governor of Serres, took up where the next forum event will take vate and research sectors, Greece could tute, who is half Dutch-half Chinese, How does the Balkans & Black Sea Co- tries on Cultural and Sustainable the challenge of becoming a co-orga- place. cover the domestic demand of toma- is renowned for his research on China’s operation Forum differ from other Tourism. After the BSEC’s suggestion nizer at this May forum. The Forum is “Be the change you wish for this re- toes. It could perhaps even start ex- approach to global trade. He will con- events in the region? to focus on all means of cooperation, supported by about 100 volunteers, all gion” is the slogan, so the forum has porting and improving its trade bal- tribute to the panel on the ‘One Belt, The structure has more of a think- the Forum went live. The Forum comes citizens of Serres. The Forum also to travel. ance. One Road’ strategy and its effect on tank approach than other conferences. a month before BSEC’s 25th anniver- brings people closer through the “ex- Authorities in Greece always under- We always think we have to go far the container trade in the Black Sea. It is not just people making presenta- sary and aligns with a United Nations perience and explore” concept of its line its prospects as a regional hub for away for better welfare but with the Wim Mijs, CEO of the European Bank- tions of their organizations. We expect resolution designating 2017 as Inter- social excursion programs [Amphipo- energy and stability. Can Greece de- digital economy, there is so much po- ing Federation, will moderate the pan- speakers to contribute by considering national Year of Sustainable Tourism lis, Lake Kerkini, Prodromos velop a key role in the region and why tential for cooperation. el on ‘Digital Economy & Innovation.’ why regional economic cooperation is for Development, which is our forum Monastery, Nigrita Mountain is a Dutch diplomat supporting this If we realize how diverse we are but He also asked to join the ‘Women in difficult and what they can do to help “headline” next month. trekking]. On the map, Serres is now Forum? how much we have in common whilst Leadership’ panel. to overcome. Therefore, panels will I traveled in the Balkans and Black a new international conference and Firstly, Greece, from government to exploring, so much creativity can be Learning from others, exchanging equally represent speakers from the Sea countries and, with my interest in tourist destination in the region – a re- opposition, wants to contribute to be- born and make the region stronger. bottlenecks and good practices, inspir- public, business and research sectors. economic diplomacy, I had many ideas markable achievement. coming a regional energy hub and to Stability, Growth and Cooperation. ing and opening eyes. The Forum is It should be a discussion pushing for how this region could re-identify How will subsequent host cities be cho- strengthen stability in the wider re- That’s the slogan of the Forum. about connecting people who are striv- things forward. itself. I would like to see how the coun- sen and how often will the Forum be gion. Greece sees itself as a net ex- Are you concerned about destabilizing ing for creating a new generation of Balkan and Black Sea countries tries in this region can create a new held? Do we know already where the porter of security and stability. This is factors in the region – Turkish aggres- entrepreneurship in the region. could gain valuable experience from footprint by doing more business to- follow-up Forum will be held? in line with the Forum aiming at sta- sion, the Cyprus problem? How do the Netherlands, much of which is be- gether. We aim for the Forum event to be bility, growth and cooperation in the you see those issues obstructing re- www.balkansblackseaforum.org low sea level. It’s in the Dutch DNA When Giannis and I sat down to- rotating, in a different country and city region and in line with the Netherlands gional cooperation? Twitter @BBSF

25 - 26 May 2017 Serres - Greece

www.balkansblackseaforum.orgwwww.balkansblackse A WORLD OF HISTORY A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES eaforum.orgaforum.org

BALKANS & BLACK SEA CCOOPERATIONNOITAREPOO FORUMMUROF

Stability I Growth I Cooperation

THE SCOPE At the cross section of public & business sectorssectors,, Forum stands as think-tank to outline current situation, quote political indicatorsindicators,, navigate to growth and cooperation and monitor perspectives and SDGs towards 2030 whilst Official Partner is the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) and Strategic Partners the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR), the Black Sea TradeTrade and Development Bank (BSTDB) and European Banking Federation (EBF)

TOPICS  EU Balkans & Black Sea Perspectives and SDGs towards 2030 17  Roads of Energy “Electricity & Gas Interconnectivity” Participant Countries  Digital Economy & Innovation 02 Honorary States  WomenWomen in leadership 07 Multi-level Sessions  AgricultureAgriculture,, Environment & Use of Sources 42  Maritime,, TMaritime Transportation,ransportation, InfrastructuresInfrastructures,, Hubs International Panelists  Cultural & Sustainable TTourismourism 500 Delegates

ORGANIZERS OFFICIAL PAPARTNERPARTNER MEDIADIA & COMMUNICACOMMUNICATIONATTION