European Economic Congress starts in Katowice

The 10th European Economic Congress, the largest economic event in Central Europe, began in the southern Polish city of Katowice on Monday with the panel discussion "Our New Europe".

Taking part in the inaugural panel discussion are Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz, along with the former prime ministers George Papandreou (Greece), Iveta Radicova (Slovakia), Alexander Stubb (Finland), Jerzy Buzek (Poland) and Herman Van Rompuy (Belgium), who was also the first president of the European Council.

The guests of the congress include leading figures from the world of business, politics, local government, public administration, as well as various experts. The event's organisers estimate that this year's event will be record-breaking with about 10,000 people expected to take part in the three-day meeting. Over 150 debates and discussions with more than 900 panelists have been planned, in addition to numerous accompanying events such as European Start-up Days, which presents modern technologies and innovative ideas for business.

The European Economic Congress features numerous economic forums, such as Central Europe–Africa, India–Poland and ASEAN-European Union, accompanied by panels dedicated to economic relations between Europe and Japan, and Poland's links with China, Germany, the USA and West Bengal.

The debates will be held at the International Congress Centre in Katowice and the nearby Spodek, a multipurpose arena complex. (PAP)

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