There is nothing that can improve the business climate, facilitate business for local and foreign companies operating here, contribute to the growth and development of Western Balkan economies and increase the inflow of foreign investment in Serbia and the region like the regional economic integration. In parallel with creating a common market and removing barriers to do-
Focus
GERMANY 2022
IN THE SPRING, IN COOPERATION WITH PARTNER CHAMBERS FROM GERMANY, WE WILL PRESENT VERY CONCRETE INVESTMENT AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES TO GERMAN COMPANIES
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ing business among us and with the world, it is very important to connect our companies in value chains, consolidate supply, encourage the establishment of regional stakeholders that will be competitive in the international market and support the economy to boost its capacity to digitally transform, to automate production and to move to green sustainable business models. In the past few months, more than 2,000 companies from all six regional chambers of commerce and all production and service sectors have become part of the joint supply platform, and their profiles and offers are already available to interested suppliers from the Western Balkans. What is even more important is to provide the local economy and investors from around the world with an adequate young and educated workforce
in line with their needs, for dual education to come to life in the entire region, to harmonize our education systems, to establish a common labour market, and for someone who is investing in Serbia to be able to hire workers and experts from across the region without bureaucratic procedures. You have extensive experience in relations with Germany, and as the CCIS president, you have launched many initiatives. What do the good results in the cooperation between Serbia and the German economy, which has been growing year on year, mean to you? There is no better reference for one economy, its companies and a country that is emerging as an investment and business destination than hav-
ing Germany as the number one foreign trading partner, as well as exporting mostly to the German market, attracting mostly German investors, being included in German supply chains, rely on German technology and knowhow, support the implementation of dual education, digital transformation of the economy and transition to doing business based on green economy principles. Serbia considers these kinds of references and that partnership a privilege and does everything in its power to nurture and strengthen it. In the spring, in cooperation with partner chambers from Germany, we will present very concrete investment and business opportunities to German companies, first in Stuttgart and then at a large-scale investment conference in Berlin in the context of the changing global market.
SERBIA IN FIVE YEARS In five years, I see Serbia, first and foremost, as part of the common market of all six Western Balkan economies and part of the European Economic Area. I also see Serbia as a country with a competitive and modern economy and companies, well-positioned in the international market, one of the largest technological hubs in Europe and one of the most desirable European business destinations.
