(ANSA) - TRIESTE, 28 FEB - "Soft connectivity" and deepening economic integration between the six countries in the Western Balkans dominated the agenda of the third Western Balkans Investment Summit, hold by European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, a Bers statement said. Investment in transport and energy systems, as a driver of growth and jobs creation have been a priority ever since the leaders of the WB6 countries first met at the EBRD in 2014.

The panellists agreed that a key element of the "soft connectivity" is creating a single investment space, which includes harmonizing legislation, removing trade barriers, improving the links of capital markets, and strengthening the business climate in the region. In practice this would translate into a unique Regional Economic Area, the ambitious idea which was endorsed by the regional leaders last year at the WB6 summit in Trieste and is now taking shape. EBRD Managing Director for Economics, Policy and Governance Economist Mattia Romani argued that "investors want to come to the markets that have size. A single economic space in the Western Balkans means bigger economic space, higher productivity, more opportunities, and more jobs".

The first concrete project towards digital integration is the establishment of the Regional Investment Platform, launched officially during the summit. The online tool, which was developed by the regional chamber of commerce, the Chamber Investment Forum with support from the EBRD, will provide a one-stop shop for foreign investors interested in the Western Balkans. (ANSA).