Small businesses in Serbia now have a new platform for dialogue with decision-makers and for proposing concrete solutions. As part of the “Strong and Important” project, supported by the British Embassy, NALED has established the Small Business Council, a working body that brings together around 20 representatives from associations, organizations, and entrepreneurs. The launch of the Council was marked by the signing of the Declaration of Establishment, which is the first step toward creating a better business environment for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Serbia.
The Council’s task is to analyze the regulatory framework, identify obstacles in the daily operations of small businesses, and propose concrete measures to remove them. The focus will be on three key areas critical to the domestic economy: traditional, innovative, and women entrepreneurship.
The United Kingdom has long recognized that small businesses are the backbone of any stable and healthy economy. Our government is making significant efforts to develop a system where small businesses can grow and thrive. That’s why we are excited to support NALED and the newly established Small Business Council here in Serbia, which we see as a forum for new ideas and innovations that will lead to greater creativity, new jobs, and growth, and empower women entrepreneurs to reach their potential, stated Edward Ferguson, the British Ambassador to Serbia.
Minister Tatjana Macura emphasized that the launch of the Council is important as it represents ongoing support with a clear goal: to ensure that the voices of small businesses, especially women in business, are heard, respected, and implemented. “This is why, as a minister responsible for the economic empowerment of women, but first and foremost as someone from the private sector with nearly two decades of experience, I support any initiative aimed at creating a more stable, fairer, and accessible business environment. Today, we have the opportunity to lay the foundations of a policy that does not make distinctions between large and small, men and women, or visible and invisible – but rather a policy that understands that the growth of a small business can mean educating a child, supporting a family, and boosting a woman’s self-confidence,” said Macura.
Violeta Jovanović, the Executive Director of NALED, noted that the Council is not just a place for discussion but a platform for action. “Our goal is to give small businesses a boost – not only to ensure their voices are heard but also to allow them to directly participate in shaping the regulations that affect them. The Council will serve as a channel through which proposals and solutions are communicated to institutions, with the support of British partners and entrepreneurship allies,” Jovanović added.
As one of its main tasks, the Council will develop educational programs, workshops, and training sessions over the coming months to further empower small businesses, enhance their skills, and help them find sustainable growth models. Council members will be directly involved in creating recommendations and initiatives that will contribute to reforms and the development of the business environment in Serbia.
