Organised in Vilnius on 28 November 2013 by the EIB, the Lithuanian Presidency of the EU Council and the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists, the 2nd Eastern Partnership Business Forum brought together key representatives of Europe's business and politics. These included Algirdas Butkevičius, Prime Minister of Lithuania, Štefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy and Karel De Gucht, European Commissioner for Trade, as well as many other high profile speakers and guests.
Strategic issues ranging from further enhancement of trade, foreign direct investment, boosting of SME sector and developing infrastructure for business success were discussed on the eve of the 3rd Eastern Partnership Summit of Heads of State and Government.
"The Eastern Partnership will only prosper if we continue to exercise joint ownership of the initiative. Every alliance needs all sides to make an effort. But the EIB offer is firmly on the table. It is an offer of competitive financing to modernize infrastructures, support growth and jobs, improve the environment and promote deeper integration with the EU economy" said EIB President Werner Hoyer during the opening of the Business Forum.
The EIB more than quadrupled its lending to the Eastern Partnership countries from EUR 230 million in 2007 to EUR 934 million in 2012.
