Business Forum: 10 years Berlin Process – The Western Balkans as an economic area on the way to the EU
WB6 CIF Delegation at the Business Forum: Committed to the Common Regional Market and Green Transformation
On September 24, 2024, the Business Forum: 10 years Berlin Process – The Western Balkans as an economic area on the way to the EU took place in Berlin at the premises of Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. The Business Forum was organized by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), supported by the German Eastern Business Association (OA), the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), and the Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum (WB6 CIF).
The Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum (WB6 CIF) delegation, supported by the European Commission, actively participated in the forum.
The delegation comprised the Managing Board of Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum led by Mr. Lulzim Rafuna, Chairman of the Managing Board of WB6 CIF and President of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce; along with the presence of other members of the Managing Board, including Ms. Ines Muçostepa, President of the Union of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Albania; Ms. Nina Drakić, President of the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro; Mr. Ahmet Egrlić, President of the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina; as well as Mr. Mihailo Vesović, Director of Division for Strategic Analyses, Services, and Internationalization, of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and Mr. Nikola Vujovic, Vice-President of the Chamber of Economy of Montengro. The delegation was also accompanied by Ms. Tatjana Shterjova Dushkovska, Secretary General of WB6 CIF.
The participating 24 SMEs from the WB6 economies, part of the delegation, from the sectors of infrastructure, agriculture, and automotive, including metal, plastic, and textile, also had the opportunity to participate in the networking event, where companies and investors had the chance to connect and explore the potential of the region.
For more details on the SMEs that were part of the WB6 CIF delegation, explore the E-catalogue.
The forum’s agenda focused on the Common Regional Market and the Energy and Climate protection.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, discussed the path toward European Union for the economic area.
It is particularly important for Germany to strengthen the Common Regional Market and to reduce barriers to trade and investment. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) supports the Western Balkans region with a purchasing initiative, administrative partnerships, high-level government consultations and within the framework of the European Climate Initiative (EUKI).
Mr. Lulzim Rafuna, Chairman of the Managing Board of WB6 CIF, gave his impulse for the Ministerial Panel: Common Regional Market – 10 Years Berlin Process, emphasizing the transformative potential of the Common Regional Market. Mr. Rafuna noted that “The idea of a Common Regional Market (CRM) represents far more than trade and regulation—it embodies opportunity. It signals better conditions for businesses to grow, for individuals to thrive, and for our region to realize its true potential. Together, we are creating a marketplace where goods, services, people, and capital flow freely, elevating the lives of approximately 17 million citizens across the Western Balkans.”
With a business ecosystem of 375,000 companies employing nearly 7 million people and a combined GDP of €113.1 billion, the Western Balkans holds significant economic and demographic weight.
Mr. Rafuna underscored that the Common Regional Market initiative, launched in 2020, is a key step toward deeper regional and EU integration. By advancing the four freedoms—free movement of goods, services, people, and capital—the region is laying the groundwork for long-term competitiveness and growth. The WB6 CIF has actively contributed to the preparation of the new Common Regional Market Action Plan for 2025-2028.
“The Western Balkans holds immense promise. Through collaboration, innovation, and continued EU support, we can close the convergence gap and create a thriving regional market,” emphasized Mr. Rafuna.
The forum also addressed the need for climate transformation, which brings both opportunities and challenges, particularly for the energy sector in the Western Balkans. The region’s energy mix is dominated by fossil fuels, especially coal, leading to high carbon emissions—four times that of the EU, with a slower reduction rate. However, there is significant potential to expand renewable energy, particularly solar and wind.
The introduction of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in 2026 is expected to reshape the current tendencies, offering a pivotal moment for transition.
The Western Balkans contributed to the panel discussion with the participation of Mr. Svetozar Janevski, Member of the Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum Business Council and representative of Tikveš, North Macedonia, Ms. Angela Nastevska, representative of Kentaur Impex, North Macedonia, and Mr. Stjepan Kumric, representative of Lukavac Cement, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
With the right approach, the Western Balkans can leverage the green transition to ensure competitiveness in the EU market, even after the CBAM introduction. The path to a sustainable future is clear—investing in renewable energy will be key to reducing emissions and fostering economic growth in the region.
To further discuss the Common Regional Market and the challenges of the green energy transition, Mr. Lulzim Rafuna, Chairman of the Managing Board of the WB6 CIF, also participated in the Ministerial Conference, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities of the green transition for the region.
