5th Strategic Economic Talks: SEE the Future

From May 22 to 24, 2025, the fifth edition of the Strategic Economic Talks took place at the Kempinski Hotel Adriaticin Istria, Croatia. Organized by the TPA Group and SEEBDN – 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 opened with a golf tournament, accompanied by 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 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; Elisabeth Köstinger, Entrepreneur, Investor, Non Executive Director at Ryanair, former Austrian Federal Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, the Environment and Water Management; Boris Nemšić,  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.

The conference was supported by several strong partners. MK Group once again served as strategic partner, while DP World, Aktuell – Unabhängiger Internationaler Versicherungsmakler, Atradius, Kornfeld, Aon, GRECO, Q Point and the Municipality of 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.