The Forum discussions highlighted a strong consensus that sustainability, competitiveness, resilience, innovation, digitalization, and access to finance are increasingly interconnected. Participants emphasized that sustainability should be viewed not as a compliance obligation, but as a strategic opportunity to strengthen business performance, attract investment, expand exports, and support long-term economic growth.

 

A recurring message across all panels was the need to support companies, particularly SMEs, in adapting to evolving sustainability requirements, including ESG standards, CBAM obligations, sustainability reporting, supply-chain transparency, and carbon footprint management. Participants stressed that meeting these requirements is becoming essential for maintaining access to European and global markets. 

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Speakers highlighted the critical role of digitalization, innovation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and circular economy solutions in strengthening business resilience and competitiveness. Investments in technology, skills, and resource efficiency were widely recognized as key enablers of future growth. 

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Access to sustainable finance emerged as another central priority. Participants emphasized that businesses need not only financing, but also technical assistance, advisory support, and stronger internal capacities to prepare and implement sustainability-related investments. 

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The discussions also underscored the importance of predictable regulatory frameworks, effective institutions, and stronger public-private cooperation. Business chambers were identified as key partners in supporting companies through training, advisory services, networking, advocacy, and capacity development. 

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Across all sessions, participants agreed that successful green and digital transitions will require closer collaboration among government institutions, businesses, financial institutions, academia, chambers of commerce, and development partners. Sustainability and competitiveness were consistently presented as mutually reinforcing objectives that should be pursued together to strengthen economic resilience, investment attractiveness, and integration into European and global value chains.