The first Regional Summit of Business Associations was held in Belgrade, organized by the Business Club Stena and the Serbian Export Development Association. The event gathered numerous representatives from business associations, institutions, the diplomatic corps and entrepreneurs from 14 countries, with the goal of fostering connections, strengthening cooperation, exchanging experiences and opening new opportunities for economic growth and development.
Entrepreneurs from Slovenia, Italy, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, as well as Albania, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland and Turkey networked and exchanged thoughts and experiences.
Representatives of 20 business associations signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation, while more than 250 influential professionals and leaders from various sectors took advantage of this gathering to connect and explore collaboration opportunities.
“I believe that the need for regional connectivity has been present for a long time among most entrepreneurs in the former Yugoslavia, as small markets do not provide enough incentive for growth and make us weaker and more vulnerable compared to larger, more developed economies. The idea of bringing together and connecting business associations in the region emerged from this challenge, with the goal of strengthening economic ties and creating a more stable business environment. By connecting and collaborating, we can create a serious market that will earn respect from all. We plan for this gathering to become traditional because the importance of mutual connection is multifaceted, and we can define it through several key aspects, such as achieving common interests, increasing competitiveness, improving communication, strengthening mutual trust, and creating joint projects and initiatives. I am confident that connecting business associations can serve as a bridge between entrepreneurs, institutions, and markets, thus laying the foundation for faster economic growth and development,” said Aleksandar Bursać, president of the Business Club Stena.
Zoran Janković, president of the Serbian Export Development Association, emphasized the importance of international networking, particularly for the export of domestic products and services, which can directly influence economic growth.
“The business associations present at the summit represent more than 500 companies, employing over 50,000 workers. Therefore, I believe that exchange and cooperation among them will significantly contribute to the growth and development of the countries they represent,” said Janković.
During the Summit, foreign companies and association representatives visited local businesses, and initial collaborations were already agreed upon.
The most represented industries at the summit included manufacturing, construction, agriculture, energy, and trade. During this large gathering, important messages were sent about the significance of connecting. In face-to-face discussions, entrepreneurs communicated openly, and new collaborations and joint activities were announced.
Support for the Summit’s organization came from Wiener Stadtische Insurance, Adriatic Bank, Coface, Chery Serbia and Wizard Electronics.
