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BIRE 2002: OVERVIEW

The Balkans Infrastructure Rebuild Exhibition (BIRE) 2002
Incorporating the Networks & Telecoms Pavilion
4-7 June, 2002

Federal Republic of Yugoslavia - Belgrade Fair

BIRE 2002 will be the tenth infrastructure rebuild exhibition organised by ITE in the last five years. The event has continuously grown in size and stature to become the leading international exhibition for the region, with many major multi-national companies using BIRE to target and maximise potential business benefits within the Former Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY). Some of the largest interested and active parties in the FRY include Telecom Italy, OTE (Greece), Ericsson, Siemens, and Deutsche Telecom.

Notable supporters of this year's event include the Yugoslav Government represented by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister for Foreign Economic Relations and the Minister for Telecommunications and Traffic, plus the President of the Yugoslav Chamber of Commerce, and representatives from the Stability Pact and G17. The Government has taken an active role in supporting our event, since the first exhibition drew over 250 companies to invest in the rebuild of Yugoslavia, even before a World Donor Conference took place.

The World Donor Conferences have raised in excess of US$ 1.3 Billion for 2001 and aims to raise over US$ 4 Billion over the next two years. Investment by the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction, the European Investment Bank and the IMF is demonstrating to international corporate companies that the FRY is not only open for business, but offers substantial business rewards. The involvement of these recognised financial institutions at BIRE 2002 makes this event an ideal place to re-establish links in the FRY.


Networks & Telecoms Pavilion

During the war, the telecom industry was nearly paralysed in some parts of the country, with many building of vital technical importance destroyed. As a result, current access to fixed or mobile networks is poor. However, the Balkan Governments do understand that success in this modern era depends on the ability for domestic companies to communicate globally. IT and telecommunications infrastructure is the medium to offer this solution.

The Balkans in general represent some of the fastest growing and least penetrated IT and telecoms markets in the world today. Telecoms Serbia, the national fixed line operator in Serbia, estimates the cost of restoring and modernising all damaged telecoms facilities at almost US$ 2 Billion, offering foreign investors a prime opportunity to exploit a profitable market. BIRE 2002 will offer the forum for companies to discuss involvement in these projects with Yugoslav officials and members of the world's financial institutions.