JAPAN
Contributing – Quietly, But Steadily
– To Improving People’s Lives
This year is an important milestone for the Japanese Business Alliance in Serbia, marking our fifth anniversary and, more importantly, 140 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and Serbia. We have ambitious plans for the coming period.
OLIVER LEPORI, JBAS Executive Director
T
he state of Japanese business in Serbia is stable thanks to the dedication of each of our member companies, which represents a sure footing for continuing the activities of JBAS, says JBAS Executive Director Oliver Lepori. 2021 proved to be a year filled with events and activities in every way. “Last year was rather intensive for JBAS. We had many activities that were predominantly orientated towards supporting our members, but also further strengthening relations between Serbian and Japanese institutions, and the many Japanese expatriates working in Serbia and the region,” says Lepori. Undoubtedly, adds our interlocutor, we will remember 2021 for the Tokyo Olympics and the nine medals won by Serbia. “Related to this event, our local victory was the opening of Sakura Park on the Sava riverbank, together with the Olympic Committee of Serbia, the Embassy of Japan and the City of Belgrade. We built it to honour the eternal friendship between Serbia and Japan,” says the JBAS Executive Director. “With Japanese cheery trees planted to form the shape of the Olympic rings, we are particularly glad that this park is also a pleasant place for sport, meetings and leisure, for all citizens of Belgrade and Serbia to enjoy”. Recognised as one of the driving forces of the Serbian economy, JBAS participated in many business events in 2021, but also shared its vision at the prestigious Kopaonik Business Forum and World in 2022 conferences. This association also organised a lot of online and face-to-face activities and gatherings for members to address current business-related issues and trends, adds Lepori. JBAS and the Development Agency of Serbia (RAS) have signed a memorandum of understanding with the goal of efficiently coordinating activities aimed at further supporting the improvement of economic cooperation between Japan and Serbia. What are your main expectations of this collaboration?
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