High level meeting: CESEE at a turning point –competing in an age of disruption and digital acceleration

Conference outline

EU firms in general — and those in CESEE in particular — navigate mounting trade disruptions, from rising geopolitical tensions to shifts in global tariff regimes. These issues are compounded by persistent Single Market fragmentation, where more than 60% of firms still face obstacles when exporting within the Union, according to the EIB Investment Survey, which surveys nearly 12,000 firms across the EU and also gives a uniquely rich picture of investment conditions and sentiment.

At the same time, digitalisation and AI adoption have become major drivers of EU productivity. Yet EU firms — especially in CESEE — can only harness these gains if they invest in software, data, talent, and modern digital infrastructure. These complementary investments, however, remain uneven across the region.

Against this backdrop, high‑level representatives and economic experts from the EIB, the OeNB, and CESEE business leaders will discuss current and future challenges — along with a central question: Is the CESEE economic model still fit for purpose in an era of geopolitical volatility, investment gaps, and rapid technological change? The workshop will examine how global shifts are reshaping CESEE’s trade position, how to unlock private investment for digital transformation, and what it takes to build an AI‑ready regional economy.

Join us at the Oesterreichische Nationalbank to explore how CESEE can turn today’s challenges into strategic opportunities for competitiveness and long‑term resilience.

Date
May 4, 2026, 14:00 – 17:00 CEST

Venue
Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB), Otto-Wagner-Platz 3, 1090 Vienna
Hybrid event (in person and online)