WIIW The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies - Wiener Institut für Internationale Wirtschaftsvergleiche

A “European Silk Road”: How can Europe tap the full potential of its home market?

21  November 2019    11:30 am CET

Panel discussion

In cooperation with:

Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB) 

Venue

Permanent Representation of Austria to the EU, Avenue de Cortenbergh 30, 1040 Brussels

Description

Key Note
Mario Holzner
Executive Director and Economist
The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw)

Panelists
Maja Bakran
Deputy-Director General Mobility and Transport, European Commission
Marek Dabrowski
Senior Fellow, Bruegel
Romana Vlahutin
Ambassador at Large for Connectivity, European External Action Service

Chair
Isabella Lindner
Chief Representative of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB)

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI, the “New Silk Road”) is set to trigger investment in infrastructure in Asia, Africa and Europe to improve market access. So far, Europe has responded passively, although particularly the Eastern part needs modernization of its transport networks. How can the infrastructure gap be filled and Europe tap the full potential of its home market?

The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw) has proposed the building of a “European Silk Road”, which connects the industrial centres in the West with the populous, but less developed regions in the East of Europe.
In its study the wiiw finds that a “European Silk Road” could create millions of new jobs and increase GDP by an average cumulative 3.5% in wider Europe over a ten-year period. An upgrade in the European transport infrastructure would boost incomes and living standards especially significant in the Eastern part of Europe. What does it need for this “Big Push” in infrastructure investments in greater Europe?

The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies in collaboration with the Oesterreichische Nationalbank would like to invite you to discuss this issue with a distinguished panel, followed by a buffet lunch.

RSVP to repb@oenb.at