Switzerland Partners

SWITZERLAND

November 2016

Partners

JOHANN SCHNEIDER-AMMANN, PRESIDENT OF THE SWISS CONFEDERATION: PROMOTING INTERNATIONAL LAW AND COOPERATIVE SECURITY ● H.E. PHILIPPE GUEX, AMBASSADOR OF SWITZERLAND TO SERBIA: DUAL EDUCATION LOWERS YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT ● YANA MIKHAILOVA, PRESIDENT OF THE SWISS-SERBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN SERBIA AND CEO OF NESTLÉ ADRIATIC: ˇ Ó ECONOMIC ATTACHÉ AT THE EMBASSY OF SWITZERLAND IN OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENHANCED COOPERATION ● DRAGICA TOMCIC, Ó SSCC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: BY WORKING TOGETHER BELGRADE: SWISS COMPANIES IN SERBIA VALUE REFORMS ● ANA GRUJOVIC, ˇ WE GROW STRONGER ● DANIJELA CABARKAPA, DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS OF THE SERBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP ● ANA GOVEDARICA, GENERAL MANAGER, ROCHE D.O.O: MEDICINE DESERVES A NEW ERA ● MARINKO UKROPINA, CEO AT SGS BEOGRAD D.O.O.: SYSTEMIC APPROACH – THE BASIS OF ALL STANDARDS ● DRAGAN GAVRILOVIC, Ó GENERAL MANAGER, SIKA D.O.O.: MORE VALUE, LESS IMPACT

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

KEY MESSAGES:

JOHANN SCHNEIDER-AMMANN, PRESIDENT OF THE SWISS CONFEDERATION

Promoting International Law And

COOPERATIVE SECURITY

Switzerland supports the process of the Western Balkan states towards European integration, which has contributed to stability and prosperity in the region. I would like to recall that there is a sizeable diaspora from this region, including from Serbia, living in Switzerland, and this naturally reinforces Switzerland’s interests in and exchanges with the Western Balkans

T

o this end, Switzerland has develthe migration crisis in 2015, allowing us to been key in Serbia’s case is its commitment oped an important cooperation provide swift support to Serbia in accomto improving its macroeconomic figures, modating stranded migrants. programme in the region, which its efforts to undertake a series of structural reforms and adopt new laws that have Switzerland sees great opportunifocuses on five main pillars: 1) Democratisation, decentralisation and local ties in strengthening partnerships with improved its business climate, thereby attracting new foreign investors. In terms of governance; 2) Economic development; countries in this region, particularly in Swiss investment in Serbia, allow me to re3) Vocational training and employment; terms of business cooperation, education, innovation and research. My official mind readers that in 2014 Switzerland was 4) Water and energy supply; 5) Health. In visits to Singapore and South Korea in the single largest bilateral foreign investor addition, Switzerland promotes regional July provided an occasion to present and in Serbia, which shows that Switzerland integration and cooperation between the discuss Switzerland’s dual-track system has the potential to become a leading incountries of the Western Balkans, notably by promoting research or by contribvestor in the country. Also, Swiss exports of vocational and professional education uting to regional structures, such as the increased by 22 per cent in 2015. The estabwith my counterparts, who showed great Regional Cooperation Council instituted under the SouthSwitzerland sees great opportunities in strengthening partnerships east European Cooperation Process. As part of its peace with countries in this region, particularly in terms of business policy in the Western Balkans, cooperation, education, innovation and research Switzerland also encourages reconciliation efforts, notably interest in further developing cooperalishment, back in 2014, of the Swiss-Serby promoting transitional justice and by tion in that area.

Incidentally, I also had bian Chamber of Commerce, comprising supporting political dialogue, and remains the pleasure of discussing this topic with some 60 members, also contributes to our present with the Kosovo Force (KFOR) in Prime Minister Vučić during my last visit vibrant bilateral trade. That said, further Kosovo. Last but not least, Switzerland to Belgrade in October 2015 and at our measures to improve legal certainty and has concluded migration partnerships meeting in Bern in June of this year. simplify the country’s tax system would be with several countries in the region, including Serbia, to help the authorities Stability is key for any country wishing welcome and would certainly help to continue attracting foreign investment.  manage migration flows. This cooperato attract foreign investment, and Serbia tion proved to be extremely useful during

Source: CorD is no exception. What also seems to have

6 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

INTERVIEW

Dual Education Lowers

YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT The Swiss Embassy’s Cooperation Office will soon, after a promising pilot phase, launch a new €7 million programme called “Education to Employment”, the first main phase of which will cover the next four years – says Ambassador Philippe Guex

H.E. PHILIPPE GUEX,

AMBASSADOR OF SWITZERLAND TO SERBIA

A

nnouncing significant assistance, both in terms of expertise and financing, with which Switzerland will help in the reform of the education system in Serbia, the new ambassador of that country, Philippe Guex, warns that success requires more than merely rewriting the experience of successful countries. It should serve as a guideline, while the success of reforms depends on essential agreement between the private sector, the education ministry, vocational schools and parents. They need to precisely define which task belongs to whom in this process, insists Ambassador Guex.

• You are an economist with serious diplomatic experience.

How do you see the region you have come to at a juncture when there is more said about tensions and harsh rhetoric than economic cooperation?

- The regional reconciliation process has its ups and downs. Since this summer, we are clearly living a down again. Politics is still greatly intertwined with the heavy historical heritage of the region. The good news is that regional economic integration is moving ahead, despite harsh rhetoric and tensions. The region has

8 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

REGION

SWITZERLAND

EDUCATION

Recent political tensions remind us that regional political stability cannot be taken for granted

Switzerland lies at the centre of Europe and has always been, and will remain, a hub for people of diverse origins and backgrounds

We are ready to support education reform in Serbia by making our expertise available to all stakeholders

become Serbia’s second largest foreign-trade partner after the EU and, according to the latest trade figures, Serbia has a trade surplus with Croatia for the first time since the war. Through trade and economic ties, a “silent” reconciliation process is taking place. It must be remembered that economic integration was the cornerstone of the reconciliation between France and Germany after World War II and is still at the heart of the forging of the European Union. It is, therefore, worthwhile underlying the initiative taken by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia to promote trade and investment between Serbia and its neighbours, including, more recently, Albania and Kosovo. This indeed provides a substantial contribution to this “silent” reconciliation process. However, recent political tensions remind us that regional political stability cannot be taken for granted. There is still a lot to do ahead of us.

extreme right-wing political options?

- I do not believe that Switzerland’s multiculturalism and respect for differences can be jeopardised by the threat of terrorism – Switzerland lies at the centre of Europe and has always been, and will remain, a hub for people of diverse origins and backgrounds. Of course,

• Serbia and Switzerland are both confronted in various ways by the migrant crisis. Swiss citizens voted in a referendum to give approval to the authorities to step up surveillance and monitoring systems, in an effort to prevent terThe number of Swiss companies in Serbia has been growing continuously and rorist actions. How much has the now exceeds 200. These companies employ close to 10,000 people threat of terrorism in your country changed the way of life and the thinking of citizens? like in the rest of Europe, the menace of terrorism undoubtedly feeds populism and xenophobic movements.

- The new Swiss Law you are referring to is aiming at giving new powers to the police and intelligence services to However, at our latest referendum, held in June 2016, cope with the new challenges resulting from radicalisaSwiss voters backed government plans to provide for tion and religious extremism, primarily with the rationale faster and fairer asylum procedures, despite right-wing of prevention, since the threat of terrorism remains – in and anti-immigration parties opposing the proposed comparative terms – relatively low in Switzerland. This is amendments to Swiss asylum legislation. in part the result of Switzerland having so far been able • Is there justification for the prognosis that signing the to prevent the “ghettoisation” of Muslim minorities. It agreement with the EU that will increase the transparalso reflects Switzerland’s multilingual and multi-confessional structure, as well as a long tradition of immiency of cash flows and strengthen the prevention of tax gration. With one quarter of its population being foreign, evasion will lead to Switzerland possibly losing its status Switzerland actually hosts one of the largest foreign as a financial hub for the world’s richest people? populations in Europe. Migrants are not only contribut- The same question was asked to me already in 1989, ing significantly to both our diverse social fabric and to when I was a young diplomat. The G7 heads of state had our prosperity, but they are also needed when one conjust decided at their summit in France to seriously fight siders our aging demographic structure. against money laundering. As the Swiss government • Could the threat of terrorism jeopardise the multiculturalism and respect for differences that are characteristic of Swiss society, and could it strengthen

Switzerland has a long and strong tradition of political and military neutrality. However, the country finally opted to join the United Nations in 2002, and the Schengen Agreement in 2005

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

| 9

• Serbia is highly dependent on foreign investment. To date, 200 Swiss companies have invested in the Serbian economy. Do you see areas in which this cooperation could be advanced?

- The number of Swiss companies in Serbia has been growing continuously and now exceeds 200. These companies employ close to 10,000 people. This is also reflected in Switzerland having consistently ranked among the top ten foreign investors over the past decade. Swiss investments in Serbia are very diverse, ranging from food production, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, retail, recycling, construction, metallurgy, machinery, ICT, the aerospace industry, transport and logistics, as well as services. There are encouraging prospects for further Swiss investments in Serbia, especially in the software and ICT sectors, as well as in the mechanical and wood processing sectors.

This cooperation could be further advance by providing incentives The Swiss Cooperation Office of the Embassy will, after a promising pilot phase, to the Serbian diaspora in Switzershortly launch a new €7 million programme called “Education to Employment” land, considering that remittances (E2E), the first main phase of which will cover the next four years sent to Serbia last year amounted to 430 million euros, which is 15 per cent of the total amount of remittances decided right from the start to join the efforts of the G7, (2.86 billion euros) that comprise 8.5% of Serbian GDP. most observers then predicted the end of the Swiss fiAt the same time, attracting further investors, including nancial centre. For almost 30 years, Switzerland has been from the diaspora, will require improving businesses’ legal complying with all kinds of new international regulations security, easing their access to finance and ensuring the efficient and transparent implementation of tax legislation. Givpromoting financial disclosure, determined by the EU, ing the judicial authority the means and powers to prosecute OCDE, G8 or G20. As an example, no other financial centre corruption cases more efficiently would clearly improve the in the world has returned as much spoiled assets acquired business climate for foreign investors. Improvements are by corrupt potentates as Switzerland has done in the last also required in the education system. Companies in non IT 20 years (1.8 billion dollars). Despite these new disclosure sectors, for instance in industrial production, certainly face and transparency regulations, Switzerland today remains difficulties when it comes to finding a skilled workforce. inundated by foreign capital in search of safe havens. To stem the appreciation of the Swiss franc, the Swiss Central Bank has since 2014 been imposing negative interest • Some 30 projects supported by the Swiss government rates on banking deposits. are currently being implemented in Serbia and are directed towards the economy, strengthening the system • So you are saying that efforts to prevent tax evasion are of good governance and energy efficiency. Do you intend not having any impact on Switzerland as a financial centre? to also get engaged in other areas?

- No. What I am saying is that the business model of the Swiss - After the European Union and Germany, Switzerland is the financial centre is actually adapting to the new international third bilateral donor in Serbia. The focus my country is giving standards. For some banking or financial firms, this has provto Serbia also has to do with the large Serbian diaspora living en very painful. Some had to close, others had to merge. And in Switzerland, which contributes substantially to its economic prosperity and its multi-ethnic society. this restructuring process will remain a challenge for many Switzerland’s current Cooperation Strategy in Serbia of them in the years to come. But the net inflows of foreign actually focuses (1) on the development of a competitive capital remain high and - even if the margins of profit have decreased - the competitiveness of the Swiss Financial Centre economic and private sector, including by supporting innovation and entrepreneurship; (2) on the strengthening remains world class. And I do not see why this should change. of local governance, as well as (3) on energy efficiency and At the end of the day, it is the quality of the financial service renewable energies. These are areas where Switzerland has provided which makes the difference.

10 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

specific expertise and successful experiences. Next year, a new Cooperation Strategy will be elaborated to revise and align our support to Serbia for the next four years.

As an illustration, we shall continue supporting Serbia in reforming its dual education system, which combines education at school with training on the job in a company. This is meant as a contribution to tackling the high unemployment rate of the youth in Serbia and, by so doing, supporting the Government’s efforts to improve social cohesion and strengthen sustainable economic policies. In general terms, Switzerland’s Cooperation Policies do have positive track records on promoting the social inclusiveness and integration of vulnerable groups.

• There has been a lot of talk in Serbia recently about dual education, with Switzerland, alongside Austria and Germany, mentioned as a country that should serve as a model for the reform of the education system here. The academic community in Serbia has not made it completely clear why this model is now offered as the optimal solution for the large number of unemployed citizens among young people?

- My mother was desperate when I told her at the age of 15 that I did not want to enter dual education, like two-thirds of Swiss pupils, but rather wanted to go to college to get a

baccalaureate. This personal example shows how the dual education system is positively regarded in Switzerland as providing solid and well paid jobs to young people once they get their certificates. And if my country has one of the lowest rates of youth unemployment on the planet, that is mainly due to dual education.

There is no worse policy than a “copy-paste” policy.

Therefore, a model coming from another country (be it Switzerland, Austria or Germany) must remain a source of inspiration only, given that educational institutions and economic realities are different in Serbia.

For this reason, we have given our support to the Regional Development Agency VEEDA from Vranje, which has brought together the main actors of the furniture industry, comprising seven furniture companies from Southwest Serbia (Užice, Ivanjica, Arilje, etc). These companies have together defined customised curricula with the Technical school in Užice and opened their doors for practical training to pupils three days a week. This model has been received with interest by the Ministry of Education. This shows that this model can be a first step for offering a good professional education and job opportunities to young people. A similar initiative was recently launched in the tourism industry by the Zlatibor Regional Development Agency, another of our partners.

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

| 11

fil. Once the pupils complete their education, they have different options: seek a job as skilled employees, start their own business as individual entrepreneurs, or continue with their education at a higher level.

At the same time, we also back high-tech development.

Most recently, the Swiss-supported Science and Technology Park Belgrade has started to cooperate with the Faculty of Mathematics in Belgrade, with a view to matching high education with the private sector’s needs following an innovative approach. Concretely, the Technology Park is working on introducing an entrepreneurial way of thinking in the official curricula of the Faculty.

• Your predecessor insisted on helping young artists in Serbia through a fund established through the embassy. Do you intend to continue being engaged in the field of cultural exPHILIPPE GUEX with former Swiss ambassador JEAN-DANIEL RUCH changes and assistance to talented young people?

In early December, I will organise a Belgrade event of the “Musée du Point de - Contemporary art is nothing Vue” (the Point of View Museum), the only museum in the world which has new to me. In the late 1990s, I was nothing to show, but the opening reception of a non-exhibition the chairman of Fri’Art, a contemporary visual art centre in my home town of Fribourg, SwitzerOur assessment is that the Serbian government is firmly land. Today I still chair an association of artists called willing to reform the education system. Prime Minister Alek“Charlatan”, which promotes interdisciplinary dialogue sandar Vučić and Swiss President Johann Schneider-Amamong creators. mann have exchanged their points of views on the matter on In early December I will organise a Belgrade event of the several occasions, including last June at the International Con“Musée du Point de Vue” (the Point of View Museum), the only gress on Vocational and Professional Education in Winterthur museum in the world which has nothing to show, but the opening reception of a non-exhibition. It forces us to think about (Switzerland). We are ready to support education reform in what art really means today. The opening reception will take Serbia by making our expertise available to all stakeholders. place on the roofs of Belgrade: a point of view from the Sava With this aim, the Swiss Cooperation Office of the Embassy to the Danube and beyond. Moreover, one Belgrade artist will will, after a promising pilot phase, shortly launch a new €7 million programme called “Education to Employment” (E2E), the spend a month at the end of the year in the Swiss capital of first main phase of which will cover the next four years.

Bern via an artist in residence exchange programme.

As such, there is no doubt that I plan to continue promot• What do you think of the warning that insisting on a duing cultural exchanges between Switzerland and Serbia, conal education system in conditions of an underdeveloped sidering that people-to-people exchanges remain the backbone of our bilateral relations. And I shall also endeavour to economy actually only serves to create cheap labour rather than directing young people towards acquiring knowcontinue encouraging talented Serbian artists, especially how in the fields of the future – the IT sector, the sector of in the field of contemporary art. I am convinced that whilst innovation and high technology?

Belgrade is a regional hub, it has the potential to become a - This could indeed happen, which is why special precauEuropean hub. In the last fifteen years, Serbia has gone a tions need to be taken in order to avoid that. Namely, the long way towards becoming a vibrant, modern and dynamic model of private sector responsive education is working society, integrating the European values of freedom and respect for diversity. That’s why I consider investing in contemin cooperation with Serbian companies, local technical porary art as part of Switzerland’s necessary contribution to schools and the Ministry of Education. Before education further invigorating creative forces in Serbia and supporting starts, companies, technical schools and parents agree on the Serbian society as it moves forward. ■ a set of conditions which each of the parties needs to ful-

12 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

CORPORATE

ANA GOVEDARICA, General Manager, Roche d.o.o

Medicine Deserves

A NEW ERA

Roche, as a Swiss company, is one of the most active representatives of Swiss business in Serbia. This leading innovative pharmaceuticals company is one of the founders of the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, a member of INOVIA and the Foreign Investors Council, as well as an active member of the business community in Serbia. In addition, it is an active participant in key economic and sectoral meetings, such as the Economic Summit, Health Summit and Kopaonik Business Forum

“R

oche strives to provide a viswe expect some necessary improvements will Health, Ministry of Finance, industry and busiible contribution to improving ness associations, such as NALED and the Serbe made in this area, in order to appropriately bian Chamber of Commerce. the quality of healthcare by manage the budget for healthcare” - explains Dr “Our key message was that it is necessary making available the most adGovedarica. As a very positive change, our intervanced treatment options. We are committed locutor highlights the recently improved reimto work on improving the management of resources and processes in healthcare. The level bursement list of medicines, which was frozen to working with all key stakeholders involved of spending that directly burdens the users of for several years. Negotiations between pharin improving the health system in Serbia, but maceutical companies and the Health Insurance health services, the so-called “out-of-pocket” also the business environment” - says Ana Govedarica, GM of Roche in Serbia, explaining: “We know that healthcare “We hope that better organisational, managerial and financial aspects is a complex area that requires a of healthcare will create the conditions for a much more efficient and serious and multidisciplinary apsustainable system. To make this happen, cooperation between medical, proach, and for that reason we economic and financial experts is necessary. Only long-term planning try to be present and active in all based on valid data can bring improvement to public health and the places where discussions and dedesired health outcomes” - says Ana Govedarica cisions about health are made.”.

At the recently held Economic Fund on so-called managed entry agreement Summit, Dr Govedarica participated in the segment, is extremely high, reaching around are another novelty per se. This should ensure panel entitled “The road to a sustainable and 40 per cent. In neighbouring countries, as well the predictability of Health Insurance Fund exefficient healthcare system”. According to her, as the reference countries, the share of public penses, on the one side, and access to the latest it is very important that healthcare is reprefunds is much higher, thereby making the portion sented at the most important macroeconomic medicines for patients, on the other. This is very borne by patients considerably lower. Considering that healthcare is among the top priorities events, where all relevant decision-makers are good news primarily for patients, but also for of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, present - representatives of the Ministry of the healthcare system, the results of which are measured by the outcome of health services.

SCIENCE DRIVEN Innovative therapy accounts for 73 per cent of Roche is focused on developing innovative medicines and diagnostic tests that help all factors responsible for the extension of life patients live longer, better lives. We strive to address unmet medical needs through exexpectancy and it is very important that Serbian cellence in science. Our focus is on oncology, immunology, ophthalmology, infectious dishealthcare does not lag behind other European eases and neuroscience, and we combine our strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnoscountries when it comes to the availability of tics to better fit treatments to patients. these therapies. ■

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

| 13

INTERVIEW

Opportunities For

ENHANCED COOPERATION Swiss investors expect the new government to accelerate reforms, reduce bureaucracy and improve the legal framework and law enforcement. In return, the Swiss-Serbian business community is ready to support boosting Serbian export and educational capacities

YANA MIKHAILOVA, PRESIDENT OF

THE SWISS-SERBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN SERBIA AND CEO OF NESTLÉ ADRIATIC

T

here are two major observances that the Swiss Serbian business community has regarding areas which require further action of the Serbian government in order to improve the business environment in Serbia: those are public administration reform and the productivity of the labour force. These improvements will add to the already existing interest of potential Swiss investors in Serbia and expand opportunities for economic cooperation, says Yana Mikhailova, President of the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce in Serbia and CEO of Nestlé Adriatic.

• Trading activities between Switzerland and Serbia have been increasing since 2008. How would you explain this trend?

14 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

- The growth of Swiss-Serbian trading activities has been recorded over the last decade. However, trade between the two countries should be improved further, especially considering last year’s growth in imports from Switzerland. Serbia has great export opportunities in many sectors, such as agriculture and the food industry, wood processing and ICT services. This is why local companies, and especially SMEs, should be provided with adequate export-related knowhow and training, in order to increase their international competitiveness and readiness to export to Switzerland. I believe that the SME sector can contribute to further fostering Swiss-Serbian economic relations – this was the topic of the SSCC’s Conference on SMEs, which was held in October 2016.

• Switzerland invested close to CHF 80 million here last year, which is down somewhat compared to the previous years. What does the information available to your Chamber suggest about interest in Serbia among new Swiss investors?

- There are currently approximately 200 Swiss and Swiss-related companies working in Serbia. Swiss investors are looking for stability and predictability when investing on foreign markets. Serbia’s commitment to further improving the local business environment will help attract more Swiss investors. There have been some new investments in 2016, such as Swiss company PM Technik, which leased a hall for the production of precise mechanical devices in the Svilajnac Industrial Zone. Potential Swiss investors are showing interest in the Serbian market and we receive requests from potential investors for the provision of information about the local business climate.

There are 26 cantons in Switzerland, each of which acts as a state, with its own constitution, legislature, government and courts ticals, ICT, construction, wood processing. Some of the challenges faced by SSCC members are industry specific. However, two major topics re-emerge in most of the discussions, workshops and conferences of the SwissSerbian business community as those which require changes in order to improve the business environment in Serbia: public administration efficiency (which should be addressed through public administration reform) and the productivity of the labour force.

Other common concerns of SSCC members include the transparency and predictability of legislative changes. Sudden changes in legislation without public debate and with a short implementation timeline puts pressure on business processes – businesses need a certain period of time to adjust.

• According to former Swiss Ambassador to Serbia, Jean-Daniel Ruch, Swiss investors are still concerned about confusing regulations and rules, inconsistency in their implementation and legal insecurity. What does the opening of EU Accession Negotiation Chapters 23 and 24 mean for you, as a businesswoman, in • The media have been reporting a lot about certain this context? investors tacitly preventing the formation of trade - The opening of Chapters 23 and 24 is yet another imunions. What is the usual practice of Swiss compaportant accomplishment in negotiations with the EU. nies in Serbia in terms of workers’ rights as guaranteed by Serbian law?

The Serbian economy is strongly connected to the EU – over 60 per cent of exports go to the EU, while EU investors A good example of Swiss assistance is the new programme designed are important contributors to the by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) “From economic growth of Serbia. The Education to Employment, E2E” which will focus on the development of progress in negotiations is imporpublic-private partnerships at the local level and the provision of adult tant for the business community education and training in Serbia, as it reaffirms the government’s commitment to free - Swiss investors operating in Serbia are expected to market economy and EU integration. comply with Serbian legislation. Transparency, comHarmonisation of the national legislation with pliance, quality, integrity – these are the values shared the EU Acquis is an important tool in the negotiation and promoted by the members of the Swiss-Serbian process and has a strong positive impact on the business environment, making it predictable, clear and Chamber of Commerce. more competitive. A clear regulatory framework harmonised with the EU will bring more investors to the • Although Serbia has a high unemployment rate, we often hear that we have a high quality workforce, especountry, including those from Switzerland, and will cially in the IT sector, and that, on the other hand, young support further growth in exports of Serbian products to European countries. people have no practical experience. How important is Opening the next chapters and the continuation this issue for Swiss companies and how have they been of negotiations address, firstly, the issues of outdated involved in the training of the Serbian workforce? regulations and, secondly, support law enforcement and - Serbia has a well-established education system with the implementation of existing regulations, ensuring the over 500 high schools, eight public and nine private universities and advanced programmes in the sciences: ensame rules are applied to all market participants. gineering, IT, physics and mathematics. Good academic education and the availability of skilled labour provide • What else do Chamber members complain about? good prospects for investors to launch business in Ser- The Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce today gathers together 67 member companies, including leading bia and we can witness the acceleration of the development of certain sectors - for example, IT and electronics. multinational companies and SMEs from different industries – food and agriculture, automotive, pharmaceuHowever, businesses don’t only need well-educat-

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

| 15

ed workers, but also a skilled workforce, and the current educational model in Serbia leaves a gap in certain skills.

In order to address the gap in skills, many SSCC members offer in-house training, apprenticeships and internship programmes to train newcomers and graduates.

Switzerland is well known for its dual education system,

ern Balkan countries. However, that growth is not fast enough. In order to maximise economic growth, regional opportunities should be exploited – regional projects, closer integration and the strengthening of economic ties between the countries of the Western Balkans.

Serbia holds a unique position in the European market, with certain advantages from a well-developed frame of free trade agreements, not only within the region – through CEFTA and the EU – but also with Russia, Ukraine and Turkey. Trade agreements are a good foundation for accelerated economic development and export growth, though these special programmes need to develop export to non-EU countries.

• In this context, what do you think are the main factors that contribute to the stability of the overall environment in Serbia and what are the biggest challenges here?

- Investors are seeking macroeconomic and political stability and sustainable development of the economy. The fiscal and macro monetary results achieved by the government in the last period have been positive-

which prepares graduates to enter the workforce, and Swiss instiI believe that the SME sector can contribute to further fostering tutions are currently providing asSwiss-Serbian economic relations – this was the topic of the SSCC’s sistance in developing a similar education system in Serbia.

Conference on SMEs, which was held in October 2016 A good example of Swiss assistance in this area is the new ly assessed by the relevant international stakeholdprogramme designed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) “From Education to ers – the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Employment, E2E”, which will focus on the developBank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Dement of public-private partnerships at the local level velopment (EBRD), and the EU – with the latest reports and the provision of adult education and training. on Serbia showing positive indications of economic One of the objectives of this programme is to develgrowth and a rise in employment. op and implement models of market-orientated inforOne of the major risks for Serbia would be the possimal adult education and training programmes, in close ble slowdown of the EU economy, as Serbian growth is dependent on European investments and export to the EU. cooperation with the private sector and respective ministries. E2E will engage further with the public and pri• What do Swiss investors expect from the new govvate sector in order to jointly bridge identified gaps in ernment? skills, knowledge and the attitude of unemployed youth - The acceleration of reforms, starting with structurin five target municipalities in South and Southwest Serbia. Through the active participation of the private secal reforms, reduced bureaucracy, an improved legal tor and the establishment of tangible local Public-Priframework and law enforcement. vate Partnerships, companies will gain qualified employees suitable to their (sector-based) needs.

• Do you think Brexit can influence the economic situation in Serbia and has it already negatively impacted • How do multinational companies like Nestle view on some Swiss investments in Serbia? the Serbian and Western Balkan markets?

- In the short-term, Brexit is having a negative impact - The Western Balkans, with a good strategic position and on the UK economy. Brexit will impact on the EU economy and Serbia, as we live in an integrated world. It is developing infrastructure, has potential that is well recognised by investors and investments increased in the hard today to evaluate what the long-term global impact of Brexit might be. ■ last two years. Growth has restarted across most West-

16 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

CORPORATE

MARINKO UKROPINA, CEO AT SGS BEOGRAD D.O.O.

Systemic Approach

– THE BASIS OF ALL STANDARDS The international teams of experts of company SGS offer specialised business solutions to customers around the world, with the aim of advancing operations and reducing risks in order to satisfy the demands of an organised market

B

y exceeding the expectations of customers and society as a whole on a daily basis, company SGS has, since its establishment, come a long way to occupy the leading position in Serbia, which it has today in the areas of its operations.

must continue to insist on the establishment of a systemic approach with regard to internationally recognised norms and standards. In that way we also develop the complete business culture, the education system and entrepreneurial spirit in Serbia. Only through the establishing of a systematic approach to managing organisations can you “measure” whether your business system is efficient and effective, which is the basis of all standards for management systems.

many years of experience and practice to offer clients part of consulting services regarding the application of new technologies, protection and standards, which prepares them for new requirements dictated by the world’s markets.

• What new “products” are you preparing for • In Serbia, you represent the world leader in the Serbian market? control, verification, testing and certification, - Considering the fact that the basis of all of with over 85,000 employees and 1,800 offices the aforementioned standards are Risk Manand laboratories worldwide. What are the new agement and Risk assessment, SGS Belgrade trends in this field today?

• Agriculture is, according to many, Serbia’s bigcontinuously develops new training in this area, - Official published information on the ISO webunder the auspices of our Centre for Educagest development opportunity. How can SGS help in the development of agriculture and the site for 2015 (ISO Survey) leads to the conclusion tion. Great success is being achieved by the sales of products on foreign markets? that, when it comes to certification, the largest new TransitNet service for preparing and filing - SGS can in numerous aspects help with the growth globally was recorded in the area of entransit declarations with a corresponding bank development of local agriculture and the boostguarantee for clients engaged in international ergy efficiency according to the requirements trade, as well as the programme of marking and of ISO 50001, information security (ISO 27001), ing of exports of our products to the markets monitoring the quality of petroleum derivabusiness continuity management (ISO 22301) of the world. First, by controlling quality durand food safety (ISO 22000). Likewise, signifiing the harvest and bulk buying of agricultural tives, which have an anti-corruption character products, our manufacturers are coming to the that prevents fraud in the energy sector. “Mapcant growth exists in demands for certification realisation that, besides good yields, the quality in the field of environmental protection accordping” is one of the new services that our clients ing to ISO 14001. The biggest companies in Serbia are those that are By monitoring global trends with the goal of our products and services starting to develop or improve the being competitive in international trade, we have concluded that we methodology which can in a precise way measure business performance, must continue to insist on the establishment of a systemic approach in order to promote the operations with regard to internationally recognised norms and standards of their own business models. This is the only way to survive on an ever more demanding market. of products is also very important, and they obuse with the aim of ensuring early detections of potential risks during the purchase/productain data about what are key quality parameters • Which standards and certificates are tofrom SGS inspectors and controllers. Furthertion of agricultural products. SGS, by using its own resources, on the basis of monitoring and day essential in order for Serbia to be includmore, exported goods that are controlled by a larger number of analyses, composes maps SGS provide our manufacturers and merchants ed more successfully in regional and Europeof quality, toxins, diseases and pests of flora, with great certainty that they will not have any an markets? warning customers in a timely manner with reproblems with, or complaints from, foreign - By monitoring global trends with the goal of customers, which leads to increased demand our products and services being competitive in gard to taking the measures necessary to avoid for our products. Additionally, SGS utilises its international trade, we have concluded that we the damage that can occur. ■

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

| 17

INTERVIEW

Swiss Companies in Serbia

VALUE REFORMS Over the last two years, Serbia has made significant progress in structural reforms, fiscal consolidation and improvement of its business regulatory environment. However, there is a clear need to enhance consistency, predictability and transparency if Serbia wants to attract new investors and companies to do business in Serbia

DRAGICA TOMČIĆ,

ECONOMIC ATTACHÉ AT THE EMBASSY OF SWITZERLAND IN BELGRADE

B

ilateral relations between Switzerland and Serbia are good and show a dynamic, growing trend of exchanges in different fields, ranging from economy, tourism and trade, to culture and education, says Dragica Tomčić, Economic Attaché at the Embassy of Switzerland in Belgrade.

• How would you assess the reform process announced by the government and in particular measures in the area of improving the business climate?

- Over the last two years, Serbia has made significant progress in steering structural reforms and implementing its fiscal consolidation strategy in a rigorous manner. It has also improved its business regulatory environment, which is benefitting not only foreign investors, but also domestic ones. The introduction of new procedures to obtain building permits at one-stop-shops, the simplification of the tax system through the introduction of e-governance tools, amendments to the labour legislation and

18 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

an eased bankruptcy procedure were all positive steps. These efforts translated directly into Serbia considerably improving its ranking on the World Bank’s Doing Business List in 2016. The opening of EU Accession Negotiation Chapters 23 and 24 in July this year is another signal of Serbia making progress, and which will also give a positive signal to investors.

At the same time, there is a clear need to enhance consistency, predictability and transparency if Serbia wants to attract new investors and companies to do business in Serbia. Consolidating and accelerating reforms in the area of justice and the fight against corruption will be essential to improve legal security. Improvement of the tax legislation, considering the excessive level of taxation and the para-fiscal burdens, and amendments to the regulations on electronic commerce, taxation and social security contributions on wages will also prove important.

• How do Swiss companies already active on this market evaluate the overall conditions for doing business in Serbia and where do they see

room to improve the business climate? Which measures do you see as urgent from standpoint of Swiss investors, both those already doing business in Serbia and those only considering Serbia as a business destination?

- Swiss companies operating here in Serbia acknowledge that Serbia has improved its regulatory framework and the overall business climate significantly. Most of the companies who were surveyed by the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce at the beginning of this year indicated that they did not regret having invested in Serbia and many are actually considering expanding their operations.

At the same time, and as mentioned earlier, consistency, predictability and transparency are the key factors for investors and companies that want to invest and do business in Serbia.

This also applies fully to Swiss investors.

In this respect, it is essential that in 2017, and the following years ahead, we see substantial progress in the reform of the judiciary, the fight against corruption, the rule of law and the protection of ownership. Last but not least, ensuring the availability of a skilled labour force will be necessary. Many Swiss companies have indeed stressed that they had difficulties recruiting and retaining workers.

support the development of entrepreneurial skills, including helping Serbian IT experts boost their business skills and competitiveness.

Regarding the expansion of business links between our two countries in the ICT sector, allow me to note that in the last couple of years we have noticed that there is ever more interest among Swiss IT companies for outsourcing their services in Serbia, with a clear increase subsequent to the appreciation of the Swiss franc. Here they have found talented, motivated, creative, dynamic, language-proficient and highly educated young people willing to learn and upgrade their knowledge. Combing the enormous energy and creativity of Serbian human capital power with Swiss knowhow, expertise, experience and high-tech industry, is where I see the perfect match in expanding and fostering business activities.

• How would you assess the trends in overall bilateral exchanges?

- Bilateral relations between Switzerland and Serbia are good and show a dynamic, growing trend of exchanges in different fields, ranging from the economy, tourism and trade, to culture and education.

Whilst the trade volume in the first half of 2016 amounted to around €130 million, there is, of course, room for improvement. We expect that the positive trend observed in 2015, which saw Serbian exports to Switzerland increase by 28 per cent, will continue. The most promising sectors include agricultural products, textiles, automotive, food products and wood and furniture.

The Swiss business community in Serbia currently numbers over 200 companies from various sectors, employing around 10,000 workers. Switzerland is also among the top ten biggest investor

• Given that the government has announced much more active work on the development of IT capacities, where do you see an opportunity for the transfer of Swiss expertise and expanding business links between enterprises from the two countries?

- The ICT sector is undoubtedly one of the most rapidly growing markets. Some estimates show that in the future 90 per cent of jobs will require familiarity with IT. In this light, it is expected that It is essential that in 2017, and the following years ahead, we see the European Union will have a substantial progress in the reform of the judiciary, the fight against shortage of 900,000 ICT experts corruption, the rule of law and the protection of ownership in the next five years. It is, thus, no surprise that Serbia has endeavoured to further develop this sector. With double digit annual growth, ICT is already among the most countries in Serbia. We see new investment potential in the strong Serbian diaspora in Switzerland, which shows an increasing interest in launchvibrant and fastest growing sectors in Serbia, and another 15,000 to ing businesses in Serbia.

30,000 ICT experts will be needed to meet market demand. Considering With regard to culture and education, relations and exchanges are that addressing this demand in the long-run will require an in-depth transformation of the education system and the introduction of informatics to vibrant and dynamic, in both directions. Swiss artists, students, visiting the curricula starting from the primary school level, Swiss expertise – or professors and experts in dual education are coming to Serbia with great rather experience – could certainly prove useful. Cooperation between pleasure and are willing to show and share their skills, new tendencies, expertise and experience with the Serbian people. On the other side, Swituniversities and so-called polytechnic schools, such as the well-renowned zerland remains a top destination for Serbian artists, musicians, students ETHZ and EPFL, which are producing top-class computer specialists, and tourists. In July this year, the “Zurich-Belgrade” route actually became could contribute significantly to the development of a dynamic start-up the number one aviation line! ■ and spin-off scene in Serbia. Switzerland will, in any event, strive to further

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

| 19

INTERVIEW

Long-Term

PARTNERSHIP Through the process of supporting Serbia’s accession to the European Union, Switzerland has donated 300 million Swiss francs to our country. In the next five years, an additional 75 million Swiss francs will be invested in public administration, energy and overall economic development

DANIJELA ČABARKAPA, DIRECTOR OF THE

DEPARTMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY OF SERBIA

B

ilateral relations between Switzerland and Serbia are dynamic, varied and well-developed, and also include rich cultural links, a large number of agreements, as well as excellent cooperation under the auspices of multilateral organisations – assesses Danijela Čabarkapa, Director of the Department for International Economic Relations at the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia (CCIS).

• How would you evaluate overall economic relations between Serbia and Switzerland?

- Switzerland is Serbia’s most important partner among the members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA): Serbia’s trade exchange with Switzerland accounts for 87.4% of our entire trade with this economic group.

Switzerland supports the EU accession process and has so far donated 300 million Swiss francs to the Government of Serbia to help support the development of various sectors. In the next five years, an additional 75 million Swiss francs will be invested in public administration, energy and overall economic development.

20 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

Switzerland is currently rated as Serbia’s 24th foreign trade export partner and 25th import partner. According to the National Statistical Office, trade with Switzerland in the first six months of 2016 was worth €128.5 million.

Exports amounted to €41.9 million - 0.6% of total exports - while imports stood at €86.5 million - one per cent of all Serbian imports. Last year’s foreign trade amounted to 325.6 million euros and was 11.8 percent higher than in 2014. Total exports to Switzerland in 2015 were worth €70.2 million, with imports valued at €255.4 million. The coverage of imports by exports fell last year from 41 to 27.5%, with imports growing by 17.4% and exports falling by 21.2%.

• The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) are both working on strengthening the competitiveness of the Serbian economy through its 2014-2017 Strategy. In which way is the CCIS involved in this project, and can you tell us something about the effects of this project?

- The strategy is fully in accordance with the priorities of the Serbian Government and focuses on public administration, economic development, energy efficiency and renewable energy. The CCIS cooperates actively with SDC and SECO in Serbia, state institutions, local authorities, as well as other donors and partners responsible for the implementation of this project.

• How does the CCIS help in this context when it comes to strengthening domestic companies’ ability to export to the demanding markets of Western Europe?

- The CCIS, as a national association of businesspeople, actively promotes Serbia’s economic potential, conditions for doing business and investment, as well as the offer of the domestic economy abroad. The CCIS helps Serbian companies find partners in Switzerland for different types of business arrangements - from selling Serbian goods and services, to processing works, industrial cooperation and joint ventures.

business and academic diaspora, held in Zurich in early June, relate to establishing the All-Serbian Business Summit as a place of networking and connecting members of the diaspora, aimed at creating business and academic networks. Agreement was reached on the organising of a Serbian business forum in Switzerland – business presentations of companies from Serbia in Switzerland and their positioning on the Swiss market; the promotion and distribution of Serbian brands through the organising of a fair that will also bring together all sectors of the economy next year and which is aimed at developing trade relations and economic cooperation with businesspeople of Serbian origin from around the world, as well as with Swiss business leaders.

Also envisaged is the promotion of Serbia’s tourism potential, primarily spa and health tourism, by linking our spas with insurance companies in Switzerland, where those who have insurance policies with these companies would be sent to Serbian spas for rehabilitation, which would also be in their interests due to the cheap but extremely high quality and professional healthcare services in Serbia.

Members of the Serbian diaspora will also participate in promotions of the investment projects of our cities and municipalities, in cooperation with the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM).

• This SECO programme targets in particular the Serbian start-up scene, More than 150 Swiss companies operate in Serbia in the sectors of which is increasingly active. What can services (Dufry, Ringier Axel Springer) and industrial production we learn from Switzerland in this re(Nestle, Roche), while Swiss SMEs mainly operate in the metal industry gard?

- Last year, the Serbian start-up scene was very active, with numerous new • In which way does the CCIS intend to work on the further improvecompanies, investments and projects. This is also one ment of Serbia’s business climate and increasing Serbia’s attractiveof the reasons why the Swiss State Secretariat for the ness among foreign investors, through the establishment of the CounEconomy, via the SECO entrepreneurship programme, cil of Mixed Chambers of Commerce? decided to finance and implement this project in Serbia, - The CCIS’s Council of Mixed Chambers brings together bilateral chamBosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, Macedonia, Peru and Vietnam. The aim of this project is to support technological bers and business associations registered in Serbia, and the main aim of entrepreneurship, with an emphasis on the inclusion of the Council’s activity is to provide the possibility of effectively articulating current problems and possible obstacles hindering the operations of women in entrepreneurial flows and the creation of 750 foreign companies in Serbia, through a joint approach to relevant state new jobs by 2019. In this way, direct support is envisaged authorities. The Council of Mixed Chambers simultaneously provides for more than 100 start-ups and high-growth businesses. an opportunity to strengthen ties and communication between foreign • “Expo 2016” was recently held in Zurich, as the first companies present in Serbia and the CCIS, as the national association of Summit of the economic and cultural heritage of the the Serbian economy. entire Serbian academic and business diaspora. Were Already after just the first meeting of the Council of Mixed guidelines formulated at this gathering regarding how Chambers, at the proposal of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry advantage can be taken of the experiences of members of Serbia, and following the decision of the Minister of Finance, a of the Serbian diaspora and their inclusion in the counWorking Group was formed to work on amendments to legislation in try’s economic development? the fields of tax, customs and the financial system. The task of this - The CCIS together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Working Group, which comprises representatives of the Ministry of supported and actively participated in this project, under Finance and the CCIS, is to consider the CCIS proposal for improving the auspices of the continuous activities of the CCIS’s Busiboth the business environment and initiatives for amending regulaness Council for the Diaspora. tions in tax, customs and the financial system. The Working Group Guidelines from the first all-Serbian summit of the has already held two sessions. ■

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

| 21

INTERVIEW

By Working Together

WE GROW STRONGER SSCC is in a good position to identify the interests and concerns of its member companies and relay them to officials and decision-makers. To achieve this, SSCC creates platforms for public-private dialogue by organising conferences, the last of which was held in October 2016 - ’’Conference on SMEs’’

ANA GRUJOVIĆ,

SSCC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

S

SCC is well recognised by the Swiss business community, both when it comes to companies already active in the country and potential investors, as their first point of contact for relevant information. Furthermore, SSCC strives to contribute to improving local framework conditions for business activity by creating opportunities for an exchange of experiences and lessons learned from both public and private sector actors, says Ana Grujovic, Executive Director of the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce.

• How do Swiss investors evaluate the economic environment in Serbia?

- At the beginning of 2016, SSCC conducted a business

22 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

climate survey among the members of the Swiss-Serbian business community in order to gain fresh insight on their evaluation of the business climate in Serbia.

The survey’s results confirmed a positive change in their perception of the local economic environment when compared to the previous year, and definitely showed more optimism among these companies.

• How is the SSCC facilitating the dialogue between the Swiss community in Serbia and the Government?

- The Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce aims to be recognised as the Voice of the Swiss-Serbian business community. SSCC is in a good position to identify the interests and concerns of its member-companies, and to relay them directly to government officials and decision-makers. In order to achieve this, SSCC organises conferences in order to build interactive platforms for public-private dialogue and further consultations and discussions with all relevant stakeholders. For example, SSCC recently held a “Conference on SMEs” in the context of the “Year of Entrepreneurship” in Ser-

bia, with the objective of contributing to the strengthening of the competitiveness of local SMEs and to emphasise their importance for the future development of Swiss-Serbian economic relations.

On this occasion, we were honoured to have the Ambassador of Switzerland to Serbia, H.E. Philippe Guex, and the Economy Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Goran Knežević, as our keynote speakers. Following keynote addresses, opportunities and challenges related to SME establishment and growth were addressed during the panel discussion, through an exchange of experiences and lessons learned from both public and private sector actors.

• What kinds of requests regarding the economic environment do you get from potential Swiss investors?

- We are now witnessing growing interest in the Serbian market among potential Swiss investors, especially in the ICT, wood processing and mechanical sectors. They often ask questions about administrative procedures related to opening a company in Serbia, such as information and documentation that needs to be provided, as well as indicative timing and costs of this procedure.

Then there are many questions related to the general characteristics of the Serbian market, such as average operating costs, free trade agreements, financial benefits and incentives and labour legislation. Moreover, we often receive requests about specific customs procedures and operations in Serbia.

Switzerland has been an independent country since 1499 (apart from a brief French occupation between 1798 and 1815) at bringing the economies of Switzerland and Serbia closer together.

- The traditional instrument used to connect the economies of Switzerland and Serbia is the “SwissSerbian Business Forum” – the last of which was held in October 2015 in Belgrade. On that occasion, we welcomed a trade delegation from Switzerland that had an opportunity to learn more about the business climate in Serbia during the Forum. Also, B2B meetings between Swiss and Serbian companies were held in order to build new business connections and explore potential Swiss-Serbian partnerships and cooperation.

Then, SSCC also organises networking events.

For example, SSCC and the Swiss Embassy in Belgrade co-organised the “Swiss Business Networking Event” in December 2015, with a view to strengthening ties between the members of the Swiss Business Community in Serbia. During this event, it was emphasised that Swiss companies in Serbia had contributed strongly to fostering a more competitive environment in Serbia by promoting key Swiss values, such as quality, knowhow and work ethics.

• Which SSCC services would you single out in particular?

- SSCC today counts approximately 70 member companies, while we continue to receive new membership ap-

• How does the SSCC promote Swiss values in doing business?

- The “Swissness” concept repreThe recent survey among the Swiss business community operating sents SSCC‘s core beliefs about in Serbia confirmed a positive change in their perception of the local how to conduct activities, and we economic environment when compared to the previous year and definitely strive to promote basic Swiss values, such as quality, integrity, reshowed more optimism among these companies liability and transparency. In September 2016, SSCC launched a plication forms. This clearly shows that SSCC has been new project entitled “SSCC success stories”, with a recognised as a reliable partner to companies wishing view to further promoting the concept of “Swissness”. to contribute to fostering Swiss-Serbian economic reThis marketing project consists of giving an opportunity to all SSCC members to share their business stories lations. One of the main benefits of SSCC membership and experiences, as well as their company’s corporate lies in our role to enable the efficient exchange of business information amongst members, and to provide values and principles. Interviews are being published them with practical guidance based on the experience in the digital media and shared with the public. For example, the first interview was conducted with Mr Edin and expertise of other members of the SSCC community. For this reason, SSCC has held internal workshops Dačić, President of the Assembly of company “Standard Furniture Serbia”, who emphasised the importance with its members and identified their main interests of quality and reliability as key factors in becoming a and concerns, which were then addressed during the local supplier to an international company. “Standard Conference on SMEs. I would say that one of SSCC’s Furniture Serbia” is IKEA’s only local supplier. main services consists of ensuring that the interests of all SSCC members are equally valued and that their concerns are addressed adequately. ■ • Please tell us more about SSCC’s activities aimed

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

| 23

SWITZERLAND–SERBIA: BILATERAL RELATIONS

Dynamic, Varied And Well

DEVELOPED RELATIONSHIP Bilateral relations between Switzerland and Serbia are dynamic, varied and well-developed, characterised by meaningful human and cultural ties and a wide range of bilateral agreements in many areas, as well as good cooperation in multilateral organisations

T

here are regular, frequent contacts at the level of foreign affairs ministers and secretaries of state. Many agreements exist, notably in relation to economic questions, migration and social insurance. The presence in Switzerland of a large Serb community also influences relations.

Cooperation in the multilateral area is excellent, with the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Chair to be held by Switzerland in 2014 followed by Serbia in 2015, as well as cooperation within the Swiss group at the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

ECONOMIC COOPERATION Economic cooperation includes annual government level meetings in the form of mixed economic commissions and forums, making it possible to establish priorities, discuss any difficulties and develop opportunities for investment.

There is potential in trade relations, which have suffered

24 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

from the economic crisis, and the same can be said for Swiss direct investment in Serbia, which remains at attractive market for the Swiss companies present.

COOPERATION IN THE DOMAIN OF EDUCATION Scholars and artists from Serbia can apply to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.

Cooperation between universities, and notably between the Universities of Zurich and Belgrade, has resulted in even more dynamic scientific exchanges.

Serbia having been granted Associate Membership status at CERN, a new level of cooperation can begin with that organisation.

One of the four pillars of the Swiss programme of cooperation with Serbia is education, focusing in particular on inclusion of the most vulnerable groups in the educational system, beginning with the Rom population.

Switzerland is not governed by one head of state – instead it has a seven-member executive council that serves as the Swiss collective head of state. A president is elected for a one-year term and is regarded as the primus inter pares, or first among equals, during this time

PEACEBUILDING AND HUMAN SECURITY Cooperation between the Universities of Zurich and Belgrade, has Active since 1991, with a resulted in dynamic scientific exchanges. One of the four pillars cooperation programme iniof the Swiss programme of cooperation with Serbia is education, tially devoted to humanitarian focusing in particular on inclusion of the most vulnerable groups in aid, Switzerland has launched the educational system, beginning with the Rom population several initiatives aimed at peacebuilding and reconciliation, notably with regard to transitional justice and dealing with as a mainly humanitarian effort, this programme has since become a classic case of cooperation. the past. Since 2009 the Swiss Embassy has provided financial The main thrust of the strategy for 2014–2017, established in support for programmes of the OSCE Mission in the Serb region of Sandzak and participates in diplomatic initiatives of the agreement with the principal Serb partners, both governmental and group of Friends of Sandzak and of South of Serbia. non-governmental, is to promote the integration of Serbia in Europe.

The focus is on improving the conditions for social inclusion, a reduction in poverty and stimulating economic competitiveness.

DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION These efforts involve four specific areas: economic developThrough its cooperation programme Switzerland has supported Serbia’s transition since 1991 for a total of 300 million ment, the rule of law and democratisation, education, and the efficient use of energy plus the development of renewables.

CHF, with an annual contribution of 15 million CHF. Having begun

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

| 25

CULTURAL EXCHANGES Cultural relations between The main thrust of the strategy for 2014–2017, established in Switzerland and Serbia are paragreement with the principal Serb partners, both governmental ticularly diverse, extending from and non-governmental, is to promote the integration of Serbia dance, music and theatre to film in Europe. The focus is on improving the conditions for social and literature. Switzerland supinclusion, a reduction in poverty and stimulating ports a number of cultural feseconomic competitiveness tivals in Belgrade which enable Swiss artists and groups to be heard. The same is true in Switzerland, where the Serb community contributes much to the diin 1957. The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was foundversity of cultural exchanges. ed on the eve of the Second World War. At the end of 2011 there were 1220 Swiss registered in SerIts constituent republics seceded in 1991 and 1992, leaving bia, many of them with dual nationality. just the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia which in 2003 was renamed the «Union of Serbia and Montenegro».

THE HISTORY OF BILATERAL RELATIONS In 2006 Montenegro opted out of the Union. As the only remaining state, Serbia took upon itself all of the treaties signed In 1919 Switzerland recognised the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, which in 1929 become Yugoslavia. A Legation with Switzerland. ■ Source: Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) was opened in Belgrade in 1940, being upgraded to an Embassy

26 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

CORPORATE

DRAGAN GAVRILOVIĆ, General Manager, SIKA d.o.o.

More Value,

LESS IMPACT After two years of operations at the new factory, the results justify the investment to the extent that a new expansion of capacities is planned

A

mong others, the basic hypotheses of the company’s operations relate to the protection of the environment, the improvement of energy efficiency, and the sustainability of recommended solutions. A global strategy was adopted two years ago and implemented by all local organisations. The goals relate to reducing the amount of waste produced and energy consumed by 20 per cent at a five-year level.

considering a new increase in production capacities by improving existing capacities or investing in completely new ones.

Maintaining the growth trend, with the aim of satisfying needs and demands of the market, continues to be our main goal.

• Are you satisfied with the business climate and your cooperation with the local government?

- Close proximity and access to the most important roads, the distance from suppliers of basic raw materials (cement and sand), optimal transport costs to the largest construction sites, and other favourable parameters, would not have the same significance if it wasn’t for the quality of cooperation with the local authorities.

od ahead will be based on the promotion of new products and new technologies, sustainable construction and environmental standards, followed by increasing the volume of exports to the countries of the region, further expansion of the distribution network in Serbia, alongside maintaining an active presence and providing technical support for major infrastructure and other projects in our country and the region.

• When it comes to your branch of industry, it is essential to meet the highest envi• Two years ago, during the time of global ronmental standards. How does Sika meet economic crisis, you opened your new factory in Simanovci. Are you satisfied with that those demands? investment?

- Our company slogan is “MORE VALUE, LESS - Since its establishment in Serbia in 2002, IMPACT”, which means that the goal is to bring through the quality of its work and constant new value to our local environment, and thus growth, Sika Srbija d.o.o. has earned the trust of the corporate LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. management, which was willing to It is a set of standards for the design, construction, operation and listen to Sika Srbija’s aspirations to invest in the expansion of camaintenance of green buildings. It is a rating system in which pacities. The investment implied buildings are inspected and given points for meeting or exceeding the construction of a production standards in different areas and business complex in Simanovci, relocation of the existing factory for concrete admixtures and the building of The large number of companies on the terrihigher quality products, but with a significantly tory of the Municipality of Pecinci, along with the a brand new, modern factory for the produclower impact on the environment. As of last tion of powder products (mortar). investments announced in the future, is the sigyear, Sika Serbia started using APEO FREE raw nificant indicator of the business climate and coToday, two and a half years after the immaterials in the production of our liquid proplementation of those investments, we are operation with the local authorities in this area. gramme, which is in line with EU regulations; more than satisfied. Work carried out in three we promote construction in accordance with • Where do you see room for the company’s shifts is a sufficient indicator of the high dethe principles of sustainable development, e.g. mand and successful sales of our products further development in Serbia and the region?

LEED standards, for which we already have both in Serbia and abroad. We are now already - The development of our company in the periprojects in our country as examples. ■

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

| 27

SWITZERLAND

The Nation of

DIRECT DEMOCRACY The Swiss have elaborate mechanisms of finding a compromise in every issue instead of taking majority decisions. The Swiss system of direct democracy with frequent referendums is quite exotic when compared in detail with other European systems of parliamentary democracy

T

hough often criticised as being slow and inefficient by foreign scholars of political science, no political party in Switzerland really wants to change it - neither conservatives nor social democrats and ecologists and even the liberals are foxy enough to realise that long-term political stability and broad acceptance of laws are better for the economy than frequent change of government. Whether the Swiss have a more distinctive need for harmony than other European nations or whether they simply stick to a system that has proved to guarantee stability for decades is difficult to say. One by-product of direct democracy is a high acceptance of decisions taken - once they have been taken.

If you compare large-scale investments to infrastructure in Switzerland vs. Germany you will find that Germans may be faster to get a decision in parliament, while the Swiss will most probably have a referendum after the basic decision in parliament. But when it comes to putting things into practical existence, the Swiss accept what has been decided by a majority in a referendum while protests by movements of citizens just start during that phase of a project

28 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

in Germany. After all, a large scale project in Switzerland is usually realised at least as fast or even faster and chances are better in Switzerland that they stay within budget.

FEDERALISM AND SUBSIDIARITY Taking decisions at the lowest possible level is deeply rooted in Swiss tradition and all efforts taken to change this in any particular field have been fruitless as long as the situation has not become obviously inopportune or even intolerable. This is definitively a major difference compared to most European countries. While finding out who is competent for a decision might resemble a walk through a jungle of paragraphs for foreigners, the Swiss authorities know quite well what their competences and duties are and act correspondingly - and native Swiss people also know very well who to address with a specific request.

Swiss federalism does, however, not mean that everything is decided on the local level and things don’t remain forever as they are. The Swiss federal constitution consists of three major parts fundamental rights of the individuals, competences and duties of

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was founded in 1863 in Geneva, Switzerland, and is still based there. The flag of the Red Cross is the flag of Switzerland with the colours inverted

the federal and cantonal authorities and organisation of the federal authorities. For the last 150 years the basic principles have remained untouched, but there is at least one minor change to the constitution per year - mostly concerning the responsibilities of the national and cantonal authorities.

Changes to the Swiss constitution must be approved in a referendum and sometimes proposals are rejected, but generally the electorate is willing to accept constitutional changes when administration and parliament are able to present good reasons. Stability as the Swiss practise turns out to be more flexible than one might suppose at first sight.

MULTILINGUISM AND MULTICULTURALISM The four national languages of Switzerland are German, French, Italian and Romansh. All but Romansh maintain equal status as official languages at the national level within the Federal Administration of the Swiss Confederation.

The Swiss are not born as natural language talents nor does everybody speak three or more languages fluently. The key is federalism: let the regions have as much autonomy as possible. This helps a lot with the four native languages/cultures because they do have their well defined regions within the country, but federalism does not help with immigrant cultures as the immigrants - coming from more than two dozens of quite different cultures - settle all over the country.

HUMANITARIAN TRADITION Keywords like Red Cross, Human rights, asylum and “good services” For the last 150 years the basic principles have remained refer to a century old tradition and untouched, but there is at least one minor change to the reputation of Switzerland. While a part of the population is quite proud constitution per year - mostly concerning the responsibilities of of this tradition and willing to pay (in the national and cantonal authorities terms of money as well as immaterial efforts), others try to undermine it without tearing down the façade all too obviously.

1940’s) and more recent groups of refugees did not represent majority A particular field of debate is asylum politics. Some people culviews and have not experienced the same warm welcome. tivate an idealised view on Switzerland’s asylum tradition and forget that granting asylum to Huguenots (17th century), liberals (19th century), SWITZERLAND AND WESTERN EUROPEAN CULTURE Statements about social phenomena are always more than German/Austrian antifascists (1930’s), Hungarians (1956), Tibetians a bit risky: even if based on polls or other statistical data there is (1959) and Czechs (1968) was strenghtening the position of the majorimuch more room to interpretation than with basic geographical ty in Switzerland, so it was not really as unselfish as one might suspect. facts or economic figures.

On the other side Jews threatened by Nazi persecution (1930’s and

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

| 29

PERFECTIONISM, PRECISION AND PUNCTUALITY Precision and punctuality are quite highly estimated throughout western Europe, but there is little doubt that the Swiss are model students in these disciplines. Perfectionism as the major ingredient to celebrated Swiss quality may convert into impatience or pedantry sometimes, however.

THRIFTINESS Switzerland used to have one of the highest savings rates some decades ago and every child got acquainted quite early to the piggybank. Appeals to cut public spending are still relatively popular while it seems that on an individual level attitudes towards spending and saving money are converging to European average values.

THE BEAUTIFUL SWISS MACHINE Some 40 years ago former Swiss Radio International entitled a country profile with these words still valid today. Living in a vulnerable ecosystem (the Alps), and tourism being a major source of income, the Swiss have been forced to learn to cooperate with nature rather than SWITZERLAND IS DEEPLY ROOTED IN WESTERN Swiss mentality is basically (western) European mentality, based EUROPEAN CULTURE on concepts of freedom, liberalism, pluralism, tolerance and last If your own background is nonbut not least secularisation. All efforts by some right-wing Swiss European and you did not have the patriots to mark a fundamental difference between Switzerland opportunity to follow grim politiand Europe must be put into this perspective cal debates whether Switzerland should join the European Union or not, you might think this is trivial. fighting it or exploiting it ruthlessly. Nevertheless the lack of raw mateSeen from a global perspective, minor differences and subtleties rials and the high population density have led to an early industrialisawill disappear: Swiss mentality is basically (western) European tion. The result is a habit to seek the fragile balance between nature mentality, based on concepts of freedom, liberalism, pluralism, toland technology: While bringing latest high tech equipment to the most erance and last but not least secularisation. distant backcountry village is a widely accepted strategy of regional All efforts by some right-wing Swiss patriots to mark a funpolitics in Switzerland, the preservation of awesome natural monudamental difference between Switzerland and Europe must be ments is rated equally important. Of course in everday politics this is put into this perspective. One should always keep in mind that not something that is happining automatically, it is rather the result of Swiss philosophers, politicians and scientists have made major intense political debates. The specific Swiss aspect is probably just contributions to the common European heritage and Switzerthe fact that a large majority of the population is at least aware that land was among the first nations on the continent to adopt a economic growth and all those modern things making life so comfortmodern democratic constitution and implement it in real everyable are also a danger to nature. day life. This being said, we might try to find some subtle Swiss Though tax paying is not more popular in Switzerland than in specifics.

30 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

Switzerland is the first and only country to implement a system of government based on the people’s administration, also known as direct democracy, which involves the constitutional initiative (public petitions) and the referendum

any other country, the Swiss electorate is willing to invest large amounts of public money into railroad infrastructure aiming to reduce road haulage and metropolitan commuter traffic by car.

EMIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION Switzerland’s population, amounting to 8.3 million in 2015 has tripled since 1880. Since the end of World War II the total population has risen by 75%, while the number of foreign residents has increased by a factor of more than five in the same period. Once a poor country sending mercenary soldiers to the service of foreign kings and more than 100,000 emigrants to the Americas during the 19th century, Switzerland has become an immigration country since and foreigners make up now more than 20% of the Swiss population.

COSMOPOLITANISM VS. XENOPHOBIA Needless to say that this development could not get unnoticed by the native population. While a strong group of (predominantly) liberal urban intellectuals sees immigration as an enrichment and multiculturalism as a chance to cure what they regard as Swiss provincialism, others (predominantly) conservative rural people see Switzerland’s identity in danger and demand for restrictions to immigration.

The conflict cosmopolitanism vs. xenophobia has been the dominant political theme in Switzerland for the last 40 years, dividing the country and affecting almost all other issues in some way. The debate has been verbose, heated and sometimes turned quite nasty, but some fundamental questions have hardly ever been touched.

CULTURAL IDENTITY One of the undebated questions is cultural identity. Every nation claims a right to maintain its own culture, especially those countries the immigrants to Switzerland come from.

What is ignored by cosmopolitans is the fact that you need a “minimal critical mass” to keep a culture alive. And that’s where

Federal Council The Federal Counci is the seven-member executive council which constitutes the federal government of Switzerland and serves as the collective executive head of government and state of Switzerland.

While the entire council is responsible for leading the federal administration of Switzerland, each Councillor heads one of the seven federal executive departments.

The position of Federal President rotates among the seven Councillors on a yearly basis, with the year’s Vice President becoming next year’s President.

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

| 31

A major point in implementing tolerance was making sure that religions (institutions) have no right to force their view of life upon any individual.

Today, Europe is experiencing a culture clash between native Europeans and immigrants from non-European countries and one of the major issues is the very concept of tolerance itself (and can’t be settled just by appealing to tolerance, therefore): While immigrants claim to have freedom of religion for themselves, based on European guarantees of tolerance, a strong group among them is abusing tolerance granted to them to try to enforce their cultural / religious rules among members of their families. If this takes the form of violence at home or even so-called “honor-killings”, religious freedom collides with even more fundamental human rights and that’s where European tolerance ends in practice, based on a hierarchy of human rights that puts physical inviolability of the individual person on top of all abstract values.

Switzerland’s smallness (only 41,000 km2 area and 8 million While immigrants claim to have freedom of religion for themselves, population with four native subbased on European guarantees of tolerance, a strong group among cultures) comes in. If there is no them is abusing tolerance granted to them to try to enforce their “vehicle” to “transport” a specific cultural / religious rules among members of their families Swiss culture different from the big neighbours (Germany, France, Most European natives still know that implementing a liberal Italy), an identifiable Swiss culture (and with it the Swiss nation) society with far reaching guarantees of human rights has cost will simply cease to exist. great efforts and they are not willing to abandon again what has On the other hand some conservatives pretend that what been reached and built up over centuries in the name of some they claim to be their cultural identity is a century-old tradition “global tolerance”. As long as this basic problem is not really adand should remain basically unchanged and untouched forever. dressed, uneasyness and fears among the native population tend They forget or repress the historical fact that most elements of to lead to a general xenophobia. traditional Swiss folklore culture are either common European heritage or have been imported from other parts of Europe or DEMOGRAPHY even other continents. Every era in Switzerland’s history had its Another tendency shared with all other western European own processes of incorporating and assimilating foreign elecountries and in fact all industrialised countries is ageing. In ments of culture.

2005 the excess of births over deaths has sunken to only 11,779.

The effect is aggravated by a still increasing life expectancy.

PLURALISM, TOLERANCE AND LIMITATIONS Today, Switzerland has more than twice as many inhabitants of When European philosophers defined the principle of tolerage 65 and four times as many over age 80 than back in 1950. ance 250 years ago, this was a cultural revolution - and it took Politicians are alarmed about the workers-to-retirees ratio: Europe 200 years to accept this new principle. Switzerland was fewer and fewer workers will have to support more and more among the first European countries that tried to find a way of pensioners. ■ putting this abstract principle into practice - which was not easy.

32 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

SWISS WORK CULTURE

Punctuality ABOVE ALL

Swiss workers put in about 42 to 45 hours a week on the job, if they are working full time; but an increasing number choose to work less, often for family reasons

A

job offered at 90% typically means two days off a month (work nine out of ten workdays). A 50% position could mean two days of work one week, followed by three the next. Exactly how the time is divided up can be determined between the employer and employee.

WORK ETHICS There is a great tradition of craftsmanship and workmanship, and sloppiness is frowned upon. Young people also come to subscribe to these attitudes.

Strikes are rare in Switzerland. Antagonism between workers and management, where it exists, is often kept within bounds.

Punctuality is important. Being late, even by just a few minutes, can be regarded as bad form.

GENDER EQUALITY Switzerland is still a maledominated working world. Women are more likely to have a tradition-

al role of stay-at-home mothers, though this is changing. But North Americans in particular will not fail to be surprised at the frequent separation of the sexes in the working world: men in industry, women in service roles.

Top management is still pretty much a man’s domain. Many company executive boards have no female representation.

FLEX TIME Flexible work time has become the norm in industrial and commercial life, which means that you often clock in and out but you can decide independently your time of arrival and departure. Still, Swiss people tend to be early risers, and most people begin their working day early, between 7am and 8am. â–

Flexible work time has become the norm in industrial and commercial life, which means that you often clock in and out but you can decide independently your time of arrival and departure

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

| 33

ACTIVITIES OF THE SWISS-SERBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (SSCC) 10.10.2016

SSCC’S “CONFERENCE ON SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES - SMES”

GORAN KNEŽEVIĆ, Minister of Economy, H.E. PHILIPPE GUEX, YANA MIKHAILOVA, SSCC President, and ANA GOVEDARICA, SSCC Vice-President

SSCC’s “Conference on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises - SMEs” took place as part of SSCC’s efforts to emphasise the importance of the SME sector in further enhancing economic relations between Switzerland in Serbia. Organised in the context of the “Year of Entrepreneurship” in Serbia, this event also strove to contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of local SMEs. The keynote speakers were Goran Knežević, Minister of Economy, and Ambassador of Switzerland to Serbia, H.E. Philippe Guex, who outlined the key role SMEs play in the economic development of Switzerland. Opportunities and challenges related to establishing and growing SMEs were later addressed in the panel discussion through an exchange of experience and lessons learned by both public and private sector actors.

01.08.2016

15.06.2016

723 ANNIVERSARY OF SWISS CONFEDERATION RD

The Swiss Embassy hosted a reception at its residence in honour of the 723rd anniversary of Switzerland.

Then Swiss Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Jean-Daniel Ruch, gave a welcome speech in which he remarked, “Switzerland and Serbia have been nurturing traditionally good relations thanks to mutual understanding”.

Rolf-Juergen Seyerle, SSCC Board member, also addressed the guests on behalf of the SSCC Board.

The reception took place in the garden of the ambassadorial residence in Senjak and guests included the highest state officials, numerous public figures, representatives of the diplomatic corps in Belgrade, economic and business leaders, representatives of religious communities in Serbia, as well as SSCC members.

34 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

SEMINAR “CROSS-BORDER MOVEMENT OF THE WORKFORCE” ORGANISED

BY SSCC MEMBER, BDK ATTORNEYS

The Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (SSCC) and the SSCC member BDK Law Office co-hosted a seminar on Cross-border Movement of the Workforce. The aim of the seminar was to present to SSCC members legal and practical aspects of worker migration and cross-border secondments. Irena Kalmić, an employment law specialist at BDK Attorneys, spoke about the administrative challenges of obtaining residence and work permits, and commented on novelties in the legislation regulating the secondment of employees abroad. SSCC members had the opportunity to share their experience in immigration and secondment.

31.05.2016

SSCC MEMBERS VISITED THE NELT COMPANY IN DOBANOVCI The Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (SSCC) organised a visit to the SSCC member-company Nelt. Nelt’s staff warmly welcomed the President of the SwissSerbian Chamber of Commerce, Mrs. Yana PAULINE MENTHONNEX Gacaferri, Deputy Head of Mission, Swiss Embassy Mikhailova, Deputy and MILOŠ JELIĆ, Executive director, Nelt Head of Mission of the Embassy of Switzerland to the Republic of Serbia and to Montenegro, Mrs, Pauline Menthonnex, and many SSCC members.

The visit included a tour of the business complex in Dobanovci and presentations about Nelt’s logistics, warehousing, distribution and other services.

Nelt presented its extensive experience in providing all types of logistics services including domestic and international transport, customs brokerage, warehousing, delivery, additional services and consulting.

During the tour of the central distribution centre in Dobanovci, guests also had an opportunity to discover the company’s efforts dedicated to environmental protection, local community development and CSR programmes.

20.04.2016

BUSINESS SPEED MEETING Together with AmCham Serbia and the Hellenic Business Association (HBA), SSCC organised a “Business Speed Meeting”.

Representatives of the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (SSCC), AmCham Serbia and the Hellenic Business Association (HBA) presented their goods, services and special offers, developing their business and sales leads at a Speed Business Meeting.

In a series of brief exchanges, organised on the round robin model, each guest had 10 formal meetings in the course of an event that lasted an hour and a half.

At the end of the event a standing cocktail-brunch was organised for those who wanted to build on their business contacts and create additional points of contact for potential new business.

26.02.2016

SSCC GENERAL ASSEMBLY - NEW BOARD MEMBERS ELECTED Two new Board members were elected on the occasion of SSCC General Assembly which was held on 26 February 2016 at the hotel Holiday Inn Express City-Belgrade.

Mr. Rolf-Juergen Seyerle, Managing Director of “Star Import d.o.o.”, and Mr. Edin Dacic, General Manager of “Daccomet AG” and President of the Assembly of “Standard Furniture Serbia”, are the new Board members.

The SSCC Board also consisted of Mrs. Yana Mikhailova, Nestlé Adriatic Regional Director in the post of SSCC President, Mrs. Ana Govedarica, General Manager of Roche d.o.o. Serbia in the post of SSCC VicePresident, and the members: Mr. Adrien Alkabes, Director Monterosa doo, Mr. Xavier Davard, General Manager of Sicpa Security Solutions Albania and Balkan Region, and Mr. Sava Petrovic, Director of Petite Geneve Petrovic.

During the General Assembly, SSCC members also approved the Proposal of Amendments and Supplements to the Articles of Association, which were introduced in order to assure financial discipline and mechanisms for the efficient work of the Assembly and the Managing Board.

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

| 35

17.12.2015

LONGINES DOLCEVITA EVENT BELGRADE

Members of the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce had an opportunity to attend the launch event of the new Longines DolceVita collection.

SSCC Members were invited by His Excellency Mr. Jean-Daniel Ruch, the Swiss Ambassador, Mr Walter von Känel – President of Longines, Mrs. Olivera Stojanovic – General Manager of ABSOLUT Time (an SSCC Member).

On this occasion, all ladies had the opportunity to enter a special contest to win a new LONGINES DolceVita watch with diamonds.

25.11.2015

10.12.2015

SWISS BUSINESS NETWORKING EVENT

SEMINAR ON PROTECTION OF WHISTLE BLOWERS AND PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION SSCC invited its members to attend the seminar “Protection of Whistle Blowers and Personal Data Protection in Serbia”, which was held on 25 November 2015 in the hotel Holiday Inn Express.

The event was organised together with SSCC’s member-company Prica & Partners. On this occasion, our lecturers, Mrs. Jelena Živanović and Mrs. Iva Popovic of Prica&Partners, explained in detail the new Serbian law on the protection of whistle blowers, which became effective on 5 June 2015, as well as the legal framework of personal data protection.

The Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce and the Swiss Embassy in Belgrade co-organised the “Swiss Business Networking Event” with the aim of strengthening ties between members of the Swiss Business Community in Serbia. The event was held on 10 December 2015 at the Swiss Residence in Belgrade and gathered over 90 guests.

H.E. Ambassador Ruch welcomed the guests and emphasised that the Swiss Business Community was becoming stronger year by year in Serbia, and that large as well as small and medium enterprises from Switzerland were indeed showing growing interest in the Serbian market. Ambassador Ruch said that Swiss companies had strongly contributed to fostering a more competitive environment in Serbia by promoting key Swiss values, such as quality, know-how and a work ethic.

Mrs. Ana Govedarica, SSCC Board member and General Manager of Roche Serbia doo, presented SSCC’s current and future endeavours to boost business relations between Switzerland and Serbia. Mrs. Govedarica pointed out that SSCC’s vision was to support the sustainable development of Serbian society and that its main role was to act as the first contact point for private sector business actors from both Switzerland and Serbia.

She said that in the short period of just one and a half years, SSCC had gathered 54 members including companies from the pharmaceutical, food and construction industries, service providers, and other sectors. Mrs. Govedarica also stressed that all SSCC members benefited from a wide variety of services, such as knowledge improvement, business networking and enhanced visibility of member-companies via the SSCC official website. As for SSCC’s activities, she mentioned the seminar on protection of whistleblowers and personal data protection, which took place in November 2015, and two events in Switzerland – in Zurich and Geneva.

Finally, Mrs. Govedarica concluded that SSCC was constantly striving to promote the concept of “Swissness” and that this Association would consistently listen and respond to its members in order to provide them with high-quality services and contribute to the further strengthening of Swiss-Serbian economic relations.

36 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

JELENA ŽIVANOVIĆ and IVA POPOVIĆ

Several different topics were tackled during the seminar, including internal whistleblowing procedures and employer’s obligations as well as data processing and employee’s personal data that the employer is allowed to process.

The presentations were followed by a discussion during which SSCC members had an opportunity to clarify all questions related to the protection of whistle blowers and personal data protection in Serbia.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Europe's WATER TOWER

T

Lakes, mountains and clean air are associated with Switzerland's quality of life. Beyond its picture postcard image, the natural environment is an integral part of Switzerland's identity and has forged the national spirit

o safeguard this environmental heritage the Federal Council and in a hundred or more water treatment plants. The waterways is expected the people of Switzerland have implemented a series of concrete to improve by 2030 thanks to the new constructions under way and the measures in recent years. renovation of existing water-treatment plants.

Population growth, increasing consumption and economic The differences in altitude, climate and types of soil have created a development: these are the three biggest factors impacting on natural wealth of biodiversity in Switzerland with more than 50,000 living species. resources. To ensure their sustainability, Switzerland encourages its citiFor some years the reduction in the area of natural habitats is having a negzens to consume resources responsibly and has put in place an environative impact on the balance of fauna and flora. More than 30% of species mental policy that promotes optimal techniques for their use. One area surveyed are currently under threat. In 2012, the Federal Council set 10 objectives in Switzerland’s strategy on biodiversity, including the definition of of action, for example, is to give priority to renewable energy in the use protected zones that spearheads the action plan for managing biodiversity. and production of resources. The policy on waste and pri­mary products The quality of air in Switzerland is good and is constantly improvis to be developed as part of the green economy with the aim of further closing materials cycles, promoting the recycling of primary products, In developing the Spatial Strategy for Switzerland, the Confederation reducing both the demand for them and the creation of waste products. identified the countryside as one of the key factors of any Urbanisation is in a constant development project state of change. It involves, however, the risk of urban sprawl where ing. In the last 25 years the emission of fine particles in cities has fallen residential areas extend over wide areas with low density housing. The by more than 50%. To maintain these good results Switzerland supports Spatial Planning Act, which was accepted in March 2013, has two main the development and use of technologies that pollute the least. This is objectives: to use available space more economically and to combat the especially the case in the automobile industry – one of the most pollutexcessive spread of building zones. This is an effective way to limit urban ing sectors – where the Confederation imposes strict standards of CO2 expansion and construction on farmland. emissions on the industry through the installation of high-performance Climate warming is a global problem. In Switzerland, various steps filters and catalytic converters in vehicles. have been taken to limit the increase in atmospheric temperature to less Soil is an essential part of environmental cycles. Urbanisation and natthan 2°C. The focus is on reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases, one ural reforestation are reducing the total area of available fertile land every of the main causes of global warming. In addition to a plan of action adopted in 2014, the carbon tax has been revised upwards. This affects in paryear. The Federal Council now supports farmers by offering them the tools ticular the construction and transport sectors, two major CO2 emitters. to limit permanent damage caused by their use of the land, and trains specialists who advise building contractors on major development projects.

Switzerland, which on occasions is referred to as Europe’s water tower, has many lakes and waterways. The water purification stations which In developing the Spatial Strategy for Switzerland, the Confederation identified the countryside as one of the key factors of any developwere built in the 1960s and 70s guarantee very high water quality. To eliminate micropollutants caused by phytosanitary products in agriculture, ment project. The ambition is simple: respect and protect the countryside Switzerland decided to add a new step in the treatment of waste water more today than yesterday! ■

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

| 37

THE SWISS VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

The Swiss Model IN A NUTSHELL In countries such as Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, apprenticeships are an integral part of the educational system.

Recently, the United States has shown increasing interest in learning more about the Swiss model

T

In Switzerland, two-thirds of all students coming out of The Swiss vocational and professional education and training system is managed as a public-private partnership: the procompulsory education decide to start their careers with fessional organisations, the cantons (state governments) and vocational education and training (VET). One of the VET the Swiss Confederation (federal government) have found ways programs is doing an apprenticeship, which usually takes to jointly define curricula, skill sets and standards for occupathree to four years and combines classes at a vocational school tions throughout the country. The most important partner is the with on-the-job training at a host company, where apprentices are employed.

Once they have graduated, The costs of the vocational education and training system are apprentices receive a federal borne by: the Swiss Confederation (federal government), the VET diploma, which is recogcantons (states) and the professional organisations (companies, nised by employers all across social partners, trade associations, and so forth) Switzerland. During the program, the host company pays the private sector. It is the companies that employ apprentices and apprentice a salary, which increases with each completed year. provide on-the-job education and training. Trade associations The concept of earning money while still getting an education are responsible for defining the industry-wide skill standards is a big incentive for future apprentices. Salaries vary for each and training content. Therefore the VET system is very labor occupational field and are lower than what regular employees market-driven and based on the needs of the different induswould earn. Even so, the amount represents compensation for tries, while the federal government ensures quality control and their performance and allows apprentices to have their own disposable income at a very young age. recognition.

38 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

There are 4 official languages in Switzerland : Swiss German (64%, many dialects), French (20.4%), Italian (6.5%), and Romansh (< 1%).

The goal of vocational education and training is to educate apprentices in a broad range of skills they need to be successful in their future careers. Once apprentices have graduated from their program, they are immediately prepared to work, and employers are aware of the abilities they bring with them. A broad skill set combined with a nationally recognised diploma offers young professionals the chance to work for potentially any company. As a talent pool, apprentices are a great benefit to companies, decreasing their recruitment costs.

Another important feature of the Swiss educational system is its high degree of permeability. The system provides career prospects for everyone and delivers a basis for lifelong learning. For example, after apprentices graduate, they can earn a university degree or take additional classes (leading to further certifications) at a professional college. There are plenty of options and pathways to continue one’s education or even to change one’s professional field.

ricula are always upto-date. Additionally, societal changes influence the popularity of the VET system. For example, some students might perceive college and a university degree as more prestigious. Other students might not have been born and raised in Switzerland and are therefore less familiar with the concept of vocational education and training. In both situations, clarifications about the functioning of the system and the viability of

FUNDING The costs of the vocational education and training system are borne by: the Swiss Confederation (federal government), the cantons (states) and the professional organisations (companies, social partners, Apprenticeships in Switzerland generally target young adults who trade associations, and so forth). are about to graduate from high school. The timeline to the right The professional organisations cover the costs for training shows that students start thinking about their future careers at and the salaries of the apprenthe young age of 14 tices and pay for intercompany courses. The cantons fund the VET as a career pathway are necessary. Furthermore, there are vocational schools and career guidance services and train apprenticeship trainers. The Swiss Confederation is responsible certain occupations that face more gender and equality biases for quality control, comparability, transparency and further dethan others: Switzerland, too, needs more women in IT and other velopment of the system as a whole.

STEM fields.

Swiss vocational education and training is very well organLast but not least, since internationalisation and mobility ised and a successful part of the Swiss educational system in in the labor market are increasing, more and more foreign companies are establishing branches in Switzerland. Some of those many respects. However, some challenges still remain. On the companies first need to be convinced of the VET system’s adone hand, the needs of the labor market change constantly and vantages. so does the demand for new skills. On the other hand, there Apprenticeships in Switzerland generally target young are technological changes and global trends that influence the adults who are about to graduate from high school. The timeline structure of a market and thereby affect the demand for talented young people. It is a challenge to keep up with the changes in to the right shows that students start thinking about their future careers at the young age of 14. ■ the marketplace and to ensure that the skill standards and cur-

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

| 39

SWISS WATCH INDUSTRY

The Road to Dominating

THE WATCH INDUSTRY ABRAHAM-LOUIS PERRELET 1729-1826, has been considered the greatest master of Le Locle horology

A

s the reformation started to change Western Europe (the religious revolution by Martin Luther), the French Wars of Religion led to widespread persecution of the Huguenots (French protestants). Many Huguenots fled the persecution in France and entered Switzerland, bringing their clock and watch making skills to Geneva. This influx of skilled refugees helped transform the reputation of Geneva into a city known for its high quality watchmaking.

A huge revolution was already underway in Geneva at the time, led

by John Calvin. The revolution in Geneva was heavily influenced by the reformation and made it a great place for Huguenots to integrate into the city. This revolution was also a perfect breeding ground for the clocks and watches which were being developed in Geneva.

As part of the changes Calvin was making in Geneva, was that wearing jewellery was forbidden in Geneva. This destroyed the businesses of all of the goldsmiths and enamellers in Geneva, who steadily turned towards watchmaking. Goldsmiths and enamellers in Geneva, who had the expertise in beautiful design and craft, worked with the skilled Huguenots who had the knowledge and technique to create clocks and watches.

LÉPINE CALIBRE

40 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

The Swiss watch industry started shortly after German Peter Henlein from Nuremberg made in 1530 the clocks portable enough to be worn as items of clothing Finally, when the amount of regulation in Geneva was relaxed – around the end of the 17th Century, the city was known for its watchmaking expertise. In a short time the Swiss watches produced in Geneva were not just known for their skill and quality watchmaking, but also for their beauty. Watchmaking spread across the Jura Mountains, where the industry flourished. It wasn’t just innovation and excellence in terms of the watches developed, but also in the way watches were produced.

Much of the early innovation in the Jura Mountains came from Daniel JeanRichard, a goldsmith who was the first to apply the division of labor to the watchmaking industry. By using this to increase efficiency and standardisation he was able to increase production volume and quality.

By the end of 1790 Geneva was already exporting over 60,000 watches!

Today JeanRichard is considered the “founder of the watchmaking industry in the canton of Neuchâtel.”

More Swiss innovations came about over the following years. Abraham-Louis Perrelet created the “perpetual” watch in 1770, this watch was the forerunner to the modern self-winding watch. Adrien Philippe, one of the founders of the well-respected brand Patek Philippe, invented the pendant winding watch. The fly back hand

Switzerland’s Gotthard tunnel is the longest in the world – measuring 57km in length, located 2.3km under the Alps, it is 7km longer than the Channel tunnel between England and France

was developed in the Jura Mountains around this time, too.

You also cannot forget the invention of the tourbillon by Swiss-born Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1795. One of the most incredible pieces of high-quality watchmaking expertise, although not one which is, or ever has been affordable enough for most people to own!

In the 1760’s French watchmaker Jean-Antoine Lépine invented a simplified flat calibre which became known as the Lépine calibre. However, his invention helped to create the Swiss watchmaking powerhouse which was set to dominate the industry and almost destroyed the French

SILVER POCKET WATCH, BY DANIEL JEANRICHARD, CIRCA 1710

likely that Switzerland would not be the watchmaking powerhouse we know them to be today.

In 1868 Florentine A. Jones moved from America to Switzerland and founded the International Watch Company. This was an early company who succeeded in combining Swiss know-how and American production.

It was also the start of some Swiss companies moving away from établissage and bringing all of their production in house. Longines, for example, brought their operations in house in 1866 and employed over 1,100 workers within 45 years.

ABRAHAM-LOUIS BREGUET AND THE BREGUET N°2784

watchmaking industry. This development favoured Swiss watch manufacturers used a watchmaking system Swiss watchmakers more than it did the French as Swiss farmers and peasants would spend their winter months called établissage, which allowed them to develop making watch components for firms in Geneva. As furwatches much faster than any of their rivals ther technology was implemented for mass-production, Swiss watchmakers were able to produce watches at Of course, none of this would be possible if it wasn’t for research and much higher volumes than their rivals. The way Swiss watches were developed was incredibly different to that used by their European neighinventions from Pierre-Frédéric Ingold and Georges-Auguste Léschot. bours. As a country, Switzerland was much decentralised. Every valley Léschot is the most well-known of the two men – he invented one of the had an owner or organisation that had a dynamic, small city centre. first machines to manufacture various parts of watches in order to obtain interchangeable parts.

Swiss watch manufacturers used a watchmaking system called établissage, which allowed them to develop watches much faster than any of Ingold developed machinery to produce plates with sinks and jewel their rivals. In practice this means that different parts of the watch would seats, machines for barrels and even more watch parts. He moved to England and later on the United States where his inventions had a huge inflube manufactured in different places, then assembled by the manufacturers to create the finished timepiece. By using this system, the pace of ence on watch factories in the Boston area.

Swiss watch manufacturing increased in an almost unbelievable fashion.

After returning to France and then Switzerland he continued to invent. Many of his inventions and techniques were implemented, – like the In 1800, both Switzerland and Britain produced 200,000 timepieces, “Ingold fraise” (which is used to correct the profile of gear-wheel teeth) in 1850 Switzerland were able to produce 2,200,000 – while Britain produced little more than 200,000. and a new type of an escapement he created in 1852. These inventions and At this time many Swiss watches would look just like watches manutechniques were vital in allowing the Swiss industry to move towards infactured in France or Britain, albeit with lower prices and wider availability. house optimised production.

Despite the Swiss history of quality, if it wasn’t for the American opThe inventions from both Ingold and Léschot helped Switzerland extend timised production process being implemented in Switzerland it’s very its supremacy in the watch industry worldwide at the turn of the century. ■

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

| 41

SWISS HEALTH TOURISM:

Feel Good, HEAL BETTER

Switzerland has a long history of medical tourism, dating back to the Romans when wealthy travelers came to "take the waters". In the early days, these healing mineral waters were thought to offer cures for all kinds of diseases

A

t the beginning of the twentieth century, patients from treatments and technologies and are furnished with the latest all over the world came to Switzerland for treatment medical equipment. in the Alpine clinics. Today, patients from around the Swiss physicians enjoy an excellent international reputation and lead the world in the research and development of world travel to Switzerland to profit from the incomparable quality and range of the medical clinics. new treatment methods. Continuous improvement is at the Switzerland has an exceptionally high density of clinics and core of their work and quality is their guiding principle. Swiss rehabilitation centers. As a country it is well known for its pioneering Switzerland has an exceptionally high density of clinics and medical achievements and excellent rehabilitation centers. As a country it is well known for its pioneering treatment outcomes. For example, the pacemaker was invented in Switmedical achievements and excellent treatment outcomes. Swiss zerland and the cervical cancer vachospitals make use of leading-edge treatments and technologies cination was developed here. Swiss and are furnished with the latest medical equipment hospitals make use of leading-edge

42 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

Switzerland has been an independent country since 1499 (apart from a brief French occupation between 1798 and 1815).

physicians engage in direct dialogue with their patients and ensure that each patient is fully informed and involved in all decisions.

The quality of nursing training in Switzerland is outstanding, and paSwiss health and wellness tourism is worth over CHF3 billion. tients profit from the superb standard of round-the-clock personal It was one of the most growing sectors together with being the care. The nursing teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core focus second-largest market in Europe in the health and wellness is on the individual and his or her tourism segment. Medical tourism accounts for 30% and spas for wellbeing. the remaining 70%, reports Euromonitor Today, Switzerland puzzles many in medical tourism as it keeps inand competition from other European countries having simicreasing medical tourism numbers despite having some of the lar natural landscapes such as Austria or Germany. Medical highest prices in the world. tourism represents the fastest-growing health and wellness But tourists coming from China, Asia and Middle East are category in Switzerland over the past five years with around 5 far more concerned about quality. Medical tourism in Switzerland is seeing increased business from Brazil, Russia, India % average growth. Being significantly higher priced than other and China and Middle Eastern countries. Health and wellness medical tourism destinations such as Hungary or Germany, tourism was one of the most profitable and growing tourism Switzerland attracts affluent medical tourists from all over segments in Switzerland in previous years despite high prices the world. Private hospitals in Lausanne, Berne and Geneva are

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

| 43

where medical tourists seek popular A key attraction is the staggering variety of procedures on offer, procedures, including medical spa from medical spas and IVF treatments to neuro, cosmetic, obesity treatments, cosmetic surgery, IVF and orthopaedic surgeries. Swiss hospitals also offer superior treatment, neurosurgery, obesity procedures in dentistry, and laser surgery and hair removal surgery, and orthopaedic surgery.

Swiss hospitals also offer many According to the Deloitte survey, measures to improve comother procedures including dentistry, laser eye surgery and laser hair removal. petitive positioning include attractive amenities, excellent service, Swiss health and wellness tourism is worth over CHF3 biltargeted marketing, customer retention and social media presence. lion. It was one of the most growing sectors together with beSwitzerland continues to baffle as it keeps increasing its ing the second-largest market in Europe in the health and wellinbound health tourist numbers despite some of the highest ness tourism segment. Medical tourism accounts for 30% and prices in the world. A key attraction is the staggering variety spas for the remaining 70%, reports Euromonitor. of procedures on offer, from medical spas and IVF treatments Tourism is a key sector for Switzerlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy. 6% of to neuro, cosmetic, obesity and orthopaedic surgeries. Swiss Switzerlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s export revenues come from tourism and around hospitals also offer superior procedures in dentistry, and laser 17-20% of this revenue is contributed by health, wellness and surgery and hair removal. medical tourism. It is mostly the affluent population from Russia, The Swiss Hospital Association represents 300 hospitals China and Gulf countries that look at Switzerland as the destinaand estimates that between 1 and 2% of all patients come from tion for medical and wellness tourism. abroad, although it could be much higher. Switzerlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main

44 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

markets are the Gulf States, Russia, China, and former Soviet countries.

While medical treatment in Switzerland costs an average of Switzerland’s largest private healthCHF20,000, studies show that additional spending including care group, Hirslanden, has 14 hospishopping, hotel stay and entertainment means the real income tals and is seeking annual growth of from medical tourism is five to ten times higher 10% in foreign patients within the next five years. It gets many patients from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. While medical treatment in Switzerland costs an average of CHF20,000, studies show that additional spending including shopping, hotel stay and entertainment means the real income from medical tourism is five to ten times higher - a substantial amount in this high priced country, and an explanation of why the Swiss are very keen on attracting health, wellness and medical tourism-particularly from high spenders from China, Russia and Gulf states (GCC).

Overall, 253,919 GCC medical tourists with 735,318 overnight stays visited Switzerland between January and November — more than anyone else in daily tourist expenditure — it’s not last year, an increase of 23.4 per cent over 2013. surprising that Swiss Health says on its website it is focusing With GCC tourists spending an average of CHF500 per day activities on GCC, besides Russia and the CIS countries. ■

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

| 45

REVIEW: ART BASEL 2016

The World’s Most Famous ART EXHIBITION

TONY OURSLER’S TEMPLATE/VARIANT/FRIEND/STRANGER PRESENTED

BY THE LISSON GALLERY

Art Basel is an international art fair that stages three shows annually in Basel, Miami Beach and Hong Kong. Each show is organised into sectors showcasing Modern and Contemporary artworks by established and newly emerging artists

I

n addition to the artworks shown by participating galleries, the shows offer parallel programming produced in collaboration with the host city’s local institutions. While Art Basel provides a platform for galleries to show and sell their work to collectors, museum directors and curators, it also attracts a large international audience of art spectators and students.

This year’s show in Basel attracted 98,000 visitors over six days.

It presented 286 galleries from 33 countries, exhibiting the works of over 4,000 artists.

At first glance, selling art in stressful times would seem to be a challenge. Hpwever, the 47th edition of Art Basel is debunking that and showed good numbers already on the second day after the preview.

Those works with price tags in the millions were selling particularly quickly, Paul McCarthy’s “Tomato Head Green” from Hauser & Wirth

46 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

for $4.75 million and a 1973 Frank Stella sold by Sprüth Magers for $1.1 million among them. This time, an up until now substantial number of 88 large format works were seen in the side hall at “Unlimited”. Not curated strongly enough, however, and without a central theme – the critics all agreed. What do we need a room with Wolfgang Tillmans photographs in this segment for? This was the kind of justifiable question one didn’t have to pose when looking at the 24 TV screens of Gretchen Bender’s “Total Recall” (1987) from Metro Pictures Gallery.

Back to hanging works in the main hall, like every year the Gagosian stand had the most going on. Here, unmarked but guarded by security, an Ed Ruscha was hanging next to a Cy Twombly. Every day Berlin gallerist Johann König hangs around his Jeppe Heins, Jorinde Voigts, and Alicia Kwades. David Zwirner was there with Josef Albers, whose estate he started managing recently, plus Sigmar Polke, Bridget Riley,

ALEXANDRA BACHZETSIS, “Private: Wear A Mask, When You Talk To Me,”

and Bruce Naumann.

There were some notables from this year’s “Statements” area, where young galleries are promoted. We saw Micky Schubert with Ketuta Alexi-Meskhishvili and Sociétè bring along a religious stone cave by artist Timur Si-Qin. The 18th Baloise Art Prize, which was to be awarded here, went however to the New York gallery Foxy ProducCATERPILLAR SUIT IV BY WALTER OLTMANN tions and to “Soft Film” artist Sara Cwyar, as well as to the film “This Is Offal” by Mary Reid Kelley (Arratia Beer). another new building was being celebrated: the architects Herzog In the end, 286 galleries from 33 countries presented 4,000 artworks. Exemplary as a whole, and even the extremely heightened sede Meuron gave the substantial archive a new home here. And last curity measures this year couldn’t change the cross-border sense of but not least, Design Miami is also always worth a visit. Swarovski community. The program away from the fair was impressive, as well. presented the three winners of this year’s Design Awards on the top Kunstmuseum Basel opened a new building that was finally comfloor (by the way, no less than Lidewij Edelkoort was sitting on the pleted. “Sculpture on the Move” presented Brancusis, Giacomettis, and Calders in one room This year's show in Basel attracted 98,000 visitors over six days. It – because they can. Millions in presented 286 galleries from 33 countries, exhibiting the works private donations (in this case, of over 4,000 artists from the Laurenz-Stiftung der Mäzenin Maja Oeri) made this jury) and we found the grass carpet in question by Alexandra Kehaynew high standard possible. (After almost 30 years, Reinhard Mucha oglou that once adorned the runway for Dries van Noten and was last got another solo exhibition at the “Gegenwart” branch of the museum, easily reached on foot). Calder was present again in the Fondaseen during Berlin Fashion Week at Kaufhaus Hertzog again in the tion Beyeler – here curator Theodora Vischer presented an overarchentry way. For whoever may have thought that was enough already, ing theme of balance with works by Fischli & Weiss displayed both at Manifesta (curated by artist Christian Jankowski) opened in Zurich the same time and as a counterpoint. At Kunsthalle Basel, one could the weekend before and on Wednesday the Tate in London opened see the also-in-Berlin-omnipresent artists Anne Imhof and Yngve Hotheir own whole new building. So, very commendable, dear art world len. On Wednesday evening, it was about the shuttle to Vitra, where – you’re really NEVER standing still. Very commendable, indeed. ■

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

| 47

ART

Dadaism – The Socially Active

ART MOVEMENT

MARCEL DUCHAMP

D

Dada was an artistic and literary movement that began in Zürich, Switzerland. It arose as a reaction to World War I and the nationalism that many thought had led to the war. Influenced by other avant-garde movements - Cubism, Futurism, Constructivism, and Expressionism - its output was wildly diverse, ranging from performance art to poetry, photography, sculpture, painting, and collage

The introduction of chance was a way for Dadaists to challenge artisada’s aesthetic, marked by its mockery of materialistic and nationalistic attitudes, proved a powerful influence on arttic norms and to question the role of the artist in the artistic process.

Dada artists are known for their use of readymade objects - everyday ists in many cities, including Berlin, Hanover, Paris, New York, objects that could be bought and presented as art with little manipulation and Cologne, all of which generated their own groups. The by the artist. The use of the readymade forced questions about artistic movement dissipated with the establishment of Surrealism. creativity and the very definition of art and its purpose in society.

Dada was the first conceptual art movement where the focus of Marcel Duchamp was the first artist to use a readymade and his the artists was not on crafting aesthetically pleasing objects but on choice of a urinal was guaranteed to challenge and offend even his felmaking works that often upended bourgeois sensibilities and that generated difficult questions about society, the role of the artist, and low artists. There is little manipulation of the urinal by the artist other the purpose of art.

So intent were members of Dada on Dada artists are known for their use of readymade opposing all norms of bourgeois culture objects everyday objects that could be bought and presented that the group was barely in favor of itself: as art with little manipulation by the artist “Dada is anti-Dada,” they often cried. The group’s founding in the Cabaret Voltaire in Zürich was appropriate: the Cabaret was named after the eighteenth centhan to turn it upside-down and to sign it with a fictitious name. By retury French satirist, Voltaire, whose novella Candide mocked the idiocies moving the urinal from its everyday environment and placing it in an of his society. As Hugo Ball, one of the founders of both the Cabaret and art context, Duchamp was questioning basic definitions of art as well Dada wrote, “This is our Candide against the times.” as the role of the artist in creating it. With the title, Fountain, Duchamp Artists like Hans Arp were intent on incorporating chance into the made a tongue in cheek reference to both the purpose of the urinal as creation of works of art. This went against all norms of traditional art well to famous fountains designed by Renaissance and Baroque artproduction whereby a work was meticulously planned and completed. ists. In its path-breaking boldness the work has become iconic of the

48 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

DAMIEN HIRST

CABARET VOLTAIRE

FOUNTAIN BY MARCEL DUCHAMP

irreverence of the Dada movement towards both traditional artistic values and production techniques. Its influence on later twentieth century artists such as Jeff Koons, Robert Rauschenberg, Damien Hirst, and others is incalculable.

Switzerland was neutral during WWI with limited censorship and it was in Zürich that Hugo Ball and Emmy Hennings founded the Cabaret Voltaire on February 5, 1916 in the backroom of a tavern on Spiegelgasse in a seedy section of the city. In order to attract other artists and intellectuals, Ball put out a press release that read, “Cabaret Voltaire.

Under this name a group of young artists and writers has formed with the object of becoming a center for artistic entertainment. In principle, the Cabaret will be run by artists, guests artists will come and give musical performances and readings at the daily meetings. Young artists of Zürich, whatever their tendencies, are invited to come along with DADA MANIFESTO BY HUGO BALL suggestions and contributions of all kinds.” Those who were present from the beginning in addition to Ball and Hennings were Hans Arp, Tristan Tzara, The aim of Dada art and activities was both to help to stop Marcel Janco, and Richard Huelsenbeck. the war and to vent frustration with the nationalist and In July of that year, the first Dada bourgeois conventions that had led to it evening was held at which Ball read the first manifesto. There is little agreement on how the word Dada was invented, but one of the most common the word might mean the same (or nothing) in all languages - as the origin stories is that Richard Huelsenbeck found the name by plunggroup was avowedly internationalist.

The aim of Dada art and activities was both to help to stop the ing a knife at random into a dictionary. The term “dada” is a colloquial war and to vent frustration with the nationalist and bourgeois conFrench term for a hobbyhorse, yet it also echoes the first words of a child, and these suggestions of childishness and absurdity appealed ventions that had led to it. Their anti-authoritarian stance made for to the group, who were keen to put a distance between themselves a protean movement as they opposed any form of group leadership and the sobriety of conventional society. They also appreciated that or guiding ideology. ■

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

| 49

SPORT: FEDERER-DJOKOVIĆ

By JOE KENNARD

Titanic RIVALRY

The closest we can get to answering that question (at least in tennis) is the Djokovic vs.

Federer rivalry. Every time these two colossal figures collide, the stakes couldn't possibly be any higher. They've already played one another a whopping 45 times—the second most frequent matchup in tennis history—with Djokovic leading 23–22

B

games at any given moment, they have an ecause of how late they usugreatest in men’s tennis history, writing: uncanny knack for bringing out the best in ally meet in tournaments, their Federer-Djokovic provides plenty of one another. matches drip with tension and intangible pleasure for neutral fans. Each They’ve given tennis some of its most take on added importance. can defend but prefers to play the aggressor, making for quick reversals and legendary matches, including their epic Unlike the Federer vs. Rafael Nadal series (which Nadal comfortably confor many unpredictable points. Federer 2014 Wimbledon final, five-set thrillers trols) or even the increasingly one-sided has one of the sport’s most effective at the U.S. Open in 2010 and 2011 and so Djokovic vs. Nadal battle, this one is more serves ever. It has a mighty foil in Djokomany other indelible moments on stages vic’s possibly best-ever return. Federer’s evenly balanced. big and small.

In a piece examining their rivalry, FiveThirrekindling of his love for the serve-andThough their first four matches went tyEight.com’s Carl Bialik argued for it as the volley raises the tension.

Federer’s way, neither man has produced a streak longer than three wins against the other since 2007.

Federer-Djokovic provides plenty of intangible pleasure for neutral As Djokovic matured into fans. Each can defend but prefers to play the aggressor, making the force he is today and for quick reversals and for many unpredictable points. Federer has Federer dealt with the natural aging process, both playone of the sport’s most effective serves ever. It has a mighty foil ers have seen ebbs and flows in Djokovic’s possibly best-ever return. Federer’s rekindling of his in their careers. Yet no matlove for the serve-and-volley raises the tension ter where they are with their

50 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

Switzerland was the origin of instant coffee – Nescafe was created by Nestlé in 1938. The Nestlé Company, started by Swiss businessman Henri Nestlé in 1867, buys almost 10 percent of the world’s coffee and cacao bean crops annually.

Bialik hit on some key tactical factors which help make Djokovic vs. Federer so aesthetically pleasing.

For starters, both men play radically different games. Federer is the constant aggressor and a practitioner of the onehanded backhand. With his get-to-thenet mentality, he’s like a cheetah eager to pounce at the first opportunity. Djokovic, myself credit for that, quite honestly, yeah.” edginess up to their competitive natures, with his two-handed backhand, is more Not exactly earth-shattering material, but there’s no denying they get under like a hawk. He patiently surveys his surbut that exchange is enough to illustrate roundings, using his stellar defense to tire each other’s skin. opponents from the baseline before zooming in on his prey.

Underneath it all, there's a not-so hidden layer of tension between Despite their six-year age gap, Federer, 35, and Djokovic, the two. Though both men clearly respect one another, their 29, are each superbly condipersonal relationship seems chilly at best. You can chalk most tioned and possess a unique of that edginess up to their competitive natures, but there's no set of talents. The dichotodenying they get under each other's skin mies in their games are notable, but as the saying goes, ophow little love is lost between them. Which After his round-robin loss to Federer in posites attract. And their differences only might be good for tennis. In a sport that London, Djokovic touched a nerve in his opmake the rivalry all the more interesting. (fairly or not) has a reputation for being ponent by saying he “handed” him the win.

Underneath it all, there’s a not-so hidtoo formal, it’s actually refreshing to see den layer of tension between the two.

The Swiss star retorted by telling reporttwo players who maybe aren’t so friendly ers: “He handed [me] the win? ...

It’s not like Though both men clearly respect one anwhen they face off. It adds an element of other, their personal relationship seems he played terrible. I know he can play better.

Why did he play that way?

I’d like to give drama to the proceedings. ■ chilly at best. You can chalk most of that

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

| 51

PEOPLE WHO CHANGED THE WORLD: LE CORBUSIER (1887–1965)

The Master of

URBAN PLANNING Le Corbusier was born Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris in Switzerland on 6th October 1887. In 1917, he moved to Paris and assumed the pseudonym Le Corbusier. In his architecture, he chiefly built with steel and reinforced concrete and worked with elemental geometric forms. Le Corbusier's painting emphasised clear forms and structures, which corresponded to his architecture

B

orn Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris, Le Corbusier was the second son of Edouard Jeanneret, an artist who painted dials in the town’s renowned watch industry, and Madame JeannerctPerrct, a musician and piano teacher. His family’s Calvinism, love of the arts and enthusiasm for the Jura Mountains, where his family fled during the Albigensian Wars of the 12th century, were all formative influences on the young Le Corbusier.

At the age of 13, Le Corbusier left primary school to attend Arts Décoratifs at La Chaux-de-Fonds, where he would learn the art of enameling and engraving watch faces, following in the footsteps of his father.

There, he fell under the tutelage of L’Eplattenier, whom Le Corbusier called “my master” and later referred to him as his only teacher.

L’Eplattenier taught Le Corbusier art history, drawing and the naturalist aesthetics of art nouveau. Perhaps because of his extended studies in art, Corbusier soon abandoned watchmaking and continued his studies in art and decoration, intending to become a painter. L’Eplattenier insisted that his pupil also study architecture, and he arranged for his first commissions working on local projects.

After designing his first house in 1907, at the age of 20, Le Corbusier took trips through central Europe and the Mediterranean, including Italy, Vienna, Munich and Paris. His travels included apprenticeships with various architects, most significantly with structural rationalist

52 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

Auguste Perret, a pioneer of reinforced concrete construction, and later with renowned architect Peter Behrens, with whom Le Corbusier worked from October 1910 to March 1911, near Berlin.

EARLY CAREER These trips played a pivotal role in Le Corbusier’s education. He made three major architectural discoveries. In various settings, he witnessed and absorbed the importance of (1) the contrast between large collective spaces and individual compartmentalised spaces, an observation that formed the basis for his vision of residential buildings and later became vastly influential; (2) classical proportion via Renaissance architecture; and (3) geometric forms and the use of landscape as an architectural tool.

In 1912, Le Corbusier returned to La Chaux-de-Fonds to teach alongside L’Eplattenier and to open his own architectural practice. He designed a series of villas and began to theorise on the use of reinforced concrete as a structural frame, a thoroughly modern technique.

Le Corbusier began to envisage buildings designed from these concepts as affordable prefabricated housing that would help rebuild cities after World War I came to an end. The floor plans of the proposed housing consisted of open space, leaving out obstructive support poles, freeing exterior and interior walls from the usual structural constraints. This design system became the backbone for most of Le Corbusier’s architecture for the next 10 years.

There are 208 mountain peaks above 3,000 metres in Switzerland, including 24 above 4,000 metres. The highest of them is Monte Rosa (Dufourspitze) at 4,634m, at the boundary of Valais and Piedmont (Italy)

CITROHAN HOUSE

RONCHAMP, one of Le Corbusier's most unusual works

THE MOVE TO PARIS In 1917, Le Corbusier moved to Paris, The floor plans of the proposed housing consisted of open space, where he worked as an architect on conleaving out obstructive support poles, freeing exterior and interior walls crete structures under government confrom the usual structural constraints. This design system became the tracts. He spent most of his efforts, howbackbone for most of Le Corbusier’s architecture for the next 10 years ever, on the more influential, and at the time more lucrative, discipline of painting.

Then, in 1918, Le Corbusier met Cubist painter Amédée Ozenfant, In the pages of L’Esprit Nouveau, the three men railed against past who encouraged Le Corbusier to paint. Kindred spirits, the two began a artistic and architectural movements, such as those embracing elaborate nonstructural (that is, nonfunctional) decoration, and defended Le period of collaboration in which they rejected cubism, an art form finding Corbusier’s new style of functionalism. its peak at the time, as irrational and romantic.

In 1923, Le Corbusier published Vers une Architecture (Toward a New With these thoughts in mind, the pair published the book Après le Architecture), which collected his polemical writing from L’Esprit Noucubisme (After Cubism), an anti-cubism manifesto, and established a veau. In the book are such famous Le Corbusier declarations as “a house new artistic movement called purism. In 1920, the pair, along with poet is a machine for living in” and “a curved street is a donkey track; a straight Paul Dermée, established the purist journal L’Esprit Nouveau (The New street, a road for men.”

Spirit), an avant-garde review.

In the first issue of the new publication, Charles-Edouard Jeanneret took CITROHAN AND THE CONTEMPORARY CITY on the pseudonym Le Corbusier, an alteration of his grandfather’s last name, Le Corbusier’s collected articles also proposed a new architecture to reflect his belief that anyone could reinvent himself. Also, adopting a single that would satisfy the demands of industry, hence functionalism, and the name to represent oneself artistically was particularly en vogue at the time, abiding concerns of architectural form, as defined over generations. His especially in Paris, and Le Corbusier wanted to create a persona that could proposals included his first city plan, the Contemporary City, and two keep separate his critical writing from his work as a painter and architect.

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

| 53

UNITE D'HABITATION, 1952. Le Corbusier's first large-scale housing project

VILLA SAVOYE, Arguably Le Corbusier's most famous work

housing types that were the basis for much of his architecture throughout his life: the Maison Monol and, more famously, the Maison Citrohan, which he also referred to as “the machine of living.”

Le Corbusier envisaged prefabricated houses, imitating the concept of assembly line manufacturing of cars, for instance. Maison Citrohan displayed the characteristics by which the architect would later define modern architecture: support pillars that raise the house above the ground, a roof terrace, an open floor plan, an ornamentation-free facade and horizontal windows in strips for maximum natural light.

The interior featured the typical spatial contrast between open living space and cell-like bedrooms.

In an accompanying diagram to the design, the city in which Citrohan would rest featured green parks and gardens at the feet of clusters of skyscrapers, an idea that would come to define urban planning in years to come.

Soon Le Corbusier’s social ideals and structural design theories became a reality. In 1925-1926, he built a workers’ city of 40 houses in the style of Citrohan House at Pessac, near Bordeaux. Unfortunately, the chosen design and colors provoked hostility on the part of authorities, who refused to route the public water supply to the complex, and for six years the buildings sat uninhabited.

THE RADIANT CITY In the 1930s, Le Corbusier reformulated his theories on urbanism, publishing them in La Ville radieuse (The Radiant City) in 1935. The most apparent distinction between the Contemporary City and the Radiant City is that the latter abandoned the class-based system of the former, with housing now assigned according to family size, not economic position.

The Radiant City brought with it some controversy, as all Le Corbusier projects seemed to. In describing Stockholm, for instance, a classically rendered city, Le Corbusier saw only “frightening chaos and saddening monotony.” He dreamed of “cleaning and purging” the city with “a calm and powerful architecture”; that is, steel, plate glass and reinforced concrete, what many observers might see as a modern blight applied to the beautiful city.

At the end of the 1930s, and until the end of World War II, Le Corbusier kept busy with creating such famous projects as the proposed master plans for the cities of Algiers and Buenos Aires, and using government connections to implement his ideas for eventual reconstruction, all to no avail.

On 27th August 1965, Le Corbusier went for a swim, against his doctor’s orders, in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of his beloved summer home in the south of France. His body was found by bathers. ■

54 |

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

COMPANY REGISTER ABSOLUT TIME Olivera Stojanović Knez Mihailova 47, Belgrade olivera@absolut-time.rs www.absolut-time.rs

CORESIDE SAVILLE Dejan Stanarčević 115v Blvd. Mihajla Pupina, Belgrade Dejan.stanarcevic@coreside.rs www.savills.com

MET SRB Ljubomir Nedeljković Bulevar Zorana Đinđića 48a ljubomir.nedeljkovic@met.com www.met.com

ADECCO OUTSOURCING Marko Kolenc Vladimira Popovića 40, GTC, 19.

Avenija 11070 Belgrade marko.kolenc@adecco.com www.adecco.rs

EVOLVEA Aleksandar Nikolić Prizrenska 7/II floor, 11000 Belgrade aleksandar.nikolic@evolvea.rs www.evolvea.com

MITAN OIL Dušan Vuković Terazije 16/III sprat, 11000 Belgrade office@mitanoil.rs

ADVOKAT VLADIMIR ĐERIĆ Vladimir Đerić Vlajkovićeva 28, 11000 Belgrade Vladimir.djeric@mjb.rs www.mjb.rs ALL ME COSMETICS Nataša Novičić Resavska 21/3, 11000 Belgrade finansije@allmecosmetics.rs www.allmecosmetics.rs ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL MEDIA D.O.O. Maja Vidaković Makenzijeva 67, 11111 Belgrade m.vidakovic@aim.rs www.aim.rs ALMA QUATTRO D.O.O. Sandra Dejanović Dositejeva 20/3, 11000 Belgrade sandra.dejanovic@almaquattro.rs www.almaquattro.rs BALKAN LIFT KOMERC D.O.O. Miroslav Markuc Ljube Didića 28, 11000 Belgrade miroslavmarkuc@balkanlift.co.rs www.balkanlift.co.rs BARRY CALLEBAUT SEE D.O.O. Stojan Kemera Jurija Gagarina 32a 11000 Belgrade stojan_kemera@ barry-callebaut.com www.barry-callebaut.com BASNA Vesna Bauer 74/1 Atenica, 32104 Čačak vesna@basna.net www.basna.net BDK ADVOKATI Marija Doci Majke Jevrosime 23, 11000 Belgrade mdoci@bdklegal.com www.bdklegal.com BEOTIM Marko Ilić Radnih Akcija 55, 11250 Železnik marko@beotim.net www.beotim.net BIRAC COMMUNICATIONS D.O.O. Jovan Birac Ibarska 13/5, Belgrade jovan@birac.rs www.birac.rs COLOR MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS Milica Đokić www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs CONFIDA CONSULTING Christian Braunig Knez Mihailova 22 11000 Belgrade c.braunig@confida.rs www.confida.rs

FLY FLY TRAVEL Marko Ljupković Knez Mihailova 30, 11000 Belgrade marko.lj@flyflytravel.com www.flyflytravel.com HAVAS WORLD WIDE Alex Milićević Koče Kapetana 47, 11111 Belgrade alex.milicevic@havasww.rs www.havasww.rs IMETAL D.O.O. Branislav Filipović Zrenjaninski put 11-O, 11000 Belgrade imetalsrb@gmail.com IMMO CASH BACK Mirko Vincetić Stevana Markovića 8, Belgrade, mirko.vincetic@imo.co.rs www.refundacijapdv.com INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL CENTRE D.O.O. NOVI SAD Petar Nikolić Janka Čmelika 24, 21 000 Novi Sad Nikolic.petar@live.com JAPAN TOBACCO INT. Mr. Kent Brown Vladimira Popovića 38 11000 Belgrade kent.brown@jti.com www.jti.com KARANOVIĆ & NIKOLIĆ LAW OFFICE Ana Stanković Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 6/15 11000 Belgrade ana.stankovic@ karanovic-nikolic.com www.karanovic-nikolic.com KINSTELLAR D.O.O. Branislav Marić Bulevar Mihaila Pupina 10L 11000 Belgrade Branislav.maric@kinstellar.com www.kinstellar.com KOELEMAN FOOD PRODUCTS Placide Machoud Stevana Sinđelića BB 35210 Svilajnac placide@koeleman.rs www.koeleman.rs KONZUL D.O.O Marko Slijepčević Stevana Musića 1 21000 Novi Sad marko@konzul.rs www.konzul.rs MANPOWER SERBIA Ana Mijatović Bul.Mihaila Pupina 115v 11000 Belgrade ana.mijatovic@manpower.rs www.manpower.rs MASTER TIME Branivoje Lazović Obilićev venac 22, 11000 Belgrade bane.lazovic@mastertime.rs www.mastertime.rs

MK GROUP Vladimir Gavrić Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 115e 11000 Belgrade Jelena.vujnovic@mkgroup.rs www.mkgroup.co.rs MONTEROSA Adrien Alkabes Ruzveltova 23, 11000 Belgrade office@monterosa.rs MOSER-SQTS D.O.O. SWISS QUALITY TECHNICAL SERVICES Ted Moser Tršćanska br. 21, 11080 Zemun ted.moser@moser-sqts.ch www.moser-sqts.rs MRG EXPORT-IMPORT D.O.O. Milun Grbović Ustanička 25/V, 11000 Belgrade milun.grbovic@mrg.rs www.mrg.rs

OLIMARK/UNISOL D.O.O. Starčević Autoput Beograd - Novi Sad 100 B 11000 Belgrade starcevic@polimark.rs www.polimark.rs

SGS BEOGRAD LTD Marinko Ukropina Jurija Gagarina 7 b, RS 11000 Belgrade Marinko.ukropina@sgs.com www.sgs.rs

MUTARA TREUHAND AG Severin Knusel Dorfstrasse 38, CH-6340 Baar knuesel@mutara.ch www.mutara.ch

PRETEK D.O.O. BELGRADE Gordana Brossard Rige of Fere 7, 11000 Belgrade gordana@pfl.ch www.precel.ch

SICPA Xavier Davard Av de Florissant 41 1008 Prilly, Switzerland Xavier.Davard@sicpa.com www.sicpa.com

NAMICS D.O.O. Catherine Ferrary Simon Kneza Mihaila 33, 11000 Belgrade catherine.ferrarysimon@ namics.com www.namics.com/en

PRICA AND PARTNERS Miloš Vulić Kosančićev venac 20 11000 Belgrade mprica@pricapartners.com www.pricapartners.com

SIKA D.O.O. SERBIA Dragan Gavrilović Patrijarha Pavla 1 22310 Šimanovci gavrilovic.dragan@rs.sika.com srb.sika.com

NELT CO Marko Milanković 206 Maršala Tita, P.O. Box 530 11272, Dobanovci, Belgrade Milankovic.M@nelt.com www.nelt.com

PROFESSION GROUP Snezana Simin Dečanska 13/21, 11000 Belgrade snezana.s@professiongroup.com www.professiongroup.com

NESTLE ADRIATIC S D.O.O. Yana Mikhailova Milutina Milankovića 11 A 11070 Belgrade Yana.Mikhailova@rs.nestle.com www.nestle.rs

PUTNIK GROUP Ilija Todorić Topličin Venac 19-21 11000 Belgrade ilija.todoric@intertravel.rs www.intertravel.rs

NOVARTIS Predrag Bogavac Omladinskih Brigada 90A/3 11070 Belgrade predrag.bogavac@novartis.com

RINGIER AXEL SPRINGER D.O.O. Jelena Drakulić-Petrović Žorža Klemansoa 19 11 000 Belgrade jelena.drakulic@ringier.rs jelena.drakulic@ ringieraxelspringer.rs www.ringieraxelspringer.rs

OMYA VENCAC D.O.O. Mihailo Hadzistević Venčački put bb 34300 Arandjelovac Mihajlo.Hadzistevic@omya.com www.omya.com PETITE GENEVE PETROVIĆ Sava Petrović Uskočka br 7, 11000 Belgrade savabpetrovic@gmail.com www.petitegeneve.com PGP Nevena Beljin Ćukovački kut 8a 11080 Zemun, Belgrade nevena.beljin@pggrupa.rs www.pggrupa.rs

SKY EXPRESS Majo Micović Uroša Martinovića 13 11000 Belgrade majo@sky-express.rs www.sky-express.rs SR TECHNICS SERVICES D.O.O. Marco Aspesi Omladinskih Brigada 90G 11000 Belgrade marco.aspesi@srtechnics.com www.srtechnics.com

ROCHE D.O.O. SERBIA Ana Govedarica Milutina Milankovića 11A 11070 Belgrade ana.govedarica@roche.com www.rochesrbija.rs SANDOZ PHARMACEUTICALS D.D., REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE BELGRADE Ljubiša Kukurić Kneginje Zorke 2 11000 Belgrade ljubisa.kukuric@sandoz.com www.novartis.com

SUPERROADS D.O.O. Ana Vitorović Makenzijeva 15, 11000 Beograd ana@superroads.rs www.superroads.rs SWISSMADE TRADING LTD. Yves Beljean Hallwilerweg 2, CH-6003 Luzern swissmadetrading@gmail.com www.swissmade.com SYGMA CONSTRUCTION Zoran Jevtić Severni Bulevar 17v 11000 Belgrade zoran@sygma.rs TEKNOX GROUP SERBIA Bogdan Pavlović Autoput za Niš 17, 11000 Vrčin (Belgrade) bogdan.pavlovic@ teknoxgroup.com www.teknoxgroup.com TRS D.O.O. Goran Andrić Rudnička 1, 11118 Belgrade gandric@trservices.rs www.trs.rs TSG OFFICE Ljubica Tomić Carice Milice 3, 11000 Belgrade ljubica.tomic@tsg.rs www.tsg.rs

STANDARD FURNITURE SERBIA Edin Dacić Borivoja Velimanovića bb 35230 Ćuprija e.dacic@swissonline.ch www.standard-serbia.com

VISUAL IMPACT D.O.O. BELGRADE Darko Milojković Oblakovska 28, 11000 Belgrade darko@visuals.ch www.visuals.rs

STAR IMPORT/EMIL FREY Rolf-Juergen Seyerle Omladinskih brigada 33 11000 Belgrade rolf-juergen.seyerle@ starimport.rs www.mercedes-benz.rs

YVES-MICHEL CVRCANIN Yves-Michel Crvcanin Avenue Avant-Poste 19 1005 Lausanne ymc@ymclaw.ch www.ymc.ch

ŠUNJKA LAW OFFICE Tomislav Šunjka Sremska 4, 21000 Novi Sad tomislav.sunjka@ sunjkalawoffice.com www.sunjkalawoffice.com

ZUHLKE ENGINEERING Mr. Aleksandar Marjanović Španskih boraca 1 11070 New Belgrade aleksandar.marjanovic@ zuhlke.com www.zuehlke.com

STRONG ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

| 55