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.

Stimulating the Economy of Southeast Europe

Setting the Stage for Stability and Progress in Southeast Europe
The Scenario for EU Accession by Southeast European Countries
Infrastructure Finance, Accession, and Related Policy Issues in Southeast Europe
Making It Easier to Do Business in Southeast Europe
Financial Regulation for Stability and Protection in Southeast Europe
Financial Sector Development in Southeast Europe - The Roles of EU Accession and Basel II
Implementing European Standards of Banking Regulation in Georgia
Issues Concerning Foreign Banks' Operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Role of Foreign Banks in SEE
The Impact of Basel II on Banking in Albania and Southeast Europe
Financial Stability in Southeast Europe - Basel II and the Challenges Ahead
Bankers' Perspectives - Dynamic Banking in the Changing Market of Southeast Europe
Bankers' Perspectives - Dynamic Banking in a Changing Market
Evolution of the Banking Sector in Southeast Europe - The Role and Business Strategies of Domestic Banks
Financing Small and Medium-Sized Companies
The Business Strategies of Domestic Banks in the Long Run - SME Lending as an Attractive Market Segment
Building a Market Niche Also Builds a Market - Opportunity Bank in Montenegro
Clients' Perspectives on Access to Financial Services for Micro and Small Enterprise in Southeast Europe
Clients' Perspectives - Providing More Effective Financial Services for Micro and Small Enterprises
Access to Finance: Issues and Opportunities in Southeast Europe
Nonfinancial Obstacles to SME Financing in Serbia
Constraints to Business Development in Bulgaria and the Case for Action
Degrees of Competition in Serving Target Groups - They May Be Closer than You Think
A New Approach to Business Development Services in Southeast Europe
Looking Ahead - Public-Private Partnerships in the Financial Sector in Southeast Europe
Public-Private Partnerships for Financial Development in Southeast Europe
Replicable and Transparent PPP Models for Financial Sector Development
Using PPPs to Facilitate Transactions in Financial Markets
Sustainable Microfinance Banks - IMI as a Public-Private Partnership in Practice
Opportunities for Public-Private Partnerships in Financial Sector Development
Public-Private Partnership - Results in the Banking Sector in Southeast Europe
Microfinance Investment Funds - An Innovative Form of PPP to Foster the Commercialisation of Microfinance
Summary and Conclusions
An Overview of Banking, Financial Regulation, and Access to Financial Services in Southeast Europe in the Context of EU Enlargement.