Are you a small business owner in the Western Balkans? Keen to expand your horizons and make more impact? Join the regional information event that promises to shed light on financial opportunities for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). “Open4Business – Made in the Western Balkans – Supported by the EU” is a dedicated event for MSMEs in the Western Balkans to learn more about financing opportunities, including from the European Union available through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).

Supporting the development of a robust private sector, boosting competitiveness and creating jobs in the region are key objectives of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, the recovery plan for the region put in place in 2020 by the EU and endorsed by the Western Balkans’ partners. Significant investments support small businesses, particularly in areas such as green investments and technologies, microfinancing, energy efficiency, renewable energy projects, sustainable agriculture, circular economy, eco-tourism, and enterprises led by women and young people.

Participate live, remotely or online

Organised by the European Commission’s Directorate General for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), in collaboration with the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia and the Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum (WB6CIF), the morning session of the event will be held live in Skopje, remotely in the other five capitals of the Western Balkans, and accessible online. There are multiple ways to participate and maximise your networking opportunities. If you cannot be present in Skopje, you can follow the morning session remotely with the Chambers of Commerce in the other regional capital cities, together with your peers. The afternoon session will take place concurrently, in all six capitals, so you can book a slot to discuss with your local financial institutions in one of the six regional venues. And if you cannot make it to any of these venues, you can still follow the event and book a consultation with your preferred financial institutions using our on-line event platform.