Europe economic outlook: any light at the end of the tunnel?
How are the European economies faring? Are we starting to see the effects of recovery plans? Has bank lending and the availability of liquidity stabilized? Where are the weaknesses? Strengths? What outlook for European business?

Antoni Abad, President, ESBAN Spanish Business Network Federation 
Cinzia Alcidi, Research Fellow, Centre for European Policy Studies, CEPS (Brussels)  
Richard Werly, European Affairs Correspondent- Correspondant pour les affaires européennes, Le Temps, Geneva, Switzerland

Chaired by:
Claude Smadja, Smadja & Associates, Switzerland

Expanding strategic relationships with the EU
The issue of “models of association” with the EU is gaining in importance, as in the case of Andorra, which continues to develop its strategic relationship with the Union. This is particularly relevant in the new economic landscape emerging from the present crisis. What is the latest EU thinking on different types of relationships within the European context, amongst member states but also with small European states like Andorra or Switzerland? How does the EU look at these issues while it is still in the process of creating more efficient internal processes? What would be the best way to optimize relationships with countries like Andorra?

Eugeni Bregolat, Ambassador of Spain in Andorra, Embassy of Spain, Andorra 
Òscar Ribas Reig, Former Prime Minister of Andorra, Doctor Honoris Causa by the University of Balearic islands & Academician of RACE, Andorra
Imma Tor, Ambassador of the Principality of Andorra to the European Communities, Andorra

Keynote Luncheon —

Much needed: getting back to core values

Ramon Ollé, Presidente Ejecutivo de BES La Salle; ex-Presidente Ejecutivo EMEA Seiko-Epson Corporation

Chaired by:
Lluís Caelles, Anchor, TV3, Spain

Brainstorming session —

Opportunities, innovation and brainpower: overcoming the crisis
Every crisis also brings with it opportunities. What kind of innovations should companies pursue to come out of the crisis faster and in stronger shape? What are the technological domains which look most promising in strengthening the competitive stance of European corporations?  In which sectors do we see the most innovation? Is there a silver lining to the crisis? Where? How can Europe maximize these opportunities?

Ian Cloete, President and Professor of Computational Intelligence, International University, Bruchsal, Germany
Jordi Pujol, Former President of Catalonia, Spain
Gonzalo Suarez, Secretario General, CajaGRANADA, Spain
Bruno van Pottelsberghe, Research Fellow, BRUEGEL and Professor, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Belgium 

Chaired by:
Liz Padmore, Independent Consultant, Board Director and Associate Fellow, Oxford Business School, United Kingdom

Panel discussion —

Europe towards a lower carbon economy: from rhetoric to realities after Copenhagen

Is the crisis providing an opportunity to shift to a lower carbon economy? Or will the fear of the loss of manufacturing (and jobs) slow enthusiasm and the ability to live up to commitments? What does the crisis mean for European policies on greening the economy? How to balance the immediate pressures of job creation with the longer term necessity of fighting global warming?  What will be the impact of low carbon prices? Will the 2020 objectives and policies relating to climate change limit the EU’s ability to stimulate a business come-back? In particular what impact for the construction, cement, chemical and tourism industries?

Holger Hartmann, CEO, BadenSolar, Germany
Mihela Hladin, Founder, Greennovate, Slovenia and MAGIC, Made Green In China, Shanghai
Dennis Pamlin,  Senior Associate, CASS (Chinese Academy of Social Science); Global Policy Advisor, WWF
Mark Scott, Reporter, BusinessWeek, UK

Moderated by:
Gert Van Mol, The Wall Street Journal Europe, Belgium
 

Panel discussion —

When the going gets tough, how do entrepreneurs get going?
How are European entrepreneurs coping with the financial crisis? What has the crisis meant for the venture capital market in Europe? Will historical tendencies toward risk aversion be reinforced? What steps do entrepreneurs need to take to survive in tough financial times?

Albert Colomer, Tesorero-Esban Fundación Privada, Spain
Jordi Fabregat, Associate Professor of the Department of Financial Management and Control, Programme Director, Executive Master in Economic-Financial Management, ESADE, Spain
Feargal Mac Conuladh, Director of Technology and Business Development, La Salle Innovation and Technology Park, Spain
Pedro Nueno, Professor of Entrepreneurship, IESE, Barcelona, Spain

Moderated by:
Liz Padmore, Independent Consultant, Board Director and Associate Fellow, Oxford Business School, United Kingdom 

Keynote and Prize Ceremony

Business success in difficult times:
Minimizing risks and maximizing rewards
An interactive keynote debate on the risks and rewards of doing business in difficult times, focusing on the right strategies needed to maximize innovation and entrepreneurship to ensure business success in spite of tight credit and a complex economic landscape. The debate will be followed by the prize ceremony for the winners of the "INNOVADORS'09" Prize.

The INNOVADORS Prize rewards companies for setting up a firm in Andorra, or expanding an existing one. Initiated by the Andorran Government in 2006 with the aim of diversifying the Andorran economy and improving the business environment.

Carlos A. Dumois, President, CEDEM, Specialized Consultant in Dueñez Empresaria, Mexico
Claude Jacquemin, President, SUD ANGELS, Montpellier, France

Chaired by:
Lluís Caelles, Anchor, TV3, Spain

Gala dinner – An Evening in Andorra

The Gala dinner is an opportunity for participants to share experiences while enjoying tastes of Andorran cuisine as well as glimpses of its rich culture.

Leveraging tourism: optimizing Europe’s competitive advantage
According to the UN World Tourism Organization, Europe has 10 of the world’s top 20 tourist destinations (calculated by revenue) and accounted for slightly more than 50% of all tourist arrivals in 2008. Tourism is a critical revenue generator for the European economy and has been particularly badly hit by the financial crisis.  How will Europe retain a leadership position in the tourism global industry? What kind of partnerships are required to ensure that this sector is ready for the recovery? What innovations are needed in product, price and service? What advantage can be taken of the shift to a Green Economy?  

Félix Larrosa, Member of Congress and Socialist Group Spokesperson on Tourism and Trade, Spain
Geoffrey Lipman, Special Advisor to the Secretary General, World Tourism Organization, UNWTO
Raimon Martínez Fraile, Former Secretary General of Tourism and Advisor, AC Hotels Spain

Chaired by:
Gert Van Mol, The Wall Street Journal Europe, Belgium
 

Warming up for the recovery: getting ready for the big changes
How has the crisis changed the game? What major adjustments for business? What major adjustments for the European economies? How can a company emerge stronger and more competitive following the crisis? How can a business best exploit the weaknesses of competitors and/or create new partnerships? What can management do to challenge integral corporate views on key issues such as market assessment, financial strategy and incentive schemes and bonuses? How can managers avoid falling into the trap of relying on past experiences and the belief that things will get back on track without major corporate adjustments?

Francisco Belil, CEO, Siemens S.A. Headquarter, Spain
Emiliano Duch, President and Founder, Competitiveness, Spain
Claude Smadja, President, Smadja & Associates, Switzerland
Ramon Térmens, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Electrodomésticos Taurus SL Andorra
Frederic Vallaud, Professor of Family Business, HEC, France

Chaired by:
Liz Padmore, Independent Consultant, Board Director and Associate Fellow, Oxford Business School, United Kingdom
 

Europe’s banking and financial system: putting the house in order
What will be impact of a new regulatory framework on financial markets? What decisions have been taken on tax havens, hedge fund regulation, caps for managers and the European call for a “charter of sustainable economic activity” to regulate all financial markets activities including credit rating agencies? What impact will a reinforced IMF have in stabilizing markets?

Santiago Carbó, Santiago Carbó, Professor of Economics, University of Granada, Consultant, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago & Head, Financial Studies, Spanish Savings Banks’ Foundation, FUNCAS, Spain
Wolfgang Munchau, Associate Editor, Financial Times
Armand Pujal, Directeur Général, Direction Générale des Activités Fiduciaires et de Place, Banque de France

Chaired by:
Claude Smadja, President, Smadja & Associates, Switzerland
 

Closing Keynote and Lunch

Toward economic recovery:
Expanding regional clusters of growth in Europe
 
José Montilla, President, Generalitat Catalunya

Chaired by:
José Antich, Director, La Vanguardia
 

Farewell
Closing remarks

Pere López. Minister of Economy and Finance, Andorra

Chaired by:
Claude Smadja, President, Smadja & Associates, Switzerland