BSBA / BSPA - bsbiz.eu · The BSBA, together with the Camera di Commercio Italo Serba, the ......
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The BSBA, together with the Camera di Commercio Italo Serba, the Deutsche
Wirtschaftsvereinigung in Belgrad (DWB), Advantage Austria, the Slovenacki Poslovni Klub
(SPK), the British Chanber of Commerce, the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie France
Serbie (CCIFS), as well as the Greek Business Club agreed earlier to intensify their
cooperation with regard to improvement of the business climate in Serbia and strengthening
trade relations between Serbia and EU countries. The initiative was given the provisional
name “European Initiative”. At this point the initiators, welcoming more European business
representations, have decided to kick-off the initiative as a working group which will focus on
SMEs and their specific interests. The SME sector needs more attention and support for
development in order to become more influential in the economic theatre in Serbia. The EI
will at start, in close cooperation with the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
identify and develop positions on diverse issues, related to the SME sector, with common
interest to present a single voice towards the Serbian government, ministries and authorities.
There is a long way to go but the first steps have been made.
Word of the Chairman : The “European Initiative”
Special points of interest:
Brussels
Activities
Our members in-
form
New members
Trade Commis-
sioner
Upcoming events
Newsletter April 2016 Vol 5 issue 1
BSBA / BSPA
Words from the Belgian Ambassador: Thank you for your condolences
Following the two terrorist attacks in
Brussels, on 22 March, leaving 32
people dead and several hundreds
injured, the Embassy of Belgium in
Serbia has received many expressions of
condolences. Prime Minister Vucic
immediately wrote to Belgian Prime
Minister Michel, and came to personally
sign the condolence book at the Belgian
residence, followed by several other
Ministers as well as an impressive
number of officials, diplomatic colleagues, business partners and other citizens. I would like
to take this opportunity, offered by the BSBA, to wholeheartedly thank the Serbian-Belgian
(business) community for this immediate, sincere and most-appreciated sympathy expressed
to the Belgian Embassy. Through tragic circumstances we have experienced a warm solidarity
which illustrates the depth and cordiality of our bilateral relations.
January 28th BSBA Happy Hour at the Epigenia Wine and Tapas Bar, Resavska 25
For the first Happy Hour of the year, the choice of the Epigenia
Wine & Tapas Bar seemed an obvious one: with its pleasant fire
place and located right around the corner of the Belgian Embassy,
the new location attracted 17 members and friends. For some
participants, this was a first encounter with our business club, for
others a moment shared with friends and exchange belated New
Year wishes. All agreed that it was a success, to do again! One
remark though: our first Happy Hour did not last one, but four
hours, proof of a successful event indeed.
Small and medium sized businesses
create about 85% of the new jobs in
the EU and will continue to be a
source of growth in the future. At the
BSBA General Assembly held in
December 2015, members were
invited to fill in a questionnaire and
put forward topics to be discussed at
future BSBA seminars. Two thirds of
participants suggested the issue of
SME’s in Serbia. This is why the
first ‘formal’ event of 2016 featured
‘EU support mechanism to SME’s’. Mrs. Milica Zatezalo, National Coordinator for the European
competitiveness program COSME for Serbia at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and editor in
Chief of the Exporter Magazine was one of two guest speakers, together with Mr. Marko
Kovacevic, Senior Adviser with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Bureau for
EU Integration and in charge of the COSME program. Mr. Kovacevic is also Coordinator the
Enterprise Europe Network EEN, a platform tailored to SME’s and aimed at facilitating their
access to various business opportunities. With their long term experience, both speakers answered
the many and diverse questions of all 19 participants. The exercise was a good example of
coordination between the Ministry of the Economy and the CCIS. The feedback received was
extremely positive. http://www.ebrd.com/news/2016/ebrd-channels-30-million-to-serbian-smes-
via-komercijalna-banka.html
Page 2 BSBA / BSPA
As part of the yearly Francophone month held in Serbia and
organized by the French Institute in Serbia, the French Serbian
Chamber of Commerce and supported by important French
companies, the BSBA was invited to participate at the round table on
the language strategy held in the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce.
After one minute of silence dedicated to the victims fallen after
terrorist attacks in Brussels, HE Ms. Christine Moro, Ambassador of France, opened the round
table highlighting the action of the International Organization of Francophonie as a model of
sustainable development as well as cultural and linguistic diversity. The ELAN Study on ‘Effects
on the European Economy of Shortages of Foreign Language Skills in Enterprise’ commissioned
by the EU Directorate General for Education and Culture, confirms the impact of language
strategies and the direct relationship between language and the trade performance of small and
medium-sized enterprises.
The average loss per business over a three year period caused by lack of language skills amounts
according to ELAN €325,000. In the sample of about 2000 businesses, 11% SMEs had lost a
contract as a result of lack of language skills. 43% reported to have increased their turnover by
more than 25% by introducing a strategy with new languages and for 73% SMEs sales turnover
has increased by a minimum of 16%. Mrs. Marija Tasic, Managing Director of Tasic&Partners,
and member of the Board of Directors of the BSBA represented the BSBA at this event, as well
as Honorary Ambassador Denise De Hauwere.
The round table highlighted the fact that the economic cooperation between Serbia and France
has not yet reached its full potential, with room for growth in the energy, construction and
agricultural sectors, and with public-private partnership as the most interesting and attractive
model for investors. Education of foreign languages in Serbia concentrate too much on literary
and linguistic aspects and do not pay enough attention to their commercial and technical use,
according to some delegates. On the other hand, the French-Serbian Chamber of Commerce
offers courses of Serbian to French speaking business persons wanting to set up a business in
Serbia. Whether future French ‘business’ courses will be offered to Serbian wanting to go
abroad, is still to be examined.
February 10th, COSME seminar –
EU Programme for small and medium-sized enterprises funds available for Serbia
March 23rd Round Table ‘Why and how should a company develop a Language Strategy?’
Vol 5 issue 1 Page 3
GOMEX
GOMEX continues with strong investment activities in 2016 with focus on
reconstruction and refurbishment of existing stores in the first quarter and opening
new ones (started in April). So far 14 stores have been reconstructed and 4 new
ones opened and the lease agreement for the next four is signed. The total amount
for both investments is about around 230k Euros. Beside this Gomex is opening
two construction sites in Zrenjanin, spreading store network and improving our
distribution and logistics capacities. The estimated investment in both warehouses in Zrenjanin is about 1,5 mil Euros. We are
continuously enhancing the number of employees, mostly in the retail department as well in other sectors and special services at
headquarters. With 44 new employees Gomex employs 1363 staff. There is also a significant Investment in vehicles and
equipment, especially in IT technology and solutions (to be launched in the coming months) basically related to e-invoicing, a
loyalty program and strengthening our relations with consumers as a main and final goal.
Metech
On March 31st, Metech received its umpteenth award, this time the ‘Capitan Misa
Anastasijevic’ award for founding and developing the Tree Trade Zone in
Smederevo. With a renewed investment of one million €, Metech launched the
start-up of a Trulaser robot, making this the first private manufacturer in Serbia
using this state of the art technology. And with an extra investment of 100 000
Euro a new E-break bending machine was acquired. Metech offered in house
training for its engineers; a new and sophisticated production is ongoing.
TASIC & Partners Law Office
Practical Law, the Thompson Reuter Legal Solution website, has published in its Q&A
section for Serbia, the Guide to Doing Business in Serbia, authored by the law office
Tasic&Partners team, as a part of its global guide Doing Business in 2016. The chapter
on Doing Business in Serbia is an overview of key recent developments affecting doing
business, as well as an introduction to the legal system, foreign investment, including restrictions, currency regulations and
incentives, as well as business vehicles and their relevant restrictions and liabilities. In addition, there are comprehensive
summaries on taxation and tax residency and intellectual property rights over patents, trademarks, registered and unregistered
designs. The guide is, also, a confirmation of the experience and hard work made by all the members of the Tasic&Partners team
that has significant experience in providing our clients legal advice and services within aforementioned areas - founding of
companies, representative offices and branches in Serbia, organizing registration, preparing drafts of general acts and other
statutory documentation, as well as the services and legal advice regarding the intellectual property rights, taxation issues,
energy and environmental law, contract law, including both standard commercial contracts and specialized JV, public and PPP
contracts.
There is a new website called 'Focus on Belgium' (see http://focusonbelgium.be/en ) with interesting news about Belgian
lifestyle, culture, science, international and business news.(source:Doing business in Serbia (TASIC)
News from our members
Law Office MARIC
At the board meeting of the World Federation of Consuls
(Fédération internationale des Corps et Associations consulaires
FICAC) held in the Dominican Republic, Mr. Rajko Maric was
appointed Chairman for East and South East Europe as well as co-Chairman of the legal committee. The World Federation of
Consuls, founded in 1982 to give consuls a much-needed forum to share experiences and co-ordinate efforts to enhance their
status and effectiveness and to bring together Consular Associations and Corps from all around the globe, has United Nations
recognition as an NGO with ECOSOC Status. Since then, FICAC has spread wide and fast. Today it has over 87 member –
associations and affiliated members. World Congresses and General Meetings have been held every three years, as well as
periodical conferences aimed to strengthen bonding among Consuls and to channel their experience in professional fields.
The directors of the company Elicio NV Ludo Vandervelden and Nicolas Brynooghe discussed in
Belgrade with the Minister of Energy and Mining Aleksandar Antic about development of pro-
jects in the field of renewable energy and the adoption by law for the implementation of projects.
Mr Vandervelden thanked the Minister for the efforts made to improve the investment environ-
ment and noted that the company Elicio ready to be-
gin construction of wind farms Alibunar Malibunar
and immediately after the adoption of regulations that
regulate the field of renewable energy, which stipu-
lates the adoption of the Energy Law. Minister Antić
stressed that investors have the support of the Minis-
try, that Serbia is committed to fulfill the commit-
ments to produce and consume 27 percent green
energy until 2020.
ELICIO: Ministry of energy supports green projects
News from other Belgian Companies in Serbia
The Nuscience Group, manufacturer of premixes, concentrates, mineral feed, nutritional concepts
and feed additives, is a key partner for feeds manufacturers worldwide. Nuscience offers a wide
range of products for feed mills, integrators and home-mixers. With its headquarters in Drongen,
Belgium where state of the art technology and infrastructure is applied, Nuscience has plants in
China, the Netherlands, Brazil and in Velika Plana, Serbia. ‘Challenge, Change and Care’ is not
only a sales slogan but also a philosophy for Nuscience: ‘Challenge: we live in a world that will
soon be occupied by over 9 billion people, a world whose resources are being run down at an
unsustainable rate. Change will and must come; innovation is needed to provide science-based,
practical solutions, and commercial growth will allow these solutions to reach an ever-
increasing portion of the globe. But sustainable solutions require care: respect for animal and
human health and welfare’.
Page 4 BSBA / BSPA
The Belgian company Reynaers Aluminium,
a leading European specialist in developing
of innovative and sustainable solutions in
aluminum for windows, doors, facades, and
sliding systems, presented its new ‘Master
Line 8’ system in Belgrade – a
groundbreaking platform which offers
absolute freedom and access to the latest
trends in the construction industry. This is a
unique system for windows and doors which
combines unlimited design options with first-
class performances, energy efficiency and
production speed. HE Mr. Leo D’AES, Ambassador of Belgium welcomed the invitees and Mr.
Albertas Jerusevicius, Regional Director and pointed out the importance of this region and
announced future investments. Reynaers Aluminium marks eight years of doing business in
Serbia. During that time they managed to cover the entire region so partners from Rijeka, Osijek
and Skoplje also attended the presentation. In previous years, the company has been engaged in
the construction of various objects: from cultural, sports, touristic, to residential objects and
private villas. At this moment Reynaers is engaged in early stage projects in the Belgrade office
park, the West 65 complex, hotel Padova in Croatia, as well as various other projects abroad.
Welcome to a New Member NUSCIENCE
April 14, 2016 - Reynaers Aluminium presents its new ‘Master Line 8’ System
This 5th of January was a great day for Jiway ! Jiway is proud to announce the opening
of their offices in Novi Sad (Serbia) with a new team of developers and a commercial.
Based on its strong experience with its clients in more than 20 countries, Jiway
provides full web business solutions! Our modular solutions optimize your authoring &
documentary flows and manage sales and marketing operations with your clients. The
team has a double background: they both know your business and have a strong IT
expertise. Jiway provides modular solutions that can be easily integrated into the
existing IT landscape and meets your industry standards. Since 2003, Jiway offers software solutions based on the latest
technologies in terms of development. It also provides high-level of services & support to its clients, from its offices worldwide.
Jiway (Luxemburg) in Serbia
From the Office of the Belgian Trade Commissioner
The Office of the Commercial Attaché, in
cooperation with Flanders Investment and
Trade www.flandersinvestmentandtrade.com
and AWEX- Wallonia Export & Investment
Agency www.awex.be organized on 17th and
18th of March a visit of 19 Belgian companies
to Serbia. After their visit to Zagreb and
Ljubljana, Belgian companies had the occasion
to meet their potential Serbian partners at B2B
meetings and explore various opportunities of
the Serbian market. About 100 Serbian
companies participating at this event. The first
impressions were very positive, so new
contracts are to be expected in the coming
months. After the B2B meetings, Ambassador
D’aes hosted a reception in his residence, inviting other Serbian experts as well as BSBA members. All were able to discuss the
general economic environment as well as market opportunities with the delegates and their partners and to conclude that they
returned to Belgium with new business opportunities on their minds.
Vol 5 issue 1 Page 5
Belgian Economic Mission to Serbia
MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN
The BSBA Secretary, Gilberte Delva will be contacting all BSBA member with a membership renewal request. Membership
can be either ‘individual’ for one member, ‘SME’ for two members or ‘Corporate’ for three members. Membership allows you
to participate free of charge to all seminars and working luncheons and to invite your friends and business partners to the Happy
hours (minimum charge for drinks and food). The BSBA, together with the Belgian Embassy, the Office of the Trade
Commissioner and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry will also organize a ‘Belgium Open Day’ event in November 2016,
inviting the large Serbian business community. The Board of Directors of the BSBA would like to thank its members for their
continued support.
Mark your agenda for 2016
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 19th : Working Lunch at the residence of the Belgian Ambassador with
guest speakers Mrs. Ana Firtel, Executive Director of the Foreign Invesment
Council FIC, Mrs. Ana Brnabic, President of NALED and Mr. Milan Petrovic,
President of the Serbian Association of Managers SAD
April 20th : Luxembourg Economic Mission in cooperation with the Chamber
of Commerce and Industry of Serbia
May 11th 18:00 : Happy Hour, VIVA Splav, Belgrade
June 11th : Outing Fruska Gora, with a visit to a monastery, a winery and
dinner in a ‘salas’
For more information on these upcoming events, please contact
Gilberte Delva, Secretary, Business Relations Manager of the BSBA at
The BSBA LinkedIn discussion and
information open group is counting
already 640 followers and not only
from Serbia and Belgium. We are
looking forward to meet you also there
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=4439388&trk=anet_ug_hm
Business Address
Beogradska 4
11000 Belgrade
Serbia
Redaction
Chairman
Secretary & Business Relations Manager
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