The event started with a dinner at Kursalon Hübner, during which Dr Herbert Stepic, CEO of Raiffeisen International and European Banker of the year 2006, gave his view on the opportunities in Central and Eastern Europe on the basis of Raiffeisen International’s own expansion.

The following morning, Raiffeisen and Lazard representatives, led by Patrick Butler, Member of the Board of Raiffeisen Zentralbank, presented their views on the current private equity outlook in the region, including an overview of the current macro environment, debt capital and equity capital markets.

Overall over 60 guests from leading European and global private equity funds attended this event. Martin Schwedler, Member of the Board of Raiffeisen Investment, commented: "The success of this event proves that Raiffeisen Investment has become a natural choice for the private equity industry for complex private equity and LBO transactions in the region".