The Business Potential of
Southeast Europe

More than 100 American businessmen arrived to Sofia on October 31 together with US trade minister William Daley. "Our aim is to acquaint US companies with the real prospects for doing business in Bulgaria and for setting up joint ventures, to discuss the investment climate and to facilitate the trade between Bulgaria and the USA," Daley said. The US minister will also check whether there is any point in the USA giving political guarantees to companies which invest in Bulgaria. The idea was put forward by deputy prime minister Alexander Bozhkov during his visit to the USA. The project will be considered during US president's Bill Clinton's visit at the end of the month. The businessmen took part in the conference on the possibilities for trade in Southeastern Europe where concrete projects were discussed. The conference was held in Sofia Monday and Tuesday, November 1-2, 1999.

Is your company aware of the business potential of Southeast Europe? As a result of the July Sarajevo Summit where international leaders discussed the future of Southeast Europe, the focus on economic and commercial development in the region has never been greater.

At Sarajevo, President Clinton asked Secretary of Commerce William Daley to bring American companies into Southeast Europe to explore new business opportunities and create partnerships that would allow them to participate in the rapid development we expect to see. Did you join Secretary Daley and other U.S. executives at this rare opportunity to meet official delegations and Southeast European companies.

Accompanying Secretary Daley were:

Jeff Miller, Vice President, Export-Import Bank's (EXIM) Group, George Munoz, President and CEO, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, J. Joseph Grandmaison, Director, U.S. Trade & Development Agency

In his keynote remarks before the Southeast Europe Commercial Opportunities and Partnership Conference, Sofia, Bulgaria, November 1, Daley outlined some of the activities designed to rebuild regional economies damaged by wars in Bosnia and Kosovo -- such as the U.S.-sponsored South East Europe Initiative -- and which would ultimately bolster that trade relationship. "All these efforts have a simple goal in mind," he said, "to involve the American private sector more directly and more actively in Southeast Europe."

Why? To introduce U.S. companies to business opportunities and challenges in the region. To provide a forum where U.S. companies can meet and explore partnerships with local firms. To review and assess the current regional climate for trade and investment.

How? One-on-one matchmaking meetings to establish valuable partnerships between American businesses and companies in the region. Plenary session outlining commercial opportunities and assistance programs to help U.S. companies explore these dynamic markets. Breakout sessions with latest developments in key sectors (energy, transportation, communications and more). Country briefings led by country delegations and experts offered detailed analysis of the business climate.

Who? The conference brought you together with government officials and business delegations from across Southeast Europe: Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, and Romania. There were also special sessions devoted to doing business in Kosovo and Montenegro.