Greater Caspian Region Forum 2023 in Lugano and Zurich

JCC’s annual flagship conference “The Greater Caspian Region – A Corridor for Energy, Logistics and Trade Flows between Asia and Europe,” took place in two editions this year — Lugano on October 10 and Zurich on October 12, 2023. The conference in Lugano was organized in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ticino (CC-Ti) and the Greater Caspian Association and took place at the Villa Sassa. In Zurich, the conference also in partnership with the Greater Caspian Association, was held at Credit Suisse Forum St. Peter.

The conference focused on the following topics:
The Greater Caspian Region as a source of traditional and renewable energy, multi-modal logistical linkages and trade flows between Europe and Asia;
The Trans-Caspian Trade and Transit Corridor (TCIT) as a route for transporting cargo and energy;
A geopolitical analysis of BRICs enlargement and its effect on the Greater Caspian Region;
The impact of sanctions on the Trans-Caspian Corridor as routes for energy and trade;
The potential for significant development in the next few years and business opportunities for Swiss companies.

The program included both presentations and panel discussions as follows:
The Greater Caspian Region and BRICs Enlargement: A Geopolitical Analysis of Recent Developments
Philippe Welti, Ambassador, Federal Apartment for Foreign Affairs FDFA
Update on Energy, Logistics and Trade Flows in the Greater Caspian Region in 2023
Murat Seitnepesov, President, Greater Caspian Region Association; Chairman, Integral Group
Impact of Sanctions on the Trans-Caspian Corridor as a Route for Energy and Trade
Ambassador Matthew Bryza, Former White House and Senior State Department Official for Europe and Eurasia; CEO, Lamor Turkey
How to Develop the Trans-Caspian Corridors More Rapidly and Efficiently?
Leila Batyrbekova, Founder and Secretary General, Europe and Central Asia Transport and Trade Association ECATA
The Greater Caspian Region: Prospects for Investment
Ravshan Adilov, Partner, Centil Law

The panel discussion in Zurich was moderated by Cornelia Meyer, Chairman & CEO, MRL Corporation and included the panelists and company representatives.
Philippe Welti, President, Swiss-Iranian Chamber of Commerce
Murat Seitnepesov, President, Greater Caspian Region Association; Chairman, Integral Group
Ambassador Matthew Bryza, Former White House and Senior State Department Official for Europe and Eurasia; CEO, Lamor Turkey
Leila Batyrbekova, Founder and Secretary General, Europe and Central Asia Transport and Trade Association ECATA
Ravshan Adilov, Partner, Centil Law
Stephane Graber, Director General, International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA)
Mihnea Marinescu, Sales Eurasia Region, Burckhardt Compression

The event ended with an enjoyable and productive networking reception.