Strategic Economic Talks 2025

From May 22 to 24, 2025, the fifth edition of the Strategic Economic Talks took place at the Kempinski Hotel Adriatic in Istria, Croatia. Organised by the TPA Group and SEEBDN – the Southeast Europe Business Development Network – in cooperation with strategic partner MK Group, the conference brought together over 120 high-level participants from the fields of business, politics, and media.

Under the continued motto “SEE the Future,” the event once again highlighted the growing economic ties between Southeast Europe and the German-speaking region. The event began with a golf tournament featuring professional golfer Markus Brier, followed by a relaxed welcome evening that provided the perfect setting for initial networking and personal exchange. The official opening of the conference was led by Aleksandar Gros, General Secretary of SEEBDN and Thomas Haneder, Partner at TPA Group. The agenda featured engaging panel discussions on topics such as pharma, AI, green transformation, infrastructure, and geopolitics. These themes were addressed by distinguished speakers including Gernot Blümel, Managing Director of MARE, a Science Park for Artificial Intelligence in eHealth; former Austrian Federal Minister of Finance; Elli Köstinger, Entrepreneur, Investor, Non-Executive Director at Ryanair; former Austrian Federal Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, the Environment and Water Management; Boris NEMSIC, TMT Industry Advisor to KKR, Ex-Chairman Of The Board at DELTA PARTNERS and Dieter Althaus, Former Minister-President of Thuringia, Vice President Governmental Affairs Magna Europe.

Several strong partners supported the conference. MK Group once again served as a strategic partner. At the same time, DP World, Aktuell – Unabhängiger Internationaler Versicherungsmakler, Atradius, Kornfeld Industriebeteiligung und Beratung GmbH, Aon, GrECo Group, Q Point and the Municipality of Celje/Mestna Občina Celje joined as premium partners.

The 5th Strategic Economic Talks provided a platform for dialogue on current economic challenges and opportunities in Southeast Europe. With insightful discussions, a high-calibre audience and fresh perspectives, the event once again set a strong tone for sustainable economic cooperation in the region.