Fostering contribution of the SME sector

to the FASRB implementation

Participating countries: Parties to the FASRB (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia)

Network between SMEs Sustainable economic growth Creating Regional SME Cluster based on bottom-

up approach Priority areas: transport, tourism,

environment protection, water management Identifying other potential competitive sectors

Table - Entrepreneurial activity in 2009 of the countries of the Sava Region

NascentEntrepreneurial activity

0-3 m

New business

ownershiprate

3-42 m

Early-stageEntrepreneurial activity (TEA)

0-42 m

Establishedbusiness

ownershiprate

42+ m

Business Discontinuati

on rate

Necessity driven motivators(% of TEA)

Improvement driven

Motivators (% of TEA)

BiH 3.1 1.3 4.4 3.9 3.1 39 20

Croatia 3.5 2.2 5.6 4.8 3.9 37 39

Slovenia 3.2 2.1 5.4 5.6 1.3 10 69

Serbia 2.2 2.8 4.9 10.1 1.9 41 46

Project participants are expected to complete the following activities prior to the beginning of the project:

The evaluation of the SME sector’s role in particular countries

Comparative analysis of the attained level of development of the SME sector in the region

Phase 1. Specific contribution of the SME sector to the FASRB implementation (duration – 12 months)

1.1 Contribution of the SME sector to regional and socioeconomic development

1.2 Identifying the possibilities and prerequisites for strengthening of the SME sector in the function of economic development of the Sava region

1.3 Analysis of possible forms of a framework for regional cooperation of the SMEs in the Sava river basin

1.4 Evaluation of the involvement of the SME sector in the inland waterway transport

1.5 Role of the SME sector in development of the river tourism1.6 Branding of the Sava river basin as an attractive destination for

the river tourism1.7 Evaluation of the involvement of the SME sector in the

development activities related to other water uses (e.g. small hydro-power plants, fish farming)

Phase 2. Active involvement of the SME sector in the FASRB implementation in the function of economic development of the Sava river basin (duration - 36 months)

2.1 Establishment of the framework for regional cooperation in accordance with the findings of the analysis undertaken under the Activity 1.3

2.2 Promoting the existing infrastructure of the SME sector for increasing competitiveness through development of entrepreneurship

2.3 Education and human resources development and more dynamic contribution of the SME sector to the overall employment growth

2.4 Drafting the life-long learning strategy in the field of entrepreneurship, fostering entrepreneurial skills and a culture of entrepreneurship

2.5 Providing necessary financial consulting services to SMEs2.6 Providing assistance to SMEs regarding their access to financial

resources2.7 SMEs involvement in supply chains of the large business

systems in the region

SME sector

Policy-makers

Professional community

Scientific community

Society

Financial institutions

Institute of economic sciences Belgrade

ICPE Ljubljana

Economic Institute Zagreb

Economic Institute Sarajevo

International Sava River Basin Commission

Phase 1: 400,000 EUR (rough estimate)

Phase 2: …… (to be discussed)

Project budgetProject budget

USAID

World Bank

Western Balkans Investment Framework

EU funds

PPotential sources of otential sources of fundingfunding