On 27 March 2025, the Business Council of the Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum (WB6 CIF) and the European Commission met in Brussels for the highly anticipated EU-WB6 Business Platform meeting. The event provided a unique opportunity for business leaders from the Western Balkans to engage directly with EU representatives, discussing strategies to enhance regional economic integration and facilitate access to the EU Single Market.

The meeting began with a briefing session led by Mr. Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighborhood (DG ENEST). During this session, senior executives from regional businesses, as members of the WB6 CIF Business Council, shared their insights on investment opportunities and the challenges facing the region.

In their opening statements, Mr. Koopman and Mr. Lulzim Rafuna, Chairman of the WB6 CIF Managing Board, reaffirmed their commitment to fostering closer relations between the EU and the Western Balkans, highlighting the importance of the Growth Plan and the gradual integration of the region into the EU market.

The meeting focused on the main challenges regional businesses face, particularly within the framework of the Western Balkans Growth Plan. Discussions were divided into three main thematic sessions, moderated by presidents of regional chambers of commerce. Concerning Trade in Goods and Services, representatives from Milšped, Agna Group, Mikroelektronika, Buçaj, and Ananas discussed barriers and opportunities for strengthening trade between the Western Balkans and the EU. Concerning Investments and Access to Finance, representatives from Gray International, Philip Morris, and Dott. focused on strategies to improve access to finance for the business community in the region. As to Green Transition and Digital Transformation, representatives from Lukavac Cement, Tikveš, Kolektor, and Tiki shared their experiences and strategies for aligning with EU environmental and digitalization standards.

EU Commission representatives and private sector stakeholders examined investment potential in the region and discussed the future of economic cooperation with the EU. The discussions underscored the need for a structured dialogue between the EU and WB6 private sectors, particularly in bilateral business cooperation, foreign direct investments (FDI), and supply chain integration.

The European Commission reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating and overcoming existing barriers through upcoming initiatives, including joint thematic meetings and roundtables, as well as organization of a high-level EU-Western Balkans Business and Investment Forum.

Ms. Valentina Superti, Director for the Western Balkans, closed the meeting by emphasizing the strong commitment from both sides to continue dialogue within the WB6 Chamber Investment Forum, providing regional businesses with a clear roadmap for deeper integration into the EU Single Market.

The meeting also included representatives from regional partner organizations such as CEFTA, the Energy Community, and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), as well as European Commission experts, who actively contributed by offering insights and policy recommendations to support the economic development of the region.