KATOWICE, Poland -- Completed Wednesday in Katowice Poland, European Economic Congress was the largest business event in Central Europe with about 6000 participants this year according to the local media reports.

The future and role of Poland and Central European countries in the world economy became the key concern in the discussions and panel debates. The number of panels and titles of them displayed a strong signal that Poland and Central European countries can only save themselves by "getting together and going global" as the Polish leader suggested in the Congress.

"Europe is facing a big challenge,"said Varujan Vosganian, Minister of Economy of Romania.

"You have to strike a balance between regulation, for example in the field of environmental protection so as not to forget the issue of competitiveness (...) You have to connect with the issues of research and innovation. The key word for Europe remains 'competitive'. It is important to increase the competitiveness of the European economy and, together with other countries to create a common industrial policy.We reckon that this may be getting stronger on the international market. We need to look for new markets in Africa or in South East Asia. It will be like opening a window and let in fresh air," said Vosganian.

As a matter of fact, the 4th European Economic Congress in 2012 already opened its window to Chinese participants and the 1st China - Europe Economic Cooperation Forum was a good sign for Chinese investors.

This year in Katowice, the 5th European Economic Congress did "let in fresh air" by introducing the African participants to its Forum. From the first congress titled "Go Global! World, Europe, Africa. Time for a new deal", observers could get a clear sign that Central European countries would unite to cope with the economic crisis by going global to do business together with Chinese and Africans.

"This is the first time we are in Poland, we are interested in the technologies in renewable energy. Europe is advanced in this area and we hope we can find some partners here,"said an African delegate identified as Joyce.

Compared with the Western Europe, the Central European countries have more reason to worry how long they can get over the economic crisis and look for ways to boost their economies, to upgrade their infrastructures. But too many regulations and limits from their advanced Western neighbors in some way constrained their economic behaviors.

"We need a broader view. We need to diversify economies. This does not mean that we give up the cooperation in the European structures. But we need to change attitudes and move away from the stereotypes in the perception of Africa", Aleksander Kwasniewski, former President of Poland identified the new scope for the Central European countries.

Considering the particular situation in Poland and Central European, it is high time to search for new ways to integrate into the global economy. The economic slowdown in Europe as a whole has unveiled a new scope for Central European countries and pushed them to figure out a new idea for Europe, rethinking about their role in Europe and the world economy. As a result of these changes, the potential advantages of this region as Central Europe has become more and more recognized by the economic actors in almost all of the world.

Central geographical location, mass agriculture, high-educated human power, stable economic environment, low cost of labor compared with Western Europe and good legal environment, all these are advantages for the potential investors from all over the world.

"More patience", as suggested by the former Polish Deputy Prime Minister Waldemar Pawlak, might be a good piece of advice for the eager investment absorbers now, and the economy in this Central European region is not a long way to see "long-term" economic relations. But one thing has to be remembered that long-term economic relationship must be based on mutual respect and understanding. Actually the attitude should be changed from "Let's help you" to "Let's help each other."

The 5th European Economic Congress came to an end in Katowice Poland on May 15, but its legacy will still go on. Poles will go global with its Central European neighbours.