Balkan Summit 2026 opens with a regional investment mandate from the World Bank
Richard Record, the World Bank's Lead Country Economist for the Western Balkans, set the frame: renewed investor interest, and three economies close to the heart of Europe.
The opening plenary of Balkan Summit 2026 met in the Beethoven Hall on Monday 19 October at 09:30, under the title “Positioning Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia as one bankable corridor”.
The keynote, “Regional Investment Mandate”, was given by Richard Record, Western Balkans Lead Country Economist at the World Bank.
Across the Western Balkans, he said, “we are seeing renewed investor interest and a stronger commitment to European integration.” On the three markets in the room, he pointed to what they have in common: “They share several advantages. They have favorable demographics and young populations… all three economies are positioned close to the heart of Europe.”
He described the diaspora as a source of networks, finance and talent. He was equally direct about the risks: slower growth in the EU, geopolitical uncertainty, the reorganisation of supply chains, and artificial intelligence.
That balance set the tone for the two days. The summit's premise is that an investor should not have to visit three capitals to see one region's opportunities, and that the projects on offer have to stand up to scrutiny from the people who would finance them.
Richard Record stayed on stage to moderate the first plenary session, on transport, which we cover in our article on the transport sessions.
Balkan Summit 2026 took place in Prishtina from 18 to 21 October 2026, at the Emerald Hotel.