A NEW INVESTMENT FRONTIER – THE WESTERN BALKANS

Connecting Regions, Creating Opportunities.

13–14 OCTOBER 2025 TIRANA, ALBANIA

About the Forum

The EU-Western Balkans Investment Forum seeks to strengthen economic cooperation and investment opportunities between the Western Balkan partners (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia) and European Union (EU) member states. Supported by the European Commission, this summit is part of the broader EU strategy to promote regional integration and socio-economic convergence, fostering sustainable economic development across the region.

Forum Agenda

EU-Western Balkans Investment Forum
Palace of Congresses, Tirana, Albania
13-14 October 2025

DAY 1, Monday 13 October 2025
High-Level Sessions

Time
Event
11:00–12:00
Arrival and Networking coffee
12:00–12:55
Opening Ceremony
Master of Ceremonies: Ali Aslan, International Moderator and Journalist
- Welcome Speech by Prime Minister Edi Rama
- Keynote Speech by President Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission
12:55–13:10
Signing Ceremony in the presence of Prime Minister Edi Rama and President Ursula von der Leyen (List of announcements)
Master of Ceremonies: Ali Aslan, International Moderator and Journalist
List of letters/statements of intent to be signed:
1. 4iG - Regional Digital Backbone connecting with the EU – EAGLE project
2. 3CIS - AI Data Centre development in Kosovo
3. Swiss Rockets Serbia - R&D investment to support health innovation and biotech in Serbia
4. GreenAgro - Biotech Platform for Agri-Food in North Macedonia
5. CWP Europe - Wind Farm in Albania and Solar Farm/Battery Energy System Storage in Montenegro
6. ElevenEs - LFP Battery mega factory in Serbia
7. Titan cement group - Waste-to-Fuel and Waste-to-Heat Recovery Projects in Albania
8. EFSD+ Guarantee with Kfw on Scaling Alternative Finance for Entrepreneurs (SAFE) Guarantee
9. EFSD+ Guarantee with EBRD Risk Sharing for ESG Projects
13:10–14:15
Networking lunch
14:15–15:45
Keynote Panel – Investment opportunities in the Western Balkans 6 in the new geopolitical context
· Delina Ibrahimaj, Albanian Minister of Economy
· Valentina Superti, Director, Western Balkans, DG ENEST, European Commission
· Mario Holzner, Executive director, Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw)
· Kelly Clutterbuck, Voltalia, Albania Country Manager
· Dimitar Enchev, CWP Europe CEO
· Charlotte Ruhe, Managing Director for Central and South-Eastern Europe, EBRD
· Lionel Rapaille, Director of operations in the Enlargement and Neighbourhood Region EIB
Moderator: Gunter Deuber, Head of the research department of Raiffeisen Bank International

Discussion to focus on business constraints, opportunities and investment needs. The panel should include EU and WB6 public authority representatives, private sector representatives, public or commercial banks/investors.

15:45–15:55
Green Growth Fund signature

List signatories:

- Lulzim Sadrija, CEO Kreditimi Rural i Kosovës
- Mimoza Godanci Aliu, CEO Banka për Biznes
- Miloš Belić, CFO, Unicredit Bank Serbia
- Vladimir Tofoski, CFO, AikBank ad Beograd Serbia
- Srđan Ožegović, Member of the Management Board, ProCredit Bank d.d. Sarajevo
- Kalina Pelovska, CIO REnalfa IPP, Oslomej BESS
- Sinan Kurtoglu, Managing Director, Quant Renewables Limited, Tucep-Veriq
- Hysen Ruka, Owner and CEO of Bindi shpk, HD Solar Park

with Finance in Motion:

- Borislav Kostadinov, Fund Director
- Mejra Juzbasic Bajgoric, Regional director for Western Balkans
- Matti Piiparinen, Senior Manager Project Finance

Witnessed by:

- Delina Ibrahimaj, Albanian Minister of Economy
- Valentina Superti, Director, Western Balkans, DG ENEST, European Commission
- Lionel Rapaille, Director of operations in the Enlargement and Neighbourhood Region EIB
- Markus Aschendorf, Head of Division at KfW

Other WB6 ministers in the audience will be invited to join the stage.

15:55–16:15
Networking coffee break
16:15–17:45
Keynote Panel – Investments in the Western Balkans6 as a New Source of Competitiveness and Growth Potential
· Outi Slotboom, Director Supply Chains and Business Analysis, DG GROW, European Commission
· Artan Dulaku, CEO of Concord Investments Albania
· Daniel Schroeder, Vice President Siemens Mobility
· Ronan Byrne, CEO of HEANET and member of the GÉANT Board
· Nemanja Mikac, CEO ElevenES
· Vladimir Cmiljanovic, CEO of Swiss Rocket
Moderator: Senida Mesi, Development economist

Discussion to focus on how to integrate into EU value chains and the opportunities for businesses to nearshore from the EU.

17:45–18:00
Conclusion and Final Remarks
Olta Manjani, Deputy Minister of Economy

DAY 2 – Tuesday 14 October 2025
Business Deep-Dive Sessions

Time
Event
08:45–09:15
Arrival and welcome coffee
09:15–09:30
Wrap up of the first day of the conference and introduction of the second day
Olta Manjani, Deputy Minister of Economy
Hoa-Binh Adjemian, Head of Unit, Private sector Engagement, DG ENEST, European Commission.
09:30–10:30
Manufacturing and Critical Raw Materials

Each company will present its investment project. During each sector-specific panel discussion, one IFI and one Investment Agency will provide remarks:

Tentative panel schedule:

5' Opening remarks: Outi Slotboom, Director Supply Chains and Business Analysis, DG GROW, European Commission

25' – Companies pitches

1. ElevenEs, Djordje Eremić, Senior Venture and Financing Partner
2. Front LCC Kosovo, Jeton Veseli, founder and CEO
3. Avesta, Aleksandar Golaboski, Managing Director of AVESTA North Macedonia
4. GreenHouse, Visar Rexhepaj, Chief Executive Officer

5' – IFI intervention Sebastien Skupien, Senior Banker, Manufacturing and Services, EBRD

5' – Investment Agency intervention - Vladimir Tomić, Development Agency of Serbia

25' – Q&A

Moderator: Christophe Galand, Head of Unit, Regional Strategy and Investments, DG ENEST, European Commission.
Liaison Officer: Sara Zotaj, AIDA
10:30–11:00
Coffee break
11:00–12:00
Energy

Each company will present its investment project. During each sector-specific panel discussion, one IFI and one Investment Agency will provide remarks:

Tentative panel schedule:

25' – Companies pitches

1. CWP Europe, Viktor Garbev, Executive VP
2. X-wind, Astrit Abrashi, CMO
3. Statkraft, Rigela Gegprifti, Country Head Albania
4. Enhol, Jorge Oses Rodriguez, Business Development Director

5' – IFI intervention Borana Puto, Associate Banker, Energy Europe, Sustainable Infrastructure Group

5' – Investment Agency intervention – Slavica Korica, Foreign Investment Promotion Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina

25' – Q&A

Moderator: Barbara Banki, Head of Unit, IFIs and Investments, DG ENEST, European Commission.
Liaison Officer: Enela Topulli, AIDA
12:00–12:45
Hackathon
Senida Mesi, Development Economist
Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania (TBC)
12:45–14:00
Networking lunch
14:00–15:00
Digital

Each company will present its investment project. During each sector-specific panel discussion, one IFI and one Investment Agency will provide remarks:

Tentative panel schedule:

5' Opening remarks: Elira Kokona, CEO, Albanian Investment Corporation (AIC)

25' – approx. Companies pitches

1. 4iG Telecommunication Holding Gabor Novak – Head of International Wholesale
2. 3 CIS, Drilon Bardhaj, CTO
3. Kolo Venture, Ana Marija Popovic, General Partner
4. Plug and Play, Uranik Begu, Director for CEE
5. NEOTEL, Alberto Belazelkoski, COO

5' – IFI intervention, Alessandro De Concini, Head of Albania, EIB

5' – Investment Agency intervention – Zef Dedaj, Kosovo Investment and Enterprise Support Agency (KIESA)

25' – Q&A

Moderator: Hoa-Binh Adjemian, Head of Unit, Private sector Engagement, DG ENEST, European Commission.
Liaison Officer: Kersti Alku, AIDA
15:00–15:15
Coffee Break
15:15–16:15
Bioeconomy

Each company will present its investment project. During each sector-specific panel discussion, one IFI and one Investment Agency will provide remarks:

Tentative panel schedule:

25' – approx. Companies pitches

1. Swiss Rockets, Dr. Vladimir Cmiljanovic, CEO of Swiss Rocket
2. Trepharm, Mergim Prishtina, Founder/CEO
3. Greenagro dooel, Tanja Kotevska, Executive Manager
4. Viride Gmbh, Stefan Schmid, Co-Founder & CEO
5. Aquatiq, Endlers Kertusha, CEO

5' – IFI intervention: Andriy Zaripov, Project Lead, Europe Climate and Sustainable Finance, IFC

5' – Investment Agency intervention, Invest North Macedonia

25' – Q&A

Moderator: Hoa-Binh Adjemian, Head of Unit, Private sector Engagement, DG ENEST, European Commission.
Liaison Officer: Ornela Gjini, AIDA
16:15–17:15
Hospitality and Circular Economy

Each company will present its investment project. During each sector-specific panel discussion, one IFI and one Investment Agency will provide remarks:

Tentative panel schedule:

25' – approx. Companies pitches

1. Titan Group/ Antea Cement, Dimitrios Dimou, General Manager of Antea Cement Sh.A (Titan Group)
2. Alma Ras, Rasim Memagic, General Manager
3. Suez, Julie Benoist - Europe & Central Asia Business Development Director
4. Balfin Group, Edlira Muka, Chief Executive Officer

5' – IFI intervention: Kristina Kanapinskaite, Head of Western Balkans and Türkiye, EIB

5' – Investment Agency intervention – Laura Plaku, Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA)

25' – Q&A

Moderator: Elona Koçi, Board Member for Corporate Banking, Raiffeisen Bank Albania
Liaison Officer: Geraldina Fejzaj, AIDA
17:15–17:30
Conclusion and Final Remarks
Sokol Duma, Deputy Minister of Economy
Hoa-Binh Adjemian, Head of Unit, Private sector Engagement, DG ENEST, European Commission

Key Program Sectors

DIGITAL SECTOR

ENERGY SECTOR

BIOECONOMY SECTOR

MANUFACTURING AND CRITICAL RAW MATERIALS SECTOR

HOSPITALITY AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Featured Speakers

WORK IN PROGRESS

Media

We welcome members of the media to register for official accreditation in order to gain access to our upcoming events. Accreditation is strictly reserved for professional journalists, photographers, and media personnel who represent media organizations.

About the Venue

13–14 OCTOBER 2025

TIRANA, ALBANIA

Palace Of Congresses, TIRANA, ALBANIA