The ICT Sector – Key to Economic Progress and Prosperity in South

Eastern Europe

Michael MozurMichael MozurDeputy Special Coordinator of SPDeputy Special Coordinator of SP

New Paths for Regional ICT SuccessNew Paths for Regional ICT SuccessMay 16-17, 2006May 16-17, 2006

ZagrebZagreb

South East Europe: Regional Economy Moving Forward

Energy: Energy: - October 2005 Treaty creates a regional energy market based - October 2005 Treaty creates a regional energy market based

on EU standardson EU standards..

Trade liberalizationTrade liberalization:: - Moving from a network of 31 Bilateral Free Trade Agreements - Moving from a network of 31 Bilateral Free Trade Agreements

to a single regional FTAto a single regional FTA - Enhancing regional trade and investment- Enhancing regional trade and investment

Infrastructure:Infrastructure: - Five billion Euros in projects completed or underway. - Five billion Euros in projects completed or underway.

Investment needs over the period 2006-2015 estimated at 17 Investment needs over the period 2006-2015 estimated at 17 billion Euros for energy and 16 billion for transportbillion Euros for energy and 16 billion for transport

South East Europe: Regional Economy Moving Forward Investment:Investment: - - Since 2002 FDISince 2002 FDI has steadily increased given political and has steadily increased given political and

economic reforms and the prospect of EU integrationeconomic reforms and the prospect of EU integration- SEE investment reached nearly 10 billion Euros in 2005, with - SEE investment reached nearly 10 billion Euros in 2005, with Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia receiving the largest shareRomania, Bulgaria and Croatia receiving the largest share

- New regional investment monitoring mechanism – Investment - New regional investment monitoring mechanism – Investment Reform IndexReform Index

ICT Sector:ICT Sector: - eSEE and bSEE Initiatives support the sector’s development - eSEE and bSEE Initiatives support the sector’s development

in the regionin the region- Clear progress, growing private sector interest and opportunity- Clear progress, growing private sector interest and opportunity

Initiative for Electronic South East Europe – eSEE (since 2002)

Participants: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Participants: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, FYROM, Serbia, Montenegro, Moldova and UNMIK/Kosovo;FYROM, Serbia, Montenegro, Moldova and UNMIK/Kosovo;

Adoption of policy and strategy for the Information Society;Adoption of policy and strategy for the Information Society;

Adoption and implementation of a legal framework for Adoption and implementation of a legal framework for Information Society according to Acquis Communautaire;Information Society according to Acquis Communautaire;

Establishment of regional cooperation and national Establishment of regional cooperation and national implementation mechanisms;implementation mechanisms;

Promotion of Information Society for Development.Promotion of Information Society for Development.

Broadband South East Europe - bSEE

Thessaloniki Ministerial Meeting and MoU on the bSEE Initiative July Thessaloniki Ministerial Meeting and MoU on the bSEE Initiative July 20052005

Participants: eSEE Members + Greece and RomaniaParticipants: eSEE Members + Greece and Romania Key objectivesKey objectives

- Propose legal and regulatory framework consistent with EU - Propose legal and regulatory framework consistent with EU Directives and global standards; Directives and global standards;- Evaluate broadband technologies and international best practices;- Evaluate broadband technologies and international best practices;- Aggregate demand leading to broadband development;- Aggregate demand leading to broadband development;- Enhance broadband investment by building awareness, increasing level - Enhance broadband investment by building awareness, increasing level of public interest and fostering SME’s participation;of public interest and fostering SME’s participation;- Prepare regional projects of common interest and assist in applying for - Prepare regional projects of common interest and assist in applying for EU and other sources of funding.EU and other sources of funding.

Public Private Dialogue and Partnership

Stability Pact – Business Advisory CouncilStability Pact – Business Advisory Council-- working together to improve the business climate in SEEworking together to improve the business climate in SEE

ICT sectorICT sector-- eSEE and bSEE private sector outreacheSEE and bSEE private sector outreach-- major international, domestic ICT companies andmajor international, domestic ICT companies and

local business associationslocal business associations Key goalsKey goals

-- to promote productive public-private dialogue and cooperation to promote productive public-private dialogue and cooperation across the range of ICT issues and opportunitiesacross the range of ICT issues and opportunities

-- to strengthen the results of the eSEE/bSEE Initiatives to strengthen the results of the eSEE/bSEE Initiatives -- to make a real contribution to economic growth and to make a real contribution to economic growth and competitiveness, job creation, governmental efficiency and competitiveness, job creation, governmental efficiency and transparency in South East Europetransparency in South East Europe

Thank you for your attention and for your cooperation in the future.

Contact: Michael MOZURContact: Michael MOZURDeputy Special Co-ordinatorDeputy Special Co-ordinator

Rue Wiertz 50, 1050 BrusselsRue Wiertz 50, 1050 BrusselsE-mail: Michael.Mozur@stabilitypact.orgE-mail: Michael.Mozur@stabilitypact.org