GLOBSEC Tatra Summit 2018

Lobby, Grand Hotel Kempinski
High Tatras

Kriváň, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Changing the World Through Technology

Tatra Summit Young Professionals Programme
(upon separate invitation only)

Dex Torricke-Barton, Director, Brunswick Group, London

Led by: Alexandra Martin, Director, Strategic Forums, GLOBSEC, Bratislava

Kriváň, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Ruling in a Man’s World: Women in Leadership

Tatra Summit Young Professionals Programme
(upon separate invitation only)

Marina Ranga, Senior Researcher, Joint Research Centre, European Comission,
Seville
Dita Přikrylová, CEO and Founder, Czechitas, Prague

Led by: Claudia Tran, Deputy Director, Corporate and Strategic Relations, GLOBSEC, Bratislava

Lobby, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Grand Restaurant, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Welcome Buffet Lunch

Guests arriving in the morning are advised to attend lunch at the earliest opportunity to ensure their highest comfort.

Gerlach Ballroom, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Official Welcome

Róbert Vass, President, GLOBSEC, Bratislava
Vazil Hudák, Vice President, European Investment Bank, Luxembourg
H.E. Ivan Korčok, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Republic to the United States

Gerlach Ballroom, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Opening Remarks

H.E. Peter Pellegrini, Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic

Gerlach Ballroom, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

EU Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: Creating or Curbing the Competition?

The digital transformation of the economy creates immense opportunities for improving public and private sector services. It also raises concerns about transparency, inclusivity and power dynamics between the big players and others. With small and medium-size enterprises representing 99% of the EU’s economy and providing over two-thirds of private sector employment, ensuring fair competition that enables the growth of innovative enterprises is key. The European Commission has taken a lead on reining in companies that abuse their market advantage, by punitive as well as legislative measures. What policies are still required to level the playing field? Does regulating the entrepreneurial environment destroy or facilitate innovation and competition? How can we best ensure that innovation does not breed more public mistrust towards companies?

14:30 – 15:00 Opening Talk: Hon. Margrethe Vestager, Commissioner for Competition, European Commission, Brussels
15:00 – 15:15 Business Response: Daniel Křetínský, Chairman of the Board of Directors, EP Holding, Prague
Led by: Jennifer Baker, Independent EU Policy Journalist, Brusselsgeek.com, Brussels

Gerlach Ballroom, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Balancing Action and Reaction: EU’s Economic Future

Political fragmentation in the European Union, the rise of populism and reluctance to reform in good times are our new reality. Clouds over the global economy originating from the risk of the all-out trade war and the disruption of transatlantic relations only support the case to act as quickly as possible. Can Europe’s leaders and finance ministers outsmart domestic politics to strengthen economic and financial architecture before the next crisis hits? Is the EU’s position a trade-off between addressing internal challenges and taking the lead on the global stage, or can its political and business leaders act as well as react to domestic and international affairs? What can be done to increase the competitiveness of CEE businesses in the current economic climate?

H.E. Peter Kažimír, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Slovak Republic
H.E. Olaf Scholz, Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister of Finance of the Federal Republic of Germany
H.E. Hartwig Löger, Federal Minister of Finance of the Republic of Austria
H.E. Bruno Le Maire, Minister of Economy and Finance of the French Republic
Andreas Treichl, CEO, Erste Group Bank, AG, Vienna
Led by: Maithreyi Seetharaman, CEO, Facultas Media Limited, London

Gerlach Ballroom, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Tatra Summit Chat: Reaping the Rewards of Digital Revolution 

The world is at a critical point in a complex and interrelated process of digital transformation that affects all aspects of the economy and societies. However, the ongoing digital revolution is not only about the uptake of technologies, but also a more general transformation within societies and businesses. What is required to turn these new technologies into economic and social opportunities? How can government and stakeholder cooperation be achieved and structured to reap the benefits from going digital? And how can digital technologies be used to diminish rather than create inequalities between and among CEE countries and their respective populations?

Hon. Ángel Gurría, Secretary-General, OECD, Paris
John Lepore, General Counsel, Policy and Advocacy, Mastercard, New York
Led by: Dex Torricke-Barton, Director, Brunswick Group, London

Deluxe Room 017, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Focus Group: Tax Systems - Innovative Approaches

Excise taxes have always been imposed to raise revenues, curb consumption or eliminate the effects of negative externalities. However, it has become increasingly important to also introduce regulatory and fiscal measures to achieve more sustainable production and consumption. Governments around the world have started to use taxation as a way to limit the consumption of harmful products by incentivising supply of and demand for more innovative and sustainable alternatives. From CO2 emissions to waste management, mobility, non-communicable diseases and more, there is a range of policies that show how taxation can play a major role in reaching broad public policy objectives related to sustainability. How can we build on existing policy frameworks to fulfil sustainability goals more broadly?

Walter de Wit, , Professor of International and European Customs Law
Erasmus University, Rotterdam
David Sweanor, Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa
František Imrecze, former President, Financial Administration, Bratislava
Led by: Danuše Nerudová, Rector, Mendel University, Brno

Deluxe Room 009, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Focus Group: Infrastructure Investments in CEE
This focus group will feature a presentation by The Visegrad Insight and The German Marshall Fund of the United States

Almost three decades after the ‘reunification’ of Europe, CEE countries still fall short of the European average in terms of quantity and quality of digital, transport and energy networks. Conversely, short-term approaches to public spending across the region have also led to a decrease in levels of investment in infrastructure projects. This is likely to have a negative impact on the region’s economic growth as well as the integrity of the EU as a whole. How will the proposed cuts to the next EU budget affect funding for regional infrastructure projects? Could the potential gap be filled by private sector investment? What steps are needed to make CEE infrastructure networks more efficient, innovative and in line with European standards?

Marián Boček, Managing Partner, IPM, Bratislava
Svetoslava Georgieva, Executive Director, Fund Manager of
Financial Instruments in Bulgaria, Sofia
SofiaPhilippe Guitard, Senior Executive Vice President, Central and Eastern Europe, Veolia Environnement SA, Prague
Tamás Bernáth, Chairman and CEO, Hungarian Development Bank, Budapest
Led by: Joshua Posaner, Reporter, POLITICO Europe, Brussels

Deluxe Room 011, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Focus Group: Sustainable Mobility: From EU Emissions Reductions to a Regional Industrial Strategy

The transition to low emission mobility is key to achieving Europe’s ambitious energy and climate objectives. Battery electric vehicles have emerged as the first viable alternative to combustion engines and appear to be on the verge of major growth over the next decade. The base of electric vehicles remains small in Central and Eastern Europe, but governments appear keen to promote e-mobility as a low emission mobility solution. At the same time, the region serves as the hub for Europe’s conventional auto manufacturing and supply chain, leaving economies especially vulnerable to the transition to alternative vehicles.  What measures can help to overcome the ‘chicken and egg’ dilemma of transport electrification in CEE? How can governments link emissions reductions in transportation to an industrial policy supporting innovation linked to the 2050 EU climate strategy and next budget?

Tanja Vainio, Country Managing Director Czech Republic and Slovakia, ABB, Prague
Kamil Čermák, Chairman of the Board and Director General, ČEZ ESCO, Prague
Anton Ondrej, Assistant Vice President, Kia Motors Slovakia, Žilina
Led by: Julian Popov, Chairman, Buildings Performance Institute Europe, London

Venue: Junior Apartment 015, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Focus Group: CEE Tech Valley - Solutions for the Future

New technologies are exponentially changing the nature of the industry. Faced with the prospect of half of their workforce being replaced by automated systems, CEE countries must strive to transform themselves from manufacturers into innovation-driven economies. So how can the region reward entrepreneurship and innovation and create a favourable environment for businesses? How can CEE prevent ‘brain drains’ while attracting fresh talent from other parts of the world? Given the necessity of finding new durable strategies for the region, can establish a CEE Tech Valley provide answers to the challenges ahead? At the same time, what financial instruments could provide adequate funding for these new ambitions? Will these initiatives help to create high value-added regional economies?

Ivan Lesay, CEO and Chairman of the Board, Slovak Investment Holding, Bratislava
Marina Ranga, , Senior Researcher, Joint Research Centre, European Commission,
Seville
Miroslav Lukeš, General Manager, General Counsel, Slovakia, Austria and
Czech Republic, Mastercard, Prague
Pablo Chavez, Vice President, Global Public Policy and Government Affairs, Google Cloud, Washington, D.C.
Michal Skalsky, Partner, Head of Digital in Central and Eastern Europe,
McKinsey & Company, Prague
Led by: Boyan Benev, Founder, SHYN, Sofia

Deluxe Room 019, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Focus Group: Eurozone: Resilient, Attractive and Beneficial for All?

The long-awaited Franco-German reform proposal for safeguarding the eurozone against future volatilities is finally on the table. Differences remain, however, between members concerned that they will bear the cost of others should another crisis occur, and those that seek deeper integration, including separate budget and governance capacities. Will recent developments on the continent inspire much-needed EU and eurozone reforms, or merely fuel complacency – thus setting the stage for another crisis down the road? What will future eurozone reforms mean for non-member states? How would further eurozone convergence influence Central and Eastern Europe? What kind of stimulus could make the eurozone more attractive to potential new members?

Nauro Campos, Professor in Economics, Brunel University London
Jakub Wiśniewski, Vice President, GLOBSEC; Director, GLOBSEC Policy Institute, Bratislava
Matti Maasikas, Deputy Minister for EU Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Republic of Estonia
Katarína Kakalíková, Director, Public Policy, Mastercard, Brussels
Led by: Karel Lanoo, CEO, Center for European Policy Studies, Brussels

Grand Restaurant, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

GLOBSEC TATRA SUMMIT Award Dinner Featuring the GLOBSEC European Award and the GLOBSEC Business Award
(upon separate invitation only)

Introduction:H.E. Peter Kažimír, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Slovak Republic
GLOBSEC European Award: Hon. Ángel Gurría, Secretary-General, OECD, Paris
GLOBSEC Business Award: Andreas Treichl, CEO, Erste Group Bank, AG, Vienna

Kriváň and Gerlach Ballroom, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

GLOBSEC TATRA SUMMIT Reception
Hosted by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic
(upon separate invitation only)

Lobby Bar, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Cocktail
Music By: Martin Valihora & International Jazz Allstar Band

Deluxe Room 009, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Energy Performance Contracting in Slovakia: Let’s Get It Right
In cooperation with Slovak Investment Holding
(upon separate invitation only)

Energy Performance Contracting has the potential to reduce energy consumption, increase the quality of public buildings and contribute to the environmental protection. And all of this is possible without any burden on public budgets or public debt. What is the current state of the EPC market in Slovakia? How can key stakeholders from Slovak and European institutions address the current obstacles and help develop this market to its full potential? What are the financing opportunities for EPC investments? And what role do should Slovak and European advisory services play in preparation of these complex investments projects?

Deluxe Room 011, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Focus Group: New Technologies vs. Old Skill Sets: Competitiveness in the Age of Disruptive Innovation

The digital transformation of the European economy brings as many benefits as it does challenges. New technologies are changing the entrepreneurial environment and what follows they have an impact on the competitiveness of the Member States. Therefore, the large number of countries must prepare themselves to the changing nature of their economy. What does it mean for the European economy as a whole? Do new challenges unite or broaden the divisions among the Member States? What is the impact for the euro and the non-euro Member States? Does lack of convergence is currently preventing Europe from being globally competitive in the field of digital and innovative business? How can the CEE region fully embrace the concept of knowledge-driven societies and secure future economic growth?

Juraj Vaculík, CEO and Co-founder, Aeromobil, Bratislava
Oana Popescu, Director, GlobalFocus Center, Bucharest
Michal Číž, General State Advisor, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’s for Investments and Informatization of the Slovak Republic
Levente Juhasz, Public Policy Manager, Google, Warsaw
Led by: Alena Kudzko, Deputy Research Director, GLOBSEC Policy Institute, Bratislava

Junior Apartment 015, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Focus Group: Brexit: the Countdown Has Begun

Intense negotiations between the UK and EU are expected to continue until well beyond the official due date for Brexit. The decision to leave the EU and the Single Market will not only reshape trade relations but also the future of European companies and banks based in the UK. How can companies navigate the economic uncertainties of a post-Brexit Europe? How will the possible relocation of large corporations and banks affect the labour force of the UK and EU?  Which European economies will be most affected by the changes and how will this affect the economy of the EU as a whole?

Jennifer Jackson-Preece, Associate Professor, European Institute and Department of International Relations, London School of Economics and Political Science
Fabian Zuleeg, Chief Executive, European Policy Centre, Brussels
Mateusz Szczurek, Associate Director and Regional Economist, European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development, Warsaw
Ronald Kent, Managing Director, UK Finance, London
Led by: Agata Gostyńska-Jakubowska, Senior Research, Centre for European Reform, London

: Deluxe Room 017, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Globsec EU Taskforce - Building a Vision for Europe Through the Lenses of a Constructive Central European Perspective
(upon separate invitation only)

With European Parliament elections, a new Commission and Brexit, 2019 promise to be a pivotal year for the European Union. The outcome of these key developments will also shape EU’s response to a number of pressing issues, including ensuring economic growth and financial stability; harnessing the full potential of technologies while safeguarding labour markets; balancing migration policies with the need to protect citizens and borders; and determining the EU’s future role on the global stage. There’s also the need to contend with the growing popularity of populist and Eurosceptic forces and their potentially dangerous consequences for political, economic and social stability. How will the EU resolve common challenges while tackling its East-West divide? Will engaging with constructive voices from Central and Eastern Europe create a vision for Europe that bridges existing gaps and reignites a common purpose?

Introductory remarks: H.E. Miroslav Lajčák, Minister of Foreign and European
Affairs of the Slovak Republic
H.E. Ivan Korčok, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Republic to the United States
Ladislav Miko, Head of the European Commission Representation in Slovakia,
Bratislava
Jakub Wiśniewski, Vice President, GLOBSEC; Director, GLOBSEC Policy Institute, Bratislava
Led by: Vladislava Gubalova, Research Fellow, GLOBSEC Policy Institute, Bratislava
ŠTEFAN FÜLE, Member of the Board, CEFC Group (Europe) Company a.s., Prague
VLADIMIR DLOUHY, President, Czech Chamber of Commerce, Prague
GORDON BAJNAI, Chairman of Global Advisory Board, Campbell Lutyens, London
Led by: KINGA BRUDZINSKA, Senior Research Fellow, GLOBSEC Policy Institute, Bratislava

Gerlach Ballroom, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

InvestEU and Digitalisation: The Right Answers to CEE Concerns?

The EU’s post-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework will limit the amount of funding available to member states. To alleviate negative impacts, Brussels has introduced InvestEU, which seeks to mobilise private sector investment in four key areas – education, research and innovation; small and medium sized businesses; sustainable infrastructure; and social inclusion. After a period where economic prosperity was partly fuelled by EU structural funds, what other options are available for the CEE region to fund sustainable growth? Can the digital economy provide a new engine for growth and how substantial is the potential driven by this transformation?

Introductory Remarks: H.E. Mihály Varga, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Hungary
Vazil Hudák, Vice President, European Investment Bank, Luxembourg
Przemysław Cieszyński, Member of the Management Board, Bank Gospodarstwa
Krajowego, Warsaw
Pablo Chavez, Vice President, Global Public Policy and Government Affairs, Google Cloud, Washington, D.C.
Led by: Joshua Posaner, Reporter, POLITICO Europe, Brussels

Kriváň, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

CEE Catching Up: Accelerating Convergence Post-2020

From Brexit to planned cuts to Cohesion Funds and the CAP, and much more besides, a lot is at stake in ongoing negotiations regarding the EU’s post 2020 budget. None more so than for CEE countries and their efforts to catch up with the EU’s leading economies. While nominal indicators are steadily rising, the region’s convergence rate to their Western counterparts is likely to stagnate if the region continues to rely on old models of growth expansion. How can the new MFF help to drive the region’s economies forward? Can CEE play a constructive role in EU climate strategy and budget negotiations and can this be linked to an industrial policy supporting innovation and green energy transition? What policies need to be adopted to advance and even accelerate the convergence process?

Hon. Maroš Šefčovič, Vice President for the Energy Union, European Commission, Brussels
Vladimír Dlouhý, President, Czech Chamber of Commerce, Prague
Biswajit Banerjee, Chief Economist, Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic, Bratislava
Led by: Lili Bayer, Reporter, POLITICO Europe, Brussels

Gerlach Ballroom, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Tatra Talk: Backlash Against the Machine

The pace at which technologies are spreading into every aspect of society raises a number of concerns about the future of employment. Whereas for businesses the issue largely boils down to a matter of efficiency, for many individuals it is about maintaining a sense of purpose and dignity in a changing labour market. The current lack of adequate knowledge and skills needed to adapt to the age of AI exacerbates feelings of being left behind in a globalised world, a sentiment with the potential for severe political repercussions. How can we manage the real challenges and perceived threats posed by technological advances? And exactly whose responsibility is it to do so?

Dex Torricke-Barton, Director, Brunswick Group, London

Gerlach Ballroom, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

International Cooperation in Dire Straits: Private Sector to the Rescue?

Ongoing digitalisation makes multilateral cooperation in the business and political spheres indispensable, yet the power of political leadership to balance different interests appears ever more questionable. The current US administration’s apparent preference for a one-sided approach to global governance raises major concerns regarding the future of international order. Will it become the responsibility of the private sector to champion international cooperation? Are we really facing a future driven by unilateralism or can strengthening public-private partnerships help us face future challenges in a cooperative rather than confrontational manner?

H.E. Miroslav Lajčák, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic
Gordon Bajnai, Chairman of the Global Advisory Board, Campbell Lutyens, London
Daniela Schwarzer, Director, German Council on Foreign Relations, Berlin
Led by: Miroslava Germánová, Freelance Journalist, Bratislava

Gerlach Ballroom, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Grand Restaurant, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras