Dear friends,
On behalf of the Business Advisory Council for Southeast Europe, we would like to invite you to the conference “Leadership Against Crisis: Public-Private Cooperation for Growth”, which is being held on the occasion of the 15-year Anniversary our the network on May 31st-June 1st in Thessaloniki, Greece. Since 1997, the Business Advisory Council for Southeastern Europe brings togethe
r regional and international businessmen from a wide spectrum of economic sectors. The network was set up with the aim to voice the views and concerns of the business community on the transition challenges facing the region at the time, and its progress to Euro-Atlantic integration. Working with governments, the European Commission, the OECD, the OSCE, the World Bank and other organizations, BAC SEE is acknowledged as a partner of the broader mechanism for regional cooperation and development. The 15th Anniversary celebration serves as an opportunity to discuss the Southeast European and Eurasian dimensions of the current European crisis, to elaborate on the role of these two regions in the vision for a Europe of growth and employment, and to explore the ways in which the business community may work with the public sector to provide solid leadership in the Eastern European and Eurasian transition process. Given that the conference will be held in Greece, a special session on the Greek transition process is also planned. We take great pride in the fact that the realization of this event is taking place with the support of the Vienna Economic Forum, and it is supported by the leading Greek and Turkish business institutions:
the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV)
the Federation of Industries of Northern Greece (FING)
the Greek International Business Association (SEVE)
the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce (EBETH)
the Greek -Turkish Chamber of Northern Greece
the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD)
the Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK)
the Turkish Independent Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD)
In addition, since Thessaloniki hosted the very first meeting of our network in 1997, we are very happy that the Mayor of Thessaloniki, Mr. It will be our great honor to welcome to Thessaloniki highly distinguished guests, such as Mr. Muhtar Kent, Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Coca Cola Company, Mr. Yves Leterme, Deputy Secretary General of the OECD and former Prime Minister of Belgium, Dr. Erhard Busek, former Austrian Vice-Chancellor and Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe, Mr. Dimitrios Daskalopoulos, Chairman of the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises. Last, but not least, allow us to thank all our sponsors and partners in this effort, and, of course, all of you who will be joining us on this occasion! Looking forward to welcoming you in Thessaloniki! Samo Ivancic Chairman, BAC SEE
Nikos Efthymiadis BACSEE Chairman a.H,
Chairman Organizing Committee
