High-level event in Brussels: Specialized conference on bio-based industries

Representatives of the bio‐based industries (wood and food processing industry, forestry and agriculture) from the SEE region will travel on Tuesday, July 11th in Brussels, the headquarters of the European administration. Two‐day programme will include conferences and expert meetings with the European Commission representatives and representatives in whose interest is the bio‐based sector. The program will start at Hotel Thon EU, where special emphasis will be put on investment, innovation, biomass, rural development and the EU funds, as well as on the opportunities for cross‐sectoral cooperation in the food processing industry (AGRO & FOOD) and forestry and wood processing industry (WOOD & FORESTRY). The conference will bring together companies and institutions from forestry, wood processing industry, agriculture and food processing industry from South-East European countries (Croatia, Bosnia&Herzegovina, Serbia, Slovenia) and other EU countries (Belgium, Austria, Italy, Germany, etc.), as well as representatives of EU professional associations, relevant EU institutions, development banks, lobbyist, etc.

The conference is followed by a group thematic session on bio-based industries in the European Parliament, in organization of Marijana Petir (MEP Croatia). Key lectures will be held by High Representatives of DG AGRI, DG GROWTH, DG ENERGY who will present policy making processes and the latest sectoral legislation related with bio-based industry. DG Energy is currently preparing a number of legislations on the future of the RES and biomass, and Giulio Volpi, the Bioenergy Coordinator and one of the main EU authorities in this area, will hold an introductory presentation on this important topic. The conference will also address issues on the biomass sustainability criteria.

The event will be fulfilled with the Mediterranean VIP dinner and business networking in European Parliament on Tuesday, 11 July, with Dalmatian ˝klapa˝ (form of traditional a cappella singing) and Croatian delicacy.