Talking CEE CMS

In this next episode, our hosts, Cristina Reichmann (Head of Capital Markets, FIS and Structured Finance, CMS Romania) and Ihor Olekhov (Head of Finance, CMS Ukraine), are joined by Stefan Häbich (Managing Director, George Labs, Erste Bank) and Enkelejd Zotaj (CIO, Raiffeisen Bank Aval) to discuss the latest trends and developments in open banking in Central and Eastern Europe. The panel takes a closer look at some of the hot topics in this space, including:FinTech innovation and open banking market evolution across Central and Eastern Europe 
The second Payment Services Directive (PSD II) and its implementation and impact on CEE markets
The interplay between traditional lenders and FinTech companies in light of the creation of new digital banking products 
Cultural change affecting innovation drivers and the adoption of digital banking services in the region
Focusing on Ukraine in light of PSD II implementation and lessons learnt from other Central European markets

This episode of Talking CEE is hosted by Horea Popescu (Head of CEE Corporate/M&A) who is joined by Helen Rodwell (Managing Partner, Prague and Bratislava), Eva Talmacsi (Partner and Co-head of CEE TMT) and Slawomir Czerwinski (Partner, Corporate, Poland) to discuss recent trends in M&A and the outlook for the CEE investment scene. Our panel looks at some of the findings from our Emerging Europe M&A report launched earlier in the year, with particular emphasis on:• The abundance of high-value and high-profile deals in e-commerce• The increase in IPOs and dual-track processes in CEE• Activity in Telecoms and IT, which was the busiest sector on the M&A side in 2020• The buzz in renewables with several transactions forecast to take place in the next few months

In the next episode of Talking CEE, we look at the future of technology, media & telecommunications with a particular focus on topics related to digital transformation in Central and Eastern Europe. Co-hosted by Olga Belyakova (Co-head of CEE TMT at CMS) and Eva Talmacsi (Co-head of CEE TMT at CMS), the panel is joined by Ersida Docaj (Senior Banker, TMT, at EBRD) and Tomasz Marciniak (Managing Partner, Poland, at McKinsey & Company) who discuss the current trends and future opportunities that lay ahead of TMT in CEE. 
Our experts explore the following key topics:
Trends and opportunities shaping the TMT landscape
Accelerating development in the TMT ecosystem triggered by the pandemic
Challenges affecting digital transformation in CEE
New ways of extending digital infrastructure across sectors
Roll-out of 5G
Investment trends and opportunities in the tower, fiber and data centre space as well as in AI
The rise of innovative and disruptive technologies
Recommendations for businesses concerning digital transformation 

Rebound & Remodel: Capital investing and restructuring in CEE in the midst of the global pandemicOur next episode is hosted by Glen Flannery (partner, Restructuring & Insolvency, CMS UK) who is joined by an expert panel consisting of Ana Radnev (Head of Finance, Romania) and our guests Mary Ellen Collins (non-executive director in several companies in CEE), David Lofts (portfolio manager and Head of Trading & Origination, Cheyne Capital) and Raj Apte (Head of Restructuring for the CESA region, EY). The panel share their insights and views on restructuring and investing in CEE in the near future, taking into account the impacts of the global pandemic.In addition to valuable insights drawn from previous experiences in CEE, the panelists address the following key questions:What will happen next, as government support measures are inevitably wound down and withdrawn?
When and how will businesses fix their broken balance sheets?
How equipped is CEE to deal with this?
How should businesses, banks and other stakeholders address the situation?
What is key to a successful turnaround?
What investment opportunities lie ahead in CEE?

Our next episode is hosted by Iain Batty (Partner, Head of CEE Commercial) who is joined by Olga Shenk (Counsel, CMS Ukraine) and Artur Bednarski (Senior Associate, CMS Poland) to discuss the legal issues affecting businesses during the second wave of the global pandemic and beyond, with a particular focus on contractual obligations and liability issues.Our experts address the following key concerns:How has uncertainly caused by the global pandemic been affecting businesses in Central and Eastern Europe?
What are the options for tackling disruption in supply chains?
What happens if your suppliers are in danger of going bankrupt and what options do businesses have when they are no longer able to supply to their customers?
Is force majeure an instrument frequently claimed by businesses in CEE in light of disrupted contractual obligations?
And what happens next, beyond the second wave of the pandemic?

Based on a recent survey canvassing the views of our clients and contacts whose operations span 18 countries across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), our latest thought leadership explores the region’s digital ambitions, as well as the risks, opportunities and regulatory landscape around CEE’s digital future.
Our experts discuss trending topics including:
CEE’s digital infrastructure and business ambition
Data and ethics – what does the future hold for CEE?
Innovation vs regulation – can AI redefine CEE’s economic future?
Technology transforming industries in CEE – what’s next?