"Danube business talks" conference in Vienna

Danube: The Stream of energy was the motto of this year's "Danube Business Talks conference, held in Vienna on October 10 and 11. More than 200 participants from the Danube Region gathered at the conference, whose main topics were the development of passenger and cargo traffic on Danube.

None of us can answer the challenges of the Danube Region alone. The successful promotion and development of an efficient, sustainable European transport network is only possible through joint cooperation and international efforts, Austrian Federal Minister of Transport, Innovation and Technology, Norbert ofer, said in his introductory address. He emphasized that the advantages of inland waterway transport are multiple. First of all, inland waterway transport represents an efficient, safe and environmentally acceptable way of transport. Hofer emphasized that Danube is a passenger corridor, flowing through 10 countries, a source of energy and a keeper of cultural and historical treasures. He added that the solution for the improvement of the Danube navigation is an integrated approach, careful planning, involvement of all stakeholders, custom orientation, and environmental protection.

Desire Oen, EU Coordinator for the Rhine-Danube Corridor, said that Danube is a priority for Europe, since it is an exceptional tourist magnet that attracted more than 1.3 million passengers in 2017. According to Oen, the Danube's potential for the development of auto. agricultural and chemical industries is high. She stated that the goal of the European Union is a sustainable, modern transport network and invited all relevant stakeholders to work on an efficient and intermodal Danube.

Participants of the conference agreed that the cargo transport is facing two challenges - improvement of navigation conditions and facilitation of administrative barriers. During the meeting, business talks were organized to discuss new sources of energy such as biomass, as well as common solutions for simplifying and overcoming mentioned challenges.

Passenger shipping sector was introduced for the first time at "Danube Business Talks". During the panel dedicated to this sector, the participants gathered about the latest trends in the cruising industry. Representatives of cruising companies pointed out that passenger traffic is booming and that the demands of tourists are significantly higher. Stay unique, create an optimal and original offer, were some of the advices that could be heard at a session dedicated to cruising.

"Joint cooperation and responsible activities are the key to economic prosperity of the Danube region," was one of the conclusion of the conference.