The representatives of VZMD and investo.tv prepared an exclusive interview with the Head of Division of the OECD Economics Department, Mr. Pierre Beynet, together with a video report about current Slovenian problems, privatization and withdrawal of the Slovenian State and politics from major State-owned companies. Respected international guest attended conference on "Withdrawal of the Slovenian State & politics from major State-owned companies", organized in Ljubljana by Academic Association Lawyer.

At the conference, round table titled "The Government's strategy and foreign examples and recommendations" also took place. At this round table, the President of VZMD and EuroFinuse Board Member, Mr. Kristjan Verbič, M.Sc., within the framework of the efforts for the programsInternational Investors' Network – invest-to.net and invest to Slovenia – investo.si also actively participated.

During the discussion, Mr. Verbič set a question to the Minister of Finance of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr. Janez Šušteršič, Ph.D., to the Head of Division of the OECD Economics Department, Mr. Pierre Beynet, and to the Vice-President of Atlas Economic Research Foundation, Mr. Tom G. Palmer, Ph.D., about possibility of public offering of State-owned shares of most important Slovenian companies and participation of citizens – at least at the first round of intended privatization – maybe with appropriate fiscal stimulation and in the light of the pension reform.

After International Investors' Conference titled "Shareholder Value meets Sustainability", organized by German Shareholders' Association (DSW) and European Federation of Financial Services Users (EuroFinuse) in Wiesbaden, Mr. Kristjan Verbič, M.Sc., the President of VZMD – PanSlovenian Shareholders' Association, actively participated at Euroshareholders General Assembly, EuroFinuse General Assembly and Joint EuroFinuse and Euroshareholders General Assembly that follow conclusions of the Ljubljana declaration. The Declaration, adopted at Septembers' General Assemblies in Ljubljana, has brought and outlined the process of merger (with January the 1^st, 2013) of two European associations, which protect rights and interests of shareholders, investors, and financial services users, comprising 50 national organizations that represent over 4 million individual shareholders and investors. (To view VIDEO REPORT about Ljubljana declaration, click on the left picture)

At this opportunity VZMD in Wiesbaden, for the third time in last five years, among others successfully presented investment opportunities and potential of Southeastern Europe's economy, companies and institutions that are part of International Investors' Network – investo.net and invest to Slovenia – investo.si program. At this opportunity VZMD invites all institutions, companies, and individuals from Slovenia and worldwide to take advantage of this program to expand and realize their interests and business plans.

After notable International Conference on "The future of European Equity Markets", which was organized last week at the Milano Stock Exchange by pan European organization, created to promote the interests of issuing companies – EuropeanIssuers, and association of Italian joint stock companies – Assonime, Mr. Kristjan Verbič, M.Sc., the President of the VZMD – PanSlovenian Shareholders' Association, actively participated at the International Investors' Conference titled "Shareholder Value meets Sustainability". The Conference was organized in Wiesbaden by German Shareholders' Association (DSW) and European Federation of Financial Services Users (EuroFinuse).

Within the framework of the efforts for the programs International Investors' Network – invest-to.net and invest to Slovenia – investo.si, Mr. Verbič met with numerous respected guests and speakers, among others with Manuel Soto Serrano, Vice-president and member of  Board of Santander Bank (headquarters of which the President of VZMD visited last year, when he discussed with the bank's President, Don Emilio Botin), Jeroen Hooijer, European Commission representative – Head of unit for Corporate governance, social responsibility, Sven Giegold, Member of European Parlament, Steven Maijoor, President of ESMA, and numerous representatives, advisors and analysts of companies like Allianz Global Investors, Blackrock, Union Investment, F&C, Railpen Investments, Hostettler, Kramarsch&Partner, BT Pensions Scheme, MN Services, Henkel, K+S, APG. 

This year's Conference included interesting panels and keynote speeches: "What can we further expect from the EU-Commission with regard to Corporate Governance?", "Why we need sustainable corporate management-future viability as a condition of economic success?", "What is sustainability good for? – the companies & investors' view", "Supervising the capital markets in Europe – a progress report", "EuroFinuse Report on ‘The research findings on the real return of private pensions", "Sustainable pay for directors – do we need any limits?", "The Pfizer case – how non sustainable behavior can harm the shareholders?", "How can we turn to a long term sustainable approach in investment? Discussion on the UK Kay review" and "Incentives for a long term approach by new remuneration structures for asset managers".

At this important international conference, VZMD representatives once again successfully presented investment opportunities and potential of Southeastern Europe's economy, companies and institutions that are part of investo.net program. At this opportunity VZMD invite all institutions, companies, and individuals from Slovenia and worldwide to take advantage of this program to expand and realize their interests and business plans.

At the Milano Stock Exchange last week the International Conference on "The future of European Equity Markets" was taking place. It was organized by pan European organization, created to promote the interests of issuing companies – EuropeanIssuers, and association of Italian joint stock companies – Assonime. Mr. Kristjan Verbič, M.Sc., the President of the VZMD – PanSlovenian Shareholders' Association and Board Member of EuroFinuse – European Federation of Financial Services Users, along with the investo.tv film crew actively participated at the conference.

Within the framework of the efforts for the programs invest to Slovenia – investo.si and International Investors' Network – invest-to.net, Mr. Verbič met with numerous respected guests and speakers, among others with Vittorio Grilli, Italian Minister of Economy and Finance, Massimo Tononi, Chairman of Borsa Italiana, Didier Lombard, Chairman of EuropeanIssuers, Emil Paulis, Director of Financial Markets at European Commission, Xavier Rolet, CEO of London Stock Exchange, Laurent Degabriel, Head of Investment and Reporting Division at ESMA, Andrea Beltratti, Chairman of Management Board of Intesa Sanpaolo, and Dominique Senequier, CEO of AXA Private Equity. At this important international conference, VZMD representatives once again successfully presented investment opportunities and potential of Slovenian economy, companies and institutions that are part of investo.si program.

Following numerous successful presentations of Slovenian enterprises and business environment at home and abroad, VZMD is further intensifying its efforts under investo.si program, and is preparing one more presentations for the International Investors´ Conference in Wiesbaden on 4 December.

After a successful and high-profile international investors' conference and exposition "investo Expo" – which was organized within the "investors' Week" by PanSlovenian Shareholders' Association (VZMD) in Ljubljana Cankar Hall (Cankarjev dom) – investo.tv publishes the full clip of the 3^th panel, entitled »Euro and Eurobonds in the Global Context - The Role and Perspective of Banks and Financial Systems«. The panellists were: France Arhar, Ph.D., Director of Slovenian Banking Association, Matjaž Gantar, M.Sc., Chairman of The Board of The KD Group, Keith Miles, President of the British-Slovene Society and respected international economist, Agnes Le Thiec, Director of Capital Markets Policy at CFA Institute, and Jean-Pierre Paelinck, Ph.D., President and Secretary General of World Federation of Investors(WFI).

Similar discussion was also presented on investo.tv after round table »The Future of the Eurozone«, where EU counselor for economic policies, Mrs. Maria João Rodrigues, presented her views and alternatives and provided answers to some of most relevant and pressing issues in the conversation with the EuroFinuse & Eurosharholders Board member and President of VZMD – PanSlovenian Shareholders' Association, Mr. Kristjan Verbič, M.Sc. (click here to watch the whole exclusive interview)

Following numerous successful presentations of Slovenian enterprises and business environment at home and abroad, VZMD keeps to intensify its efforts under investo.si program and is preparing presentations for International Conference on the future of European Stock Markets at the Milan Stock Exchange on the 28th of November, and the International Conference in Wiesbaden on the 4th of December 2013.

EU counselor for economic policies, Mrs. Maria João Rodrigues, has presented her views and alternatives and provided answers to some of most relevant and pressing issues in the conversation with the EuroFinuse & Eurosharholders Board member and President of VZMD – PanSlovenian Shareholders' Association, Mr. Kristjan Verbič, M.Sc. The main focus of the conversation was exclusively placed on investo.tv, and the conversation took place after the »The Future of the Eurozone« round table, which was organized by the Slovenian Association for International Relations (SDMO), Friedrich Ebert foundation (FSE) and Euro-Altantic Council of Slovenia (EASS), and took place in Grand Hotel Union in Ljubljana where VZMD representatives participated to boost the endeavors under the invest to Slovenia – investo.si program and the International Investors' Network – invest-to.net.

Jože Mencinger, professor at the Facultly of Economics, Mitja Gaspari, former Finance minister and (former) Governor of the Bank of Slovenia, Igor Masten, professor at the Facultly of Economics and Damjan Kozamernik, Head of the Analytics and Research Center at the Bank of Slovenia joined the prominent guest in the discussion.

Following numerous successful presentations of Slovenian enterprises and business environment at home and abroad, VZMD is further intensifying its efforts under investo.si program, and is preparing presentations for "European Public Affairs Awards" award granting to be held in Brussels on 14 November, International Conference on the future of European Stock Markets at the Milan Stock Exchange on 28 November, and the International Conference in Wiesbaden on 4 December.

After a successful and high-profile international investors' conference and exposition "investo Expo" – which was organized within the "investors' Week" by PanSlovenian Shareholders' Association (VZMD) in Ljubljana Cankar Hall (Cankarjev dom) – investo.tv publishes the full clip of the 4^th panel, entitled "Barriers to Shareholders Engagement - Report on Cross-border Proxy Voting". The panellists were: Guillaume Prache, Managing Director of EuroFinuse, Susannah Haan, Secretary General of EuropeanIssuers, Christane Hoelz, Director North-Rhine Westfalia of DSW and Henning Wegener Managing Director of AMEC.

EuroFinuse, the European Federation of Financial Services Users, in which PanSlovenian Shareholders` Association - VZMD collaborates as an active member and is represented in the Board of Directors by its President Mr. Kristjan Verbič, M.Sc., welcomes Consultation from the European Commission on Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITS) – Long-Term Investments. They focus their response to the consultation on the part of long-term investments that are crucial for individual shareholders and retail investors, who they represent (for further information click the picture above).

EuroFinuse is shortlisted for the 2012 European Public Affairs Awards. You can support them by casting your vote here!

Yesterday the International Conference on Benefits and Challenges of Public Private Partnerships for improving Energy Efficiency was held at Grand Hotel Union in Ljubljana, organized by International Center for Promotion of Enterprises (ICPE) and international network Knowledge Economy Network (KEN). Exceptional conference was also attended by numerous distinguished guests, among whom were the Vice-president of European Investment Bank (EIB), Anton Rop, M.Sc., President of Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia, prof. Ernest Petrič, Ph.D., representative of European Commission, Stefano Panighetti, representative of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Rainer Stifter, representative of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Karim Dahou, Director general of ICPE, Janez Podobnik, President of KEN, Boris Cizelj, Ph.D., and many other representatives of organizations and institutions from the fields of economy, entrepreneurship and diplomacy.

We Invite you to view exclusive video report of investo.tv, with statements of prominent guests.

After a successful and high-profile international investors' conference and exposition "investo Expo" – which was organized within the "investors' Week" by PanSlovenian Shareholders' Association (VZMD) inLjubljana Cankar Hall (Cankarjev dom) – investo.tv publishes the full clip of the 5^th panel, entitled "Competitiveness of Slovenia as seen from Foreign Direct Investors", prepared by the Public Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Entrepreneurship and Foreign Investments – JAPTI. At the panel – in addition to Igor Plestenjak, CEO of JAPTI, the first one who addressed the participants – Matej Skočir, M.Sc., Head of the Foreign Investment Department at JAPTI, Matija Rojec, Ph.D, professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Peter Stanovnik, Ph.D., from the Institute for Economic Research, and Simon Mastnak, M.Sc.,CEO of Masset Consulting, also took part in the panel.

During the next few days on the websites VZMD.TV and investo.tv, in addition to already published video reports of intense happening at the "investors' Week", also video reports of the remaining panels, which took place at an international investors' conference and "investo Expo" exposition, will be published.

European Federation of Financial Services Users (EuroFinuse) has in cooperation with investo.tv and VZMD.TV, prepared a VIDEO OVERVIEW of intensive events during the world's largest meeting of investors' and shareholders' representatives »Investors' Week«, which was organized by EuroFinuse, Euroshareholders, World Federation of Investors (WFI) and PanSlovenian Shareholders' Association (VZMD) within its investo.si ­- Invest to Slovenia program and International Investors' Network - invest-to.net. 

VIDEO REPORT highlights the EuroFinuse International Conference on Financial Education and the "investo Expo" exposition that took place in Cankar Hall in Ljubljana, where at the closure of these events »Ljubljana declaration«was adopted. The declaration introduces the unification of two European associations, which protect rights and interests of shareholders, investors, and financial services users - Euroshareholders and EuroFinuse, comprising 50 national organizations, which represent over 4 million individual shareholders and investors.

On Wednesday, September the 19^th 2012, »Investors` Week«was officially opened by Mrs. Jella Benner-Heinacher, President of EuroFinuse - the European Federation of Financial Services Users and the host Mr. Kristjan Verbič, M.Sc., President of VZMD. At the opening and gala dinner on evening before the conference, participants were also welcomed by top economic and financial Slovenian authorities, including the Slovenian Minister of Finance Mr. Janez Šušteršič, Ph.D., the President of the Slovenian Constitutional Court Prof. Ernest Petrič, Ph.D., and the President of National Assembly, Mr. Gregor Virant, Ph.D., who not only presented facts about the current economic and political situation in Slovenia but also shared their thoughts on possible future investments in Slovenia.

EuroFinuse' International Conference on Financial Education started on Thursday, September the 20^th, and spread over two action packed days. The conference as well as the exposition "Investo Expo" that ran alongside, attracted a multitude of participants from across Europe and also Cameroon, Russia and Lebanon and brought together European and international experts in Financial Education from industry, policy making and academia.

The conference was structured around five individual content rich panel discussions. The first panel dealt with the crucial question of how to revitalise the EU capital markets through pensions and other reforms. Panellists criticised the apparent lack of transparency, highlighted the importance of the work of non-governmental organisations in this respect, and elaborated on the differences of European national markets that at present undermine the establishment of more cross border funds.

The second panel related directly to the title of EuroFinuse international conference and concerned the rather controversial topic of educating and protecting financial services users. Financial education is an important element in empowering consumers to make the best decisions for their financial circumstances. Although the European Commission supports in general the provision of financial education for EU citizens, little has been done in practical terms. The education level and understanding of financial matters still remain quite low amongst consumers.

The third panel tackled the much argued importance of the Euro and Eurobonds in the global context and in relation to the current financial crisis and focused on the role of banks and financial systems. Panellists as well as members of the audience engaged in a heated debate about the appropriateness of Eurobonds as the right tool for debt solidarity. 

The fourth panel highlighted the barriers to shareholder engagement. At its end, a report on cross-border proxy voting also known as Eurovote, was presented by Christiane Hoelz, managing director of North-Rhine Westphalia of DSW, the German association for private investors. More information on the Eurovote project can be found on the EuroFinuse website http://eurofinuse.org/eurovote2012.

The final panel offered an in-depth view on best practices for cross border investment, presented by JAPTI, the Slovenian public agency for entrepreneurship and foreign investment. Panellists were debating the political and economic obstacles that foreign investors frequently encounter and compared foreign and domestic enterprises.

On Friday, September the 21^st, the International Conference on Financial Education as well as the "Investo Expo" exposition officially closed with a speech given by Mr. Kristjan Verbič, M.Sc., President of VZMD, and Jella Benner-Heinacher, President of EuroFinuse, presenting the ‘Ljubljana Declaration'.

This so called ‘Ljubljana Declaration' foresees the merger of Euroshareholders with EuroFinuse as of January the 1^st 2013, and aims to increase the visibility and activity of EuroFinuse – The European Federation of Financial Services Users.