OSCE Economic Forum in Prague calls for closer co-operation between governments and private sector

PRAGUE, 4 June 2004 - OSCE participating States and the business community should develop co-operation to pursue the common goal of peace and prosperity in the region. This was one of the main points made at the closing session of the Twelfth OSCE Economic Forum in Prague which ended today.

The five-day event brought together over 500 representatives of OSCE participating States, international organizations and non-governmental organizations, as well as academics, scientists and business people.

"We have seen concrete, encouraging examples of how the private sector contributes actively to the prevention of conflicts and post-conflict rehabilitation activities," said Marcin Swiecicki, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities. "Building-up public-private partnerships makes our work more sustainable and makes an important contribution to maintaining peace, stability and security in the OSCE region."

The Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities said that strengthening business associations such as chambers of commerce as genuinely independent partners for governments was an important role which the OSCE could play.

"Business associations are an important component of a civil society. They are key partners in identifying obstacles to foreign and domestic investment, as well as in promoting anti-corruption campaigns or streamlining business legislation so that it is conducive to business growth and development," said Marcin Swiecicki.

The OSCE has encouraged the development of small and medium businesses in countries in transition to help fight poverty and eradicate the root causes of conflicts.

"Economic empowerment is a crucial tool when addressing vulnerability factors and ensuring the peaceful solution of conflict," added Mr. Swiecicki. "Increasing our partnership with the business community will multiply its impact".

The Chairman of the Forum, Ambassador Ivan Naydenov of Bulgaria, said the various economic and environmental subjects addressed by the Forum would contribute to strengthening political dialogue in the OSCE.

"The Forum represented a valuable contribution to the identification of needs, gaps, as well as instruments at our disposal and clearly demonstrated that the OSCE has a role in promoting institutional and human capital development," he said.

Other topics discussed at the Forum included the role education can play in the economic transition process and the importance of tourism for both economic growth and sustainable development. Corruption was mentioned as a continuing serious problem in many countries.

The theme proposed for the next Economic Forum in 2005 is "Demographic Trends, Migration and Integrating Persons belonging to National Minorities: Ensuring Security and Sustainable Development in the OSCE area".