EURACTIV Slovakia, in cooperation with Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Bratislava, cordially invite you to an online discussion titled V4 Automotive Industry - Getting Ready for a Zero-Emission Future, which will be held on 8 November 2023 from 10:00 to 11:30. Discussion will be held via Zoom in English only.
About the event
Transition to a carbon-neutral economy presents Visegrad countries with various challenges, due to their strong industrial base and reliance on fossil-fuel energy. Several industrial sectors will have to undergo substantive transformation, not least the automotive industry, which plays an essential role in the regional economies.
The automotive industry in Visegrad countries is dominated by foreign investments, with governments often competing to attract new investors and production lines. While the green transformation of automotive production presents some risks, reconfiguring supply chains (due to decarbonisation, re- or nearshoring and new players on the market) opens new opportunities for investments and jobs.
The objective of the seminar is to discuss the impact of the green transformation on the automotive sector in Visegrad countries (Fit for 55 package, future green plans), and public policies that could minimize the risks and help to utilize the opportunities of the industrial transformation and potential for regional cooperation.
Topics for discussion
- Expected impacts of the Fit for 55 package on the automotive industry in Visegrad countries, to what extent is the sector prepared for the transformation?
- How could governments / public institutions in V4 support the industry in the transformation, minimizing the risks (loss of jobs, investments), and utilizing opportunities (new investments in areas such as batteries, charging infrastructure, etc.)?
- Role of non-European automotive companies (Asian, US carmakers): are they competitors or potential investors for V4?
- Are there any synergies between V4 countries and areas of cooperation that would support the automotive sector?
Opening remarks
- Maciej Ruczaj, Ambassador of Poland to Slovakia
Panelists
- Zdenek Čech, Head of Economic Analyses Section, Representation of the European Commission in Slovakia
- Patrik Križanský, Director at SEVA, Vice President at AVERE - The European Association for Electromobility
- Soňa Muzikářová, Political Economist and Consultant on the Future of Slovak Automotive Industry for Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE)
- Jitka Švejcarová, Head of Departmnet of the Industrial Branches I, Department of Sectoral Expertise and Industrial Policy, Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic
- Szymon Byliński, Director, Electromobility and Hydrogen Economy Department, Ministry of Climate, Poland
- Małgorzata Wojtala, HV Batery Expert, PhD Oxford University, ElectroMobility Poland
- Zoltán Vígh, Executive director, JAK Hungarian E-Mobility Cluster
- Endre Bali, Representative of the Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association, Hydrogen Cluster manager of The Association of Hungarian Automotive Suppliers, Business Development Manager, Oxyma Systems Ltd.
The discussion will be moderated by Radovan Geist, publisher, EURACTIV Slovakia.
If you wish to attend this event, please register here.
