The 2nd AmChams Regional Economic Summit (ARES) welcomed more than 150 high level business-, NGO-, and political representatives in on June 12–13, 2025, as well as organizing 120 b2b meetings. The conference was held under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and it continued the momentum of the highly successful inaugural AmChams Eurasian Economic Summit (AEES) hosted in 2024 in Istanbul. The venue was the Divani Apollon & Thalasso Hotel, Athens, Greece.
As a main outcome of the 2nd ARES is the decision that 3rd ARES will be hosted by AmCham Bulgaria, taking the baton from Athens’25, and Istanbul’24.
AmCham North Macedonia was proud to contribute to two of the Summit’s most dynamic sessions — on Digital Transformation & AI and Regional Infrastructure Development — reflecting our commitment to practical regional cooperation and cross-border integration.
A special thank you to RapidBild, EPC contractor for the Greece–North Macedonia Gas Interconnector, for supporting the Summit, as well as to our speakers.
In the Regional Infrastructure panel, Toni Karanfilovski, Owner and CEO of Rapid Build, highlighted the importance of enabling frameworks and trusted partnerships, emphasizing that local companies are ready to lead cross-border infrastructure development when supported by harmonized standards and smart regional cooperation.
In the Digital Transformation & AI panel, Damjan Manchevski, GM Balkans at MAK-SYSTEM , emphasized the need for standardized approaches to AI in healthcare, underlining that artificial intelligence is a powerful tool that must be applied responsibly. He also called for overcoming data sovereignty barriers, especially in healthcare, noting that no data is useful if limited by borders.
We are proud of the contributions made by our delegation and grateful to all partners who continue to support a more connected, competitive, and integrated region.
Regional Summit Overview
The 2nd ARES Opening Session offered genuine messages of the importance and purpose of events such as 2nd ARES.
Elias Spirtounias, Executive Director, American – Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, addressed the audience on behalf of the hosting country / chamber: “We are proud to bridge local talent with global markets, connecting CEOs and thought leaders to drive growth. No country can tackle today’s challenges alone — we need strong partnerships to turn strategy into action.”
It also, included messages from the two of the presidents of the co-organizing AmChams.
Nikolaos Bakatselos, President, American – Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, emphasized on the expectations businesses face in challenging time: “What we are truly talking about is trust – about forging partnerships that endure. About building Southeast Europe and Caucasus that is not only competitive, but cooperative, confident, and connected.
To the businesses here — dare to reach borders.
To the policymakers — dare to think regionally.
To the young voices — dare to imagine what we’ve not yet built.”
Emre Karter, Chair, AmCham Türkiye, put down the importance of cooperation, thus making a bridge with the messages from Istanbul last year: “It’s encouraging to see the AmChams Regional Summit grow in both reach and impact. Our strength lies in collaboration – AmChams are more effective when they work together. Our region is not only of geostrategic important, but also economically dynamic, offering significant investment opportunities.”
Dimitris Skalkos, Secretary General for International Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Chairman, Enterprise Greece SA, made an official address: “In response to the new tariff policy introduced by President Trump, there is no room for complacency. A common EU stance is essential, as we assess the potential impact. Strengthening our collaboration and promoting institutional reforms are key priorities. We believe that reaching a conclusion is both desirable and feasible.”
Summit Highlights
- The Energy Security and Green Transition session highlighted the urgent need for collaborative approaches to meet both climate and energy goals. Experts emphasized that energy challenges transcend national borders, affecting ports, grids, capital flows, and workforce development. The session focused on practical, replicable solutions that neighboring countries can adopt to accelerate the shift to cleaner, more affordable, and reliable energy. Notable speakers included Nikos Stamou, Enterprise Greece, Mirza Ustamujic, Energoinvest, Apostolos Mourgos, TEXAN SA, and Harris Damaskos, EBRD. The panel was moderated by Asli Özelli, Executive Director, AmCham Türkiye.
- Overview of Regional Investment Opportunities – EU Countries, explored the strategic advantages of investing in Southeast Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the wider Eurasian region. With strong institutional support, resilient economies, and skilled talent, the region presents a compelling case for investors aiming to tap into European, Middle Eastern, and Asian markets. Speakers underscored the importance of regional synergies and emphasized collaborative potential beyond individual country strengths. Contributions came from Marinos Giannopoulos, CEO of Enterprise Greece; Mila Nenova, Executive Director of the InvestBulgaria Agency; and Lia Riris, Deputy CEO of Invest Cyprus. Introductory remarks were delivered by Leonid Sidorenko from the Black Sea Trade & Development Bank. The session was moderated by Elias Spirtounias, Executive Director of the American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce.
- The second part of the regional opportunities plenary was dedicated to the business opportunities of the participating Non-EU Countries, including Radoš Gazdić, Director, Development Agency, Serbia, Artur Fedotenko, Senior Expert, Investment Advisory Department, UkraineInvest, Natalia Bejan, Director, Invest Moldova, Dilshod Jurazoda, Director, State Investment Promotion Agency Tajinvest, Uluk Kydyrbaev, Head of Secretariat, Investment Council, Kyrgyz Republic, which was moderated by Alexandru Gozun, President, AmCham Moldova.
- The Regional Economic Outlook – Growth, Inflation, and Stability session addressed the macroeconomic trends shaping Southeast Europe and the Caucasus. The discussion showcased real-world projects driving regional growth in areas such as digital banking, green logistics, and strategic advisory, underlining how localized success can have a broader impact on cross-border economic development. The panel explored how deeper cooperation – through shared infrastructure, policy alignment, and innovation – can unlock new potential for the region. Focus was also given to inclusive and sustainable strategies, including fintech-driven solutions, demographic planning, and green investment initiatives that aim to foster long-term, environmentally responsible growth. Speakers included Gabriela Cristina Nistor, CEO of Salt Bank; Tigran Jrbashyan, Partner and Director of Management Advisory at Ameria Management Advisory; and John D. Saracakis, Chairman of the Saracakis Group of Companies and VP, American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce. The session was jointly moderated by Letitia Pupazeanu, Executive Director of AmCham Romania, and Anna Nersesyants, Executive Director of AmCham Armenia.
- Digital Transformation, Innovation, and the AI Revolution kicked off with the quotation of the Greek philosopher Heraclitus that “the only constant in life is change.” Today, this change is exponential. We are witnessing a convergence of breakthroughs – machine learning, automation, cloud, and generative AI – that are redefining sectors from healthcare to finance, governance to education. But transformation is not merely digital – it is strategic, ethical, and deeply human
Thus, Ivan Mihaylov, CEO, AmCham Bulgaira, took the conversation with Murat Harputlu, SEE International Director, UiPath, Damjan Manchevski, Director of Strategic Accounts & GM for Balkans, MakSystem, Diana Gligorijevic, Co-Owner and CMO, TeleGroup, and Marianna Nathanail, Head, Office in Greece, European Investment Bank Group, and had a key note by Bekir Polat, Vice President at Investment Office of the Presidency of Türkiye, who participated in the discussion too.
- Regional Infrastructure was discussed in a fire-side chat between Toni Karanfilovski, Manager, Rapid Bild and Jelena Arsovska, Executive Director, AmCham North Macedonia.
- The keynote speech “To Win With AI, Leaders Must Put Humans First” was delivered by Fahed Bizzari, Managing Partner, Bellamy Alden AI Consulting. He challenged the common “AI First” mindset, warning that it risks devaluing human capital by placing technology above talent. True transformation, he argued, happens with people, not despite them.
- Leadership for the FuturePlenary explored how leadership is evolving in a time marked by global challenges, geopolitical uncertainty, and rapid technological change—particularly with the rise of AI. Panelists discussed the need for adaptive, people-centered leadership that can guide organizations through structural shifts in the regional and global business landscape. Speakers included Manolis Sigalas, Hill International, Tankut Turnaoglu, TTC, Giorgi Tsikolia, Lineate, and Sevda Özsönmez, N2Growth, and the audience enjoyed the moderation by Dr. George Welton, Executive Director, AmCham Georgia.
Conference Sponsors
- Diamond Sponsor – Google Cloud
- Gold Sponsors – Enterprise Greece, Hill International, and Turkish Airlines;
- Silver Sponsors – Athens International Airport, Black Sead Trade & Development Bank, Coca-Cola Tria Epsilon, Rapid Build, Saracakis Group of Companies, Texan,
Summit Objectives
This year, the summit expands its scope, welcoming participation from an even broader coalition of American Chambers of Commerce, including Armenia, Cyprus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
ARES 2025 aims to:
- Promote regional trade and investment by connecting businesses with targeted opportunities
- Foster policy dialogue among stakeholders to advance regional cooperation frameworks
- Enable high-impact B2B matchmaking to support business development across borders
The Summit also serves as a vital meeting ground for government officials, business leaders, diplomats, and international organizations to share insights into and shape future economic priorities in the region.
