Agenda

DAY 1

9.30-10.00 Theodoros Karaoglou, Opening speech by Deputy Minister of Interior Sector Macedonia and Thrace
10.00-12.30 1st Session: Policies for growth and support for entrepreneurship and innovation structures / programmes in the Balkans

Moderator: Nicole Kazantzidou, journalist

Speakers:
Panagiotis Theodorikakos, Minister of Interior
Margaritis Schinas, Vice President of European Commission
Adonis Georgiadis, Minister of Development and Investments
Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Minister of Digital Governance

Welcome speeches/presentations by governmental representatives from Balkans
Liviu Rogojinaru, State Secretary of Economy, Energy and the Business Environment, Romania
Goran Milevski, Minister of Local Self-Government, Republic of North Macedonia

12.30-13.00 Interval / Coffee break
13.00-15.30 2nd Session: Business and technology networking and synergies in the Balkans

2.1. The EU role in supporting Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Moderator: Ignatiadis Spyros, General Director of Greek Exporters Association (SEVE)

Speakers (8΄):
Georgios Kavvathas, President of Hellenic Confederation of Professionals Craftsmen & Merchants (GSΕVEE), Greece
Aleksandar Stevanovic, President of the SASME Economic Council, Serbia
Lakassas Dimitrios, Ex President of Greek Exporters Association (SEVE), Greece
PhD Mladen Perazic, Director of the Department for Education and Quality, Montenegro
Florin Jianu, President of National Council of Small and Medium Sized Private Enterprises (CNIPMMR), Romania

2.2. Business Ecosystems Institutions and Infrastructures

Moderator: Nikos Katsiadakis, Electrical Engineer, MSc in Management of Production Systems, CERTH Extroversion Unit

Speakers (8΄):
Vladimir Velichkovski, Head of Department for support of business sector, Center for development of Pelagonija Planning Region, Republic of North Macedonia
Aristotelis Spiliotis, Bank’s Secretary General, Black Sea Trade & Development Bank, Greece
Dr.-Ing. Matthias Kuenzel, Programme Director, Dept.Future Mobility and Europe, VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH, Germany
Jelena Stojovic, NALED, Serbia

15.30-16.00 Interval / Coffee break
16.00-18.30 3rd Session: European Territorial Cooperation Programmes (Interreg) design in the Balkans and S.E. Europe in the Programming Period 2021-2027 & Capitalization of good practices.

Moderator: Ivana Lazic, Interact programme

Speakers (8΄):
Georgios Zervos, Special Secretary for European Regional Development Fund, Ministry of Development & Investments, Greece
Dr. Ioannis Bakouros, University of Western Macedonia, Regional Development and Cross Border Studies, Greece
Zulieta Gjurkova, Head, Centre for development of the South-East planning region, Republic of North Macedonia
George Emmanuel, General Director, Ministry of Interior Sector Macedonia and Thrace, Greece
Sanda Simic, Head of Division, Ministry of European Integration, Government of the Republic of Serbia
Lodovico Gherardi, Coordinator of the Managing Authority Unit, Italy

DAY 2

9.00 Arrival of participants (Coffee)
9.30-12.30 4th Session: Adopting successful innovative practices and scientific collaborations in the Balkans’ business culture in view of the EU Programming Period 2021-2027

4.1. Regional research and innovation policies and programmes.

Moderator: Fokion Tzourdas, Chief Commercial Officer of Thessaloniki Innovation & Technology Center, Thess INTEC

Speakers (8΄):
Georgia Valatsou, Permanent Secretary General, Ministry of Interior, Greece
Adrijana Bogdanovska Gj. PhD, MBA, Director, Center for Knowledge Management, Republic of North Macedonia
Eleni Kallinikou, Head of the Bureau of the Permanent Secretary General, Ministry of Interior, Greece
Dr. Antonios Karvounis, EGTCs National Contact Point, Ministry of Interior, Greece
Styliani Kostopoulou, Professor, School of Economics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
PhD. Mirela Koci PhD, Executive Director of AULEDA- Local Economic Development Agency Albania

4.2. Boosting innovative technology infrastructure in the Balkan region: Current situation and future possibilities

Moderator: Kyriakos Loufakis, President of Alexander Innovation Zone S.A

Speakers (8΄):
Prof. Dr. Radmil M. Polenakovikj, Director of Business Start-up Centre Faculty of Mechanical Engineering University “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” & President of National Center for Development of Innovation and Entrepreneurial Learning, Republic of North Macedonia
Dr. Paris Kokorotsikos, IASP Expert
Todor Mladenov, Executive Director “Sofia Tech Park” Jsc Sofia, Bulgaria
Dr. Georgia Aifadopoulou, Board Member of Technology Center Thess INTEC, Greece

12.30-13.00 Interval / Coffee Break
13.00-15.30 5th Session: Green Entrepreneurship, Circular Economy and Climate Change through innovative actions and funding tools in view of the EU Programming Period 2021-2027

5.1. Transition towards sustainable energy and environmental future practices

ModeratorProf. Nicolas Moussiopoulos, Director of Energy Department, School of Mechanical Engineering – Aristotle University Thessaloniki

Speakers (8΄):
George Kremlis, Honorary Director, European Commission & Principal Adviser to the Prime Minister for energy, climate, environment & circular Economy
Prof. Agis M. Papadopoulos, Chairman of the Board EYATH S.A.
Dr. Marija Kacarska, Professor, Ss Cyril and Methodius” University. Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies, Republic of North Macedonia
Teodora Polimerova, Director of directorate “Climate, energy and quality”, Sofia Municipality, Bulgaria

5.2. Supporting green growth, entrepreneurship and circular economy through cooperation in the Balkans

Moderator: Prof. Maro Vlachopoulou, Professor of Digital Marketing & e- Business, University of Macedonia

Speakers (8΄):
Emmanuil Vlachogiannis, First Vice President, Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Greece
Jovan Despotovski, Director of FITD, Republic of North Macedonia
Armida Hemeling, Chair South Eastern Europe at German RETech Partnership e.V. and CEO of Goduni International, Germany
Petar Petrov PhD, University of Forestry, Bulgaria

15.30-16.00 Theodoros Karaoglou, Forum closure and conclusions by Deputy Minister of Interior Sector Macedonia and Thrace