Ekonom:east Media Group sucessfully organized its fourth annual conference on prospects for energy business in the Balkan region yesterday in Belgrade at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

The event was organized with the support of the Republic of Serbia Energy Efficiency Agency and the Energy Agency of the Republic of Serbia.The event gathered eminent speakers from companies in the Balkan region including: EFT Group, Schoenherr, Vemos, Holding Slovenskih Elektrana,

The ministry of mining and energy of the republic of Serbia,the Power Utility of Republika Srpska, IFC, EBRD, The Danish Energy Authority, and the Energy Community.

As a continuation of last year's conference, the panels addressed key questions such as which projects are the most interesting and the most attractive to potential investors and howthey will be financed over the upcoming year, what are the new investments in the region and what types of new facilities are planned for construction?

The conference attempted to answer how these new projects will change the energy picture in the region and how the majority of these projects will be financed.

The conference also raised the issue of energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy, what are the obstacles and what effect the use of renewable resources will have on the energy business.

Serbian Minister of Energy Supply Petar Skundric has stated that Serbia is considering the Bulgarian offer to partake in the construction of the nuclear plant “Belene”.

The decision has not yet been made but we are preparing for it, since that would be in the interest of Serbia, region and the EU, Skundric said at the gathering of the Economist Media Group, relating to the investments in the energy supply in the Balkans.

He added that the Chinese partners have been consulted about the possible financial and crediting support to Serbia for the participation in this project.

Serbia’s engagement would not violate the moratorium on the building of nuclear plants in Serbia, while it would rank our country among those that are serious, capable and responsible enough to take part in such a project, assessed Skundric.

According to Him, it would establish the regional cooperation and partner relations between Serbia and Bulgaria.

Prominent companies present at the event included: A2A Montenegro, ALPIQ, Alterna D, Altis Capital, Babic & Associates, Beogas, CES Mecon, Dalekovod, Deloitte, Eki Investment, Enel, Jankovic Popovic & Mitic, Karanovic&Nikolic, Konsing, Loger-Gabeira, NTE, Rudnap, Seci Energia, and Siemens.

In the framework of the event, the participants receeved a packet of materials dedicated to the conference.

The event symbolizes good will towards regional economic integration and an environment which will foster investments and intends for the energy infrastructure to reach the level of the requirements of the European community with a goal of European integration.