EU Accession - Financial Sector Opportunities and Challenges for Southeast Europe

1. Front Matter

   Pages I-XX

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2. Stimulating the Economy of Southeast Europe

   1. Setting the Stage for Stability and Progress in Southeast Europe

      • Paul Hare

      Pages 7-37

   2. The Scenario for EU Accession by Southeast European Countries

      • Marc Franco

      Pages 39-42

   3. Infrastructure Finance, Accession, and Related Policy Issues in Southeast Europe

      • Ewald Nowotny

      Pages 43-46

   4. Making It Easier to Do Business in Southeast Europe

      • Khaled F. Sherif

      Pages 47-54

3. Financial Regulation for Stability and Protection in Southeast Europe

   1. Financial Sector Development in Southeast Europe — The Roles of EU Accession and Basel II

      • Evan Kraft

      Pages 61-91

   2. Implementing European Standards of Banking Regulation in Georgia

      • Merab Kakulia

      Pages 93-97

   3. Issues Concerning Foreign Banks' Operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina

      • Peter Nicholl

      Pages 99-102

   4. The Role of Foreign Banks in SEE

      • Mihai Bogza

      Pages 103-106

   5. The Impact of Basel II on Banking in Albania and Southeast Europe

      • Eris Sharxhi

      Pages 107-111

   6. Financial Stability in Southeast Europe — Basel II and the Challenges Ahead

      • Christian Fehlker, Arnaud Mehl, Adalbert Winkler

      Pages 113-123

4. Bankers' Perspectives — Dynamic Banking in the Changing Market of Southeast Europe

   1. Bankers' Perspectives — Dynamic Banking in a Changing Market

      • Sylvia Wisniwski

      Pages 131-162

   2. Evolution of the Banking Sector in Southeast Europe — The Role and Business Strategies of Domestic Banks

      • Per Fischer

      Pages 163-167

   3. Financing Small and Medium-Sized Companies

      • Mita Katic

      Pages 169-171

   4. The Business Strategies of Domestic Banks in the Long Run — SME Lending as an Attractive Market Segment

      • Evgeny Gospodinov

      Pages 173-177

   5. Building a Market Niche Also Builds a Market — Opportunity Bank in Montenegro

      • Keith Flintham

      Pages 179-182

5. Clients' Perspectives on Access to Financial Services for Micro and Small Enterprise in Southeast Europe

   1. Clients' Perspectives — Providing More Effective Financial Services for Micro and Small Enterprises

      • Sarah Forster

      Pages 189-211

   2. Access to Finance: Issues and Opportunities in Southeast Europe

      • Albrecht Mulfinger

      Pages 213-217

   3. Nonfinancial Obstacles to SME Financing in Serbia

      • Igor Brkanovic

      Pages 219-226

   4. Constraints to Business Development in Bulgaria and the Case for Action

      • Stefan Kossev

      Pages 227-231

A distinguished international group of central bankers, commercial bankers, entrepreneurs, academic advisors, policymakers, and representatives of development finance organizations and donor agencies, brought together by KfW, examines in this book the future of financial sector development in Southeast Europe. They explore ways to strengthen the banking sector in Southeast Europe, further promote SMEs, and improve access to financial services in the region. Experts and decision-makers assess the opportunities and challenges presented by the EU accession process and Basel II, and offer candid insight into the expanding role of the private sector in developing the financial landscape. The perspectives presented in this book will prompt discussion and intellectual exchange that will serve as a new starting point for further successful cooperative initiatives.

• Bank
• Basel II
• Development Finance
• Finance
• Financial sector development
• Financing
• Funds
• Investment
• PPP
• banking
• central bank
• development
• financial market
• financial markets
• microfinance

• KfW, Frankfurt, Germany

  Ingrid Matthäus-Maier

• Reston, USA

  J.D. Pischke

KfW has been involved in the financial sector development of the current accession countries for almost fifteen years. Since the mid-1990, KfW has been promoting the financial sector and private enterprise of Southeast Europe through its support of, and cooperation with, microfinance and commercial banks and microfinance NGOs.

Policies and ethics