Crans Montana Forum announces latest updates on the Central Europe & Eastern new economies strategies with the Gulf States

The forum will be under the high patronage of H.H. Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Kingdom of Bahrain. This high profile economic & investment forum organised by Crans Montana Forum Middle East is the first of its kind to connect GCC with the Central & Eastern European nations and is held in association with the Crans Montana Forum, Federation of GCC Chambers, United Nation for Industrial Development (UNIDO), EUROCHAMBERS, Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) and Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The Forum is held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Spa, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain from April 8 to 10, 2008.

The confirmed participants are Mr. Calin Constantin Anton Popescu-Tariceanu Prime Minister of Romania, Mr. Sergei Stanishev Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Mr. Hashim Thaci Prime Minister of Kosovo, Mr. Lado Gurgenidze Prime Minister of Georgia, Mr. Milo Djukanovic, Prime Minister of Motenegro, Mr. Dusan Caplovic, Deputy prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs, Human Rights and Minorities of Slovak Republic, Mr. Marius Medeleanu, Minister of Economy and Mr. Benard Savage, Ambassador, Delegation of the EU to Riyadh with their ministerial delegations in addition to business delegations from Ukraine, Hungary and Croatia will highlight the Economic and Investment climate within these regions as well as Investment promotions and the enormous opportunities they represent. Simultaneously, their participation will reinforce the bilateral relationship with GCC countries.

The confirmed involvement of H.E. Abdul Rahman Al Attiyah, Secretary General of GCC, H.E. Dr. Essam Fakhro, President of FGCC and H.E. Pierre Simon, President of EUROCHAMBERS in the forum will play a vital role in the wake of Europe-GCC talks of the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) to accelerate the process of its inception as well as the activation of the MoU signed between EUROCHAMBERS and FGCC for economic cooperation.

"At a time when Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the Central Asian States, offer such enormous markets with expanding economies, and some of the highest economic growth rates among the countries in the world, the Forum will be the first serious step towards building increased cooperation and strategic alliances between these two major regions,"

remarked CMF Chairman, Mr. Jean-Paul Carteron.

"The sessions will discuss the latest economic strategies and policies, and the most current and available investment opportunities will be highlighted. Furthermore, the Forum will provide a platform for the exchange of professional expertise, and enhance dialogue on a variety of key topics of mutual interest, including: common market, commercial arbitration, free economy, common currency, economic co-operation, investment promotion, and the prospect of the proposed Free Trade Agreement with the EU, we are also expecting the conformation of VIPs to attend this major event Mrs. Iulia Tymoshchenko, Prime Minister of Ukraine, Mr. Sali Berisha, Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Filipovic, Prime Minister of Bosnia- Herzegovina" Mr. Carteron concluded.

The Forum is expected to draw leading key figures and decision makes such as high profile government officials and top businessmen from countries in the EU, Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the GCC. Discussion topics are targeted to benefit a diverse range of participants including: Ministers of finance, economy, economic development, trade, investment promotion, industry, oil and gas, telecommunications; High Level Officials of International and Regional Organizations, Chambers of Commerce, Investment Promotion Agencies, Investment Authorities and Sovereign Wealth Funds; and Chairmen, CEO's and Directors of major Companies.

The key sectors which will be on focus during the forum are: Energy, Renewable Energy, Natural Resources, Transport, Infrastructure, Mining, Oil and Gas, Housing, Telecommunication, IT, Tourism, Public Health, Trading, Financial Services and Banking, Manufacturing, etc. These will be discussed through: Plenary sessions, Specialised and National sessions, Round tables, and National and Corporate presentations. The forum will also provide a platform for countries and businesses alike to showcase and promote investment and business development opportunities in various economic sectors.