Selga Laizane continues conversation with Lumira Kafkova, Executive
Director of the Planning Department of the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group (WBG) in 2000 during her exchange of experience visit to
Prague, the Czech Republic.
How many participants do you expect in Prague Meeting in
September 2000?
In Hong Kong it was some 18 000 people including personnel. We
assume that in 2000 it will be a lot more. The IMF/WBG Annual Meetings will be held in the
period of September 26 – 28, 2000, but since there will be many events taking place
before and after this period, we expect about 20 000 participants.
How large is financial support from the government?
The Czech Government allotted from the state budget the amount of
CZK 350 mil. (i.e. about USD 10 mil.) and as I have already mentioned before the Czech
National Bank released additional financial resources (about USD 7,5 mil.).
We believe in considerable part of sponsors. For example, Skoda - VW
concern together with Audi have helped us greatly – they are going to lend us
free of charge 270 luxurious limousines and 30 minibuses.
At present there are many negotiations with other institutions and
companies that could participate in form of supply with material, product, etc. as, for
example, companies Ericsson, Philips and others that I would not like to
mention at this stage since our negotiations have only started.
Are you doing any reconstruction of venues especially for the
Meeting?
The Prague Congress Centre that was chosen for this event did not fully
meet all the requirements. Therefore it was necessary to reconstruct the venue and
construct one more adjacent building. These works started in July last year and will be
finished by the middle of May next year. There will be an event taking place in this
congress centre in June 2000 to verify operation of both buildings.
What will be the impact of the Meeting on future development of
Prague and your country?
I think and believe that the impact will be of a great extent. If
we manage to organise the Meeting without problems and according to requirements then we
expect significant grow of interest in the congress and tourism performed in the Czech
Republic (we have already received such signals). We also believe that many foreign
investors will channel a lot of their concern to the Czech Republic.
What is the key to the secret of successful organisation of such
meetings – perfect co-operations between the institutions involved, or whether it is
funding, finances, allotted for the organisation, may be the know-how of the people
involved? What is your opinion?
In may opinion it is a combination of all you mentioned. You need
all of it. Co-operation between institutions can be perfect, you can have a great team of
qualified people with sufficient know-how but if you do not have enough financial
resources – then the event still might not be successful. But it is also true the
other way round…
And what would be your advice to myself and my colleagues, the
organisers of the EBRD Annual Meeting in Riga expecting about 3500 delegation next year?
It is extremely difficult to give you good advice in this case.
However, in my opinion it is very important that you and your team do not let any problem
extinguishes your effort and enthusiasm. Quite the opposite – every single problem
will make you stronger if you try to overcome it together. That is probably the only way
to achieve success. And perhaps one more thing – in some situations you cannot
compromise.
What would you wish to the organisers of the EBRD Annual Meeting
in Riga?
Enough energy, good will and persistence, plentiful co-operation with
institutions in Riga and great support from many sponsors.
I also believe that the public will realise the possibility to
highlight your city and the whole country this way and try to participate in the best way.
We also have to prepare our citizens for the Annual Meetings of the IMF/WBG. I
particularly have on my mind the level of services since especially the way services are
performed – in Central and Eastern European countries – is still not appropriate
and fully sufficient.
