Free Market Road Show 2015

Using 2013 GDP growth figures (2014 were not available); real GDP growth in the European Union was 0.01%, while in the Euro area it was -0.5%. Some of Europe’s largest economies, such as the United Kingdom and France, experienced twin deficits – budget balance and current account balance. It is argued that the welfare state not only burdens future generations but also appears to be on the brink of collapse. Meanwhile, policymakers seem to be detached from the real causes of this worrisome situation, carrying on with further centralisation and increasing regulation in Europe’s economy. What recipe does Europe need to turn around the trend of a free fall and to experience economic growth, the latter leading to higher standards of living and the elimination of the remaining pockets of poverty? Is the solution a liberalisation of the economy, structural reforms, balanced budgets, lower tariffs, taxes and subsidies?

Dr Jure Stojan, Senior Fellow, Svetilnik (Moderator)

Dr Andrzej Rzońca, Member, Monetary Policy Council at the Polish National Bank

Mr. Manfred Kastner, President of the Board, Vision MicroFinance

Mr. Oliver Rothschild, Chairman, Oliver Rothschild Corporate Advisors

Mr. Christof Zeller-Zellenberg, President, Europa Institute

Dr Barbara Kolm, President, Friedrich A. v. Hayek Institute

Dr Ekkart Zimmermann, Emeritus, Dresden University of Technology

15:45 – 16:45 PANEL 2: FOREIGN INVESTMENT - FROM AN ENEMY TO A FRIEND (the panel shall be in English)

Slovenia has for years been unfriendly towards foreign investment; which has had a negative impact on economic growth, employment, and wellbeing. There are multiple reasons for this position, from vast political interest in owning and controlling the Slovenian economy to having one of the world’s most rigid labour markets, an excessively regulated economy, and an investment unfriendly tax code. Which institutional and policy changes need to be made to open Slovenia to foreign investment?

Dr Anže Burger, Senior Fellow, Svetilnik (Moderator)

Dr Peter Hasslacher, Director, Advantage Austria

Mr. Radovan Ďurana, Analyst, INESS

Mr. Ivan Jovetić, Senior Analyst, Institute for Studies and Projections

Mr. Roland Fritz, Research Fellow, Austrian Economics Center

17:15 – 18:15 PANEL 3: PODJETNIŠTVO - POSLOVNO OKOLJE, KJER SE DOSEGAJO POTENCIALI (panel bo v slovenščini)