Press Release

Successful CITHA Conference in Cooperation with SAEI in Bratislava

October, 21^st 2025

Bratislava/Brussels – The annual conference of the Confederation of International Trading Houses Associations (CITHA), held in cooperation with the Slovak Association of Exporters and Importers (SAEI), took place on 10 October 2025 in Bratislava – was a great success.

The event impressed with its excellent organization, inspiring topics, and insightful discussions on key issues shaping Europe’s trade landscape, including the EU Economic Security Strategy, the development of critical raw materials, and the reindustrialisation of the European economy.

Engaging presentations by Balanced HR, PROMA, and Twinzo provided practical perspectives on innovation and growth, while a special online session with Thomas Jürgensen (DG Trade, European Commission) offered valuable insights into EU–US trade relations.

The day concluded with the CITHA Annual General Meeting. The highlight was not only the professional exchange between the member associations and friends of SAEI, but above all the re-election of the CITHA board. In addition to Kaspar Engeli, Handel Schweiz, Switzerland and Antonio Bonet, Club de Exportadores, Spain, Jan Krückemeyer, Germany was re-elected as president and Alexander Hoeckle as secretary general for another term on the board. Later followed by a networking dinner at the historic Zylinder Restaurant, creating an atmosphere of genuine exchange and international collaboration.

Participants from across Europe praised the conference for its professional organization, open dialogue, and meaningful networking opportunities.

About CITHA

The organisation was founded in 1956 as a small group of international trading companies in Scandinavia with the aim of meeting once a year to exchange information on their activities and to represent common interests. In 1971, the so-called “Stockholm Club”, which was soon joined by German and Dutch international companies, was given its statutes and a new name: CITHA was formally constituted as an international umbrella organisation for national trade associations. Today CITHA has member associations of Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. In 2005, by decree of the Ministry of Justice, CITHA became an NGO registered in Brussels and recognised by important international institutions such as the World Bank, IMF, UNCTAD, OECD, WTO and EU Commission.