News archive - [Event Review] South East Europe 2020 growth strategy in focus of regional meeting, under RCC auspices
The development of the South East Europe (SEE) 2020 regional growth strategy and its implementation was the main topic of the 12th South East Europe Investment Committee (SEEIC) Meeting, which was held in Sarajevo on March, 19.
The event was co-organized by the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat, as co-chairs of the SEEIC. It was held back-to-back with the CEFTA (Central European Free Trade Agreement) 2006 deputy ministerial meeting. The SEEIC and the CEFTA cooperate closely on SEE 2020 strategy aspects that aim to increase the intra-regional trade and inflow of foreign investments. The 12th SEEIC meeting brought together SEEIC participants, Western Balkans economic teams, representatives of the European Commission, regional partners and initiatives, international organizations, and the donor community.
Finally the SEEIC Work Programme for the Year 2013 was adopted and can be dowloaded hereinafter. Video materials from the event are available atftp://77.74.227.30/. Please use the following log-in details to access the video materials: username: video - password mc2013.
The SEE 2020 targets that the region needs to reach by 2020 include: regional GDP increase from 38% to 46% of EU average; total value of regional trade increase by 130%; and the trade deficit decrease from 14.1 to 11.6% of the regional GDP. The targets were adopted by the SEE ministers of economy in November 2012 to guide the strategy preparation. The SEE 2020 strategy is to be finalized by the end of 2013. The strategy is expected to provide for growth in trade and export rates; higher level of direct foreign investments; higher number of registered new businesses; increased employment with higher salary rates; and for an increase in the number of highly educated workforce. It also aims to improve public administration, strengthen the rule of law, and improve government efficiency.
The SEEIC Work Programme 2013 was brought forward by the Co-Chair of the events, the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Regional Cooperation Council, and aims to translate and enforce political priorities, regional targets and guidelines noted in the SEEIC Ministerial Statement adopted on 9 November 2012 in Tirana. The SEEIC Co-Chairs proposed this Work Programme as a revision to the previously adopted two-year rolling work program 2012-2013. Taking into consideration the need for an annual rotating co-chairmanship of the Committee, the Work Programme will from 2013 onwards be prepared on an annual level, to cover the period of one calendar year
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The SEEIC was established in 2007, based on the decision by participating members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and countries from South East Europe to create a high-level decision-making and coordination body to support the reform and implementation of policies promoting foreign and domestic investments in South East Europe. The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) officially took over the responsibility over SEEIC activities in November 2011. Currently Co-Chaired by Bosnia and Herzegovina and the RCC Secretariat, the SEEIC comprises Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo*, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
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Entry created by Desiree Pecarz on March 20, 2013
Modified on March 19, 2013
