The ICT Sector – Key to Economic Progress and Prosperity in South Eastern Europe Michael Mozur Deputy Special Coordinator of SP New Paths for Regional ICT Success May 16-17, 2006 Zagreb

South East Europe: Regional Economy Moving Forward Energy: Energy: - October 2005 Treaty creates a regional energy market based on EU standards. - October 2005 Treaty creates a regional energy market based on EU standards. Trade liberalization: Trade liberalization: - Moving from a network of 31 Bilateral Free Trade Agreements to a single regional FTA - Moving from a network of 31 Bilateral Free Trade Agreements to a single regional FTA - Enhancing regional trade and investment - Enhancing regional trade and investment Infrastructure: Infrastructure: - Five billion Euros in projects completed or underway. Investment needs over the period estimated at 17 billion Euros for energy and 16 billion for transport - Five billion Euros in projects completed or underway. Investment needs over the period estimated at 17 billion Euros for energy and 16 billion for transport

South East Europe: Regional Economy Moving Forward Investment: Investment: - Since 2002 FDI has steadily increased given political and economic reforms and the prospect of EU integration - Since 2002 FDI has steadily increased given political and economic reforms and the prospect of EU integration - SEE investment reached nearly 10 billion Euros in 2005, with Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia receiving the largest share - New regional investment monitoring mechanism – Investment Reform Index - New regional investment monitoring mechanism – Investment Reform Index ICT Sector: ICT Sector: - eSEE and bSEE Initiatives support the sector’s development in the region - eSEE and bSEE Initiatives support the sector’s development in the region - Clear progress, growing private sector interest and opportunity

Initiative for Electronic South East Europe – eSEE (since 2002) Participants: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, FYROM, Serbia, Montenegro, Moldova and UNMIK/Kosovo; Participants: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, 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 Information Society according to Acquis Communautaire; Adoption and implementation of a legal framework for Information Society according to Acquis Communautaire; Establishment of regional cooperation and national implementation mechanisms; Establishment of regional cooperation and national 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 2005 Thessaloniki Ministerial Meeting and MoU on the bSEE Initiative July 2005 Participants: eSEE Members + Greece and Romania Participants: eSEE Members + Greece and Romania Key objectives Key objectives - Propose legal and regulatory framework consistent with EU Directives and global standards; - Evaluate broadband technologies and international best practices; - Aggregate demand leading to broadband development; - Enhance broadband investment by building awareness, increasing level of public interest and fostering SME’s participation; - Prepare regional projects of common interest and assist in applying for EU and other sources of funding.

Public Private Dialogue and Partnership Stability Pact – Business Advisory Council Stability Pact – Business Advisory Council -working together to improve the business climate in SEE ICT sector ICT sector -eSEE and bSEE private sector outreach -major international, domestic ICT companies and local business associations local business associations Key goals Key goals -to promote productive public-private dialogue and cooperation across the range of ICT issues and opportunities -to strengthen the results of the eSEE/bSEE Initiatives -to make a real contribution to economic growth and competitiveness, job creation, governmental efficiency and transparency in South East Europe

Thank you for your attention and for your cooperation in the future. Contact: Michael MOZUR Deputy Special Co-ordinator Rue Wiertz 50, 1050 Brussels Rue Wiertz 50, 1050 Brussels