DRIVE EAST – DANUBE REGION IMPACT & VISION TALKS
Datum/Zeit
November 25, 2025
09:00 - 13:00 MESZ/MEZ
Austrian Federal Economic Chamber | Hall 6 I Wiedner Hauptstraße 63 | 1040 Vienna
Event language: English
Master of Ceremony: N.N. | Regional Director Southeast Europe, Eastern Europe/Central Asia | AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT AUSTRIA
Programme:
09:00 – 09:30: Registration and welcome coffee
09:30 – 09:45: Welcome remarks
• Gudrun HAGER | Chief Operating Officer, AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT AUSTRIA
• Sebastian SCHÄFFER | Director, Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM)
• Dionisi NIKOLOV | Director, Competence Center for Emerging Markets & Central and Eastern Europe, Vienna University of Economics and Business
09:45 – 10:45: PANEL 1 – CEE in focus: Navigating turbulence, thriving in markets
• Andrea GRITSCH | Managing Partner, Wolf Theiss Rechtsanwälte GmbH & Co KG
• Elitza KAVRAKOVA | Group Head Institutional Clients, Raiffeisen Bank International AG
• Johannes LEITNER | Managing Partner, L&M-Political Risk and Strategy Advisory GmbH
• Vladimir VANO | Economist Fellow, GLOBSEC
CHAIR: Arnold SCHUH | Senior Advisor and Lecturer, Competence Center for Emerging Markets & Central and Eastern Europe, Vienna University of Economics and Business
Businesses operating in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) are facing a multitude of challenges. Geopolitically, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has closed markets, disrupted traditional supply chains, and fueled inflation across Europe. Heightened security risks have led Western multinationals to withhold investments in the eastern flank of the EU. Additionally, the trade war triggered by Trump II has increased uncertainty in international trade, impacting CEE economies both directly and indirectly through trade and investment links with the EU, particularly Germany. The weak German economy, a shrinking automotive sector and the threat of de-industrialization are significantly affecting growth prospects in the region.
The traditional low-cost model for the CEE region appears to be reaching its limits. Rising production costs and a shrinking labor pool are eroding competitiveness. To improve living standards and sustain growth, CEE economies must become more innovative. Despite a few notable successes, the number of innovative champions originating from the region remains low relative to its potential. Diversification into sectors such as green technologies, the defense industry, and digitalization presents new growth opportunities.
Politically, the rise of national-populist parties poses challenges for a more integrated Europe – the vision that many multinationals support. Protectionist policies, favoritism toward domestic champions, EU criticism, and unpredictable interventions against foreign firms have tarnished the business climate for multinationals.
Managing these challenges across local, European, and global levels – while building resilience against future crises and capitalizing on ongoing industrial and market transformations – has become a top priority for multinational leadership.
We would like to discuss the following questions at the conference:
• How attractive is CEE in this changing business environment still for foreign investors?
• How do multinational firms respond to this mixture of (geo-)political, economic and security challenges?
• Must multinational firms pursue political strategies alongside market strategies to ensure success?
10:45 – 11:30: PANEL 2 – A vision for EU enlargement: teh road ahead
• Mario HOLZNER | Director, The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw)
• Sebastian SCHÄFFER | Director, Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM)
• Martha SUDA | The Austrian Trade Commissioner for Bosnia and Herzegovina
CHAIR: Sophia BEITER | Research Associate, Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM)
The future of EU enlargement remains a key strategic and economic question as the EU redefines its global role. In a time of growing geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions, and shifting alliances, deepening ties with candidate countries in the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe could offer the Union renewed strength, enhanced resilience and new markets. However, how can the EU unlock this potential while maintaining cohesion and competitiveness
within its borders?
Caught between the economic war between the United States and China, the EU faces increasing pressure to assert its economic sovereignty. While many Member States continue to show robust export performance and high GDP, candidate countries affected by political instability see their economic outlook fluctuate. Enlargement could serve as a stabilizing factor and a driver for innovation and growth. Questions arise: Can a broader Union become a stronger Union? How can enlargement be viable for both existing and future members? And above all, can the EU chart its own course in a polarized world?
11:30 – 13:00: Networking & light lunch
11:45 – 13:00: Speed-dating – Connecting employers & students
Please register here : DRIVE EAST 2025 | Portal
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