CRANS MONTANA FORUM: ENERGY CHALLENGES OF SOUTH EAST EUROPE

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 10,2008) - The Bosnian Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Mladen Zirojevic stated yesterday at the Crans Montana Forum (CMF) in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo that two key goals - reform and integration offer best possibilities for development of sustainable, reliable and efficient energy sector which could support economic growth in the southeastern Europe (SEE).

“However, the setup of stable energy systems in the countries of the region faces many challenges such as setup of adequate policies, reform of energy market and regulation, achievement of energy security, energy efficiency, climate change and environment protection”, stated Zirojevic who chaired the second day of CMF on topic “SEE - Energy Challenges”.

According to Zirojevic, there are huge differences between countries in the region regarding available energy resources, total domestic production, degree of dependency on import and size of energy indicators.

''In this context, countries in the region can and shall gain from this regional approach on energy security and higher integration of the market”, stated Zirojevic.

Zirojevic also mentioned projects which are partly connected with the region - Nabuko, South stream, Adriatic Ionian Initiative, Pan European Pipeline, Inter-connector Italy - Greece, etc.

Personal experience was presented by consultant of the ''British energy'', Jon Coniam, representative of Austrian ''Energy Steiermark AG Group'' Iris Martiniz, and French expertn for energy, Matteo Urbani.
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CRANS MONTANA FORUM STARTS IN SARAJEVO

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 8,2008) - The exceptional session of the Crans Montana Forum (CFM) is taking place from October 7 to 10, 2008 in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo.Bosnia has become a major point of gravitation in the southeastern Europe. Its exemplary political stability allows great prospects for economic development. The foreign investment climate is excellent and many international operators are already active in the country.

The aim of the Crans Montana Forum in Sarajevo is to present key opportunities in terms of joint ventures and foreign direct investment. Major strategic issues will be addressed: Transport Networks, Energy Production & Distribution, Network Integration, Telecommunications and ICT, Tourism, Industrial and Economic Infrastructures, Project Funding (including PPPs). In addition, a “Trade Capacity Building Programme” will be proposed at a regional level.

This is the most important diplomatic-economic event this year for Bosnia and the region. At this most renown, most authoritative and biggest political-economic investment forum, the key political leaders, decision markers, invertors, bankers and entrepreneurs will be given a chance to get an insight into all the potentials of Bosnia. This is a first time that Bosnia is hosting this prestigious event.

The three proposed topics to be discussed at the Forum are: regional corridors (road-railway-energy-gas-corridors etc.); harmonization of political environment in the region in order to enter the demanding EU market; tourism-the joint development opportunity for the region.

"Countries on the road to accession to EU must cooperate closely and promote economic cooperation in order to satisfy EU parameters," stated today at the press conference in Sarajevo founder and chairman of the Crans Montana Forum, Jean Paul Certenon."

The gathering is expected to be attended by presidents of prime ministers of the countries in the region, as well as representatives of the European Commission, of the key financial institutions, investment funds and banks of the EU, of the countries in the region and of countries in the Gulf, of big corporations and of investors interested in investments in Bosnia and the region.

“We are looking forward to this great event, and we consider it one of the most successfull ones held in the course of this year. We are very much encouraged by what we have seen in Sarajevo and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in particular by the demonstrated high level of interest for the future development of Bosnia and the region as well, to which testifies over 400 registered participants. We are looking forward to creation of preconditions for the new investment cycle in a very dynamic region" stressed the team leader in charge of Strategy, of the Crans Montana Forum from Switzerland and the Duchess of Monaco, Thibaut Maclet.

The Bosnian government recognized the importance of the gathering and provided financial support for its organizing and also authorized the FIPA to sign the agreement on its organizing and coordinate organizational activities.

The Crans Montana Forum is an International Organization created in 1986 whose importance and prestige are well-established.

CMF works for the promotion of international cooperation and contributes to global growth while ensuring a high level of stability, equity and security. The aim is also to foster the best practices and ensure a global dialogue.

The first Crans Montana Forum was dedicated to the political and economic reconstruction of the post Cold War Europe. Since then, the Forum has continued to contribute and create meeting opportunities for its participants.
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CARTERON: BOSNIA MADE SPECTACULAR PROGRESS

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (September 11,2008) - The founder and chairman of the Crans Montana Forum (CMF) – Jean-Paul Carteron – said in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo yesterday that Bosnia has made spectacular progress in the previous period, especially in the area of foreign direct investments. He believes that FDI are the true barometer of progress by a transitional country.

Carteron held a presentation for foreign ambassadors and international representatives in Bosnia, of goals and expectations of this year’s CMF, which will be taking place in Sarajevo from October 7 and 10.

As he said, the goal of this year’s multi-dimensional meeting will be to get behind one table the most influential representatives of governments and business communities in the world and local politicians and entrepreneurs.

The Crans Montana Forum is an International Organization created in 1986 whose importance and prestige are well-established.

CMF works for the promotion of international cooperation and contributes to global growth while ensuring a high level of stability, equity and security. The aim is also to foster the best practices and ensure a global dialogue.

The first Crans Montana Forum was dedicated to the political and economic reconstruction of the post Cold War Europe. Since this first event, the Forum has continued to contribute and create meeting opportunities for its participants.
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BOSNIA CONTINUES WITH THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE CRANS MONTANA FORUM

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (August 20,2008) - According to the decision of Bosnian government, the Bosnian Foreign Investment and Promotion Agency (FIPA) is appointed to be a technical organizer of the next Crans Montana Forum (CMF).

Crans Montana Forum is one of the most authoritative world Forums, as well as a place and meeting point of key decision makers from EU and Golf countries, since 1989.

Dynamic preparations related to the Forum organization are underway in compliance with schedule. In spite of the vacation season, about hundred participates have already registered at the official page of Crans Montana Forum www.cmf.ch to participate this event, what presents an encouraging fact for its success.

The Crans Montana Forum is an International Organization created in 1986 whose importance and prestige are well-established.

CMF works for the promotion of international cooperation and contributes to global growth while ensuring a high level of stability, equity and security. The aim is also to foster the best practices and ensure a global dialogue.

The first Crans Montana Forum was dedicated to the political and economic reconstruction of the post Cold War Europe. Since this first event, the Forum has continued to contribute and create meeting opportunities for its participants.

FIPA has for the last two months responded to numerous inquires of sponsors interested in Crans Montana Forum.

In addition to this FIPA has held two special presentations in Sarajevo and Banja Luka for the most prominent companies in Bosnia and for investors explaining main goals and expectations of the Forum.

Currently FIPA together with CMF headquarter finalizing a preliminary program which will be published soon on the official FIPA website http://www.fipa.gov.ba/ as well as on the official website of the Crans Montana Forum (www.cmf.ch).

Crans Montana Forum will be held in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo in the period from 7th to 10th October 2008 in the Radon Plaza Hotel.

The three proposed topics to be discussed at the Forum are: Transport, European Integrations and Tourism.
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