This year's forum took place between September 9th and 12th in Krynica. The forum ranks among the biggest yearly gatherings of economists, politicians and businesspersons in the region of Central and Eastern Europe.

Over 900 participants from 60 countries in Europe, Asia and America decided to take part in panels, discussions and other types of meeting at this year's forum. Poland was represented by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy Waldemar Pawlak, Minister of Tresury Aleksander Grad, Deputy Minister of Finance Ludwik Kotecki and Secretary of State at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister Michał Boni. Among panellists there were also the former Polish President Aleksander Kwa¶niewski and President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek.

Debates on the forum fell into several categories, among others, regional issues, investment, privatisation and economic development. Major issues brought up on this year's forum concerned the economic crisis, summary of the transformations which took place in Europe in the last 20 years and the set of challenges faced by the European Union.
The inaugurating session was held with the motto: "European Solidarity - 20 years after the Revolution" and was devoted to a discussion on Europe's unity in the time of crisis.

The second day of the forum focused on economic issues. The Warsaw Stock Exchange (GPW) organised a panel on M&As and portfolio investment. Among the analysts who participated in the panel there were the GPW President - Ludwik Sobolewski, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Paweł Wojciechowski and PLL LOT President - Sebastian Mikosz.

The discussion was also attended by the PAIiIZ President Sławomir Majman, who emphasised that in the time of crisis Poland does stand out from among other European countries, being the only state recording positive economic growth indicators, thanks to the country's sound financial system, absorbent market and attractive investment incentives, including European Funds allocated to the development of the country.

The Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency organised a discussion panel "Investment acquisition in the times of crisis - CEE's competitiveness" which also took place on the second day of the Forum. The panel enjoyed the patronage of the Foundation Institute for Eastern Studies.

The idea behind the discussion was to present investment climate in the region of Central and Eastern Europe and the region's potential of investment acquisition in the field of the so called new wave sectors. The panel attempted to compare investment attractiveness of the region with the emerging markets in Asia.

The debate, chaired by the president Sławomir Majman, was attended by representatives of Czech, Slovak and Hungarian investment agencies. Among panellists there were :Alexandra Rudyąarová - Director at CzechInvest, Ivan Jukl-Director at CzechTrade, Ágnes Kozma-Director at ITDH, Ludwik Sobolewski - President of the Management of the Warsaw Stock Exchange.

During the panel Mr Majman presented competitive advantages of the CEE region highlighting those which are especially attractive in the times of crisis. According to PAIiIZ President, near future may see our region become the world BPO and R&D investment valley in the fields of new technologies. Poland stands a very good chance of attracting this kind of investment thanks to the country's human capital, competitive labour costs, favourable geographic location and high quality of provided services.

Panellists representing key investment agencies in the CEE region discussed also the issue of the region's competitiveness in the context of Asian markets (India, China), carried out a direction and method analysis of how to encourage investment in the times of crisis and shared experience in the field of investors' expectations towards investment agencies. (PAIiIZ)