EU FUNDS Profit.ro & FirstBank Conference – We finance the digitization of Romania – Focus Brașov. 2nd Edition

CONTEXT
The complicated macroeconomic and social context poses challenges for the business environment in all regions of the country. At a time when capital has become increasingly expensive, it is crucial for local entrepreneurs to identify and access the types of financing that can best support their development. European funds and digitization are the hot areas of interest around which most of the decision-makers’ efforts are focused at the moment. Both for companies, which must support continuous innovation efforts to grow in the market, and for public authorities, from whom citizens expect better services, whether it is the transformation of smart cities, urban mobility or paying taxes. Profit.ro, together with partners First Bank and Visa, aims to bring the debate on these challenges as close as possible to local communities in the country, with a first conference organized in Brașov.

THEMES FOR DEBATE:

  • Challenges for financing local businesses in a complex macroeconomic and social context.
  • Types of financing that can support the development of the local entrepreneurial environment.
  • Investments with impact in regional development.
  • SME digitization – regional perspective Brașov.
  • The evolution of electronic payments and consumer attitudes towards them.
  • Digitalization in the local public sector. How electronic payments change local public services: fees, taxes, public transport. How Brașov is becoming a smart city.
  • European funding available for entrepreneurs. What financiers expect from companies / What needs do entrepreneurs have.
  • Implications of decentralization in the administration of EU development programs.
  • Entrepreneurial opportunities in the Regional Program of the Center Region 2021 – 2027. What works well, what can be improved. Useful aspects in released project guides.
  • Funding sources for SMEs that want to go digital and invest in technology.
  • The experience of Brasov entrepreneurs who used bank financing and EU funds.

    • Event broadcast LIVE on Profit News TV, www.profit.ro and facebook.com/profit.ro

    Date: May 30, 2023

    Where: Event LIVE on the platforms www.profit.ro and facebook.com/profit.ro

    Moderator: Oana Osman – Editor-in-Chief Profit.ro

    AGENDA

    09.30-10.00 – Participant registration & Welcome coffee

    10.00-10.05 – Opening speech – Oana Osman – Editor-in-Chief Profit.ro

    10.05-11.00 – PANEL I – OPENING PANEL

    – Allen Coliban – Mayor, Brașov Municipality

    – Csilla Hegedüs – Secretary of State, Ministry of Investments and European Projects

    – Henk Paardekooper – Executive Chairman, First Bank

    – Cătălin Crețu – General Manager, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovenia, Visa

    – Cosmin Roșia – General Manager, Brașov Chamber of Commerce and Industry

    11.15-11.30 – COFFEE BREAK

    10.05-11.00 – PANEL II – DIGITALIZATION IN BUSINESS

    – Dragoș Tohănean – Vice President, Authority for Digitization of Romania

    – Cătălin Crețu – General Manager, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovenia, Visa

    – Anca Petcu – Vice President, First Bank

    – Petru Nechifor Moraru – Executive Director, Project Management Department within Brașov County Council

    11.05-12.30 – PANEL III – EUROPEAN FUNDING

    – Dan Zbuchea – Program Expert, Programming Department, Central Regional Development Agency (ADRC)

    – Ionuț Encescu – Head of Products and Digital Innovation HUB, First Bank

    – Răzvan Gălățan – Expert, Operational Director, Goodwill Consulting Romania

    – Local company representative

    12.30-13.30 – BUSINESS LUNCH