Tirana, 16.5.2008
SNV called for more attention to rural development in the Balkans at the 3rd Annual Session of the Crans Montana Forum in Tirana. This event is organized each year in different countries and brings together high profile financial institutions, governments and investors from around the world to discuss major challenges, further the understanding of complex developments and exchange experiences and best practices.

Speaking in the session “The Role of International Financial Organisations: the key for Economic Development and Foreign Investment”, SNV Balkans Regional Director, Courtney Bickert brought a different perspective to this forum. “SNV is not a financial institution, nor are we a traditional non-financial institution, nor are we a donor,” Ms. Bickert said. “But we all know that finance is essential for all development, including rural economic development. Therefore, it is essential that financial institutions are engaged in rural economic development. Of course, while finance is critical, it is the effective utilization of available financing that will ultimately ensure development,“ Ms. Bickert stressed. "We believe that through effective partnerships and open participation the challenges to rural financing can be overcome."

After explaining the nature and focus of SNV in the Balkans - agriculture, tourism and forestry with an overarching focus on governance - Ms. Bickert shared with the audience some of the approaches that could overcome the particular challenges to increasing access to capital in rural areas. She stressed the need for financial institutions, governments and stakeholder organizations to work together to ensure the participation of local governments and other relevant stakeholders in the design of large investment projects; increase the awareness of local governments and stakeholder groups about the availability of various financial products and services and increase their capacity to access those products and services; increase the capacity of business owners, managers and local governments to develop sound business proposals; etc.

“SNV is ready to help provide links to appropriate capacity building organisations, lend its own capacity building services, and help implement multi-stakeholder processes for project design, implementation and monitoring, in support of increasing access to and effective utilisation of financing for development,” Ms. Bickert ended her speech.

SNV was in the panel with representatives of the International Monetary Fund for Albania, World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Albanian Minister of Energy, the Albanian Minister of Finance, the Kosovar Minister of Trade and Industry, the deputy governor of the Bank of Albania and Amphora Capital Bulgaria. SNV was also invited to moderate a discussion on tourism development in Albania together with the Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sport during the final session of round table discussions at the Forum on Saturday.