Economic potentials of Serbia presented in Switzerland

In line with its mission to foster economic relations between Switzerland and Serbia, the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce organized a seminar entitled “Serbia as your new business destination”, which was held on April 02, 2015 in the “Chamber of Commerce of Geneva”, in Geneva, Switzerland.

The seminar was an opportunity for Geneva-based companies to learn more about Serbia as a potential business destination, and to obtain detailed information related to the Serbian business climate, tax system and its most promising industry sectors. The aim of this seminar, which gathered approx. 50 participants, was to raise awareness about the existing business opportunities and challenges on the Serbian market and to enable companies and entrepreneurs from Geneva to start expanding their operations towards Serbia. Among other guests, SSCC was pleased to welcome representatives of the “Swiss International Airlines’’, “Global Enterprise Switzerland”, and many other prominent guests. Mrs. Alexandra Rys, Board Member of the Chamber of Commerce of Geneva, welcomed seminar participants and thanked to the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce for co-organizing this event. On this occasion, SSCC’s guests of honour included H.E. Ambassador of Switzerland to Serbia, Mr. Ruch, and H.E. Ambassador of Serbia to Switzerland, Mrs. Jankovic.Mr. Ansgar Bornemann, SSCC’s President, held an opening speech, emphasizing that Serbia, as the biggest market and business center in the Western Balkans region, was undergoing important reforms that would determine its further development. Mr. Bornemann described the Serbian market as a challenging one, “but despite difficult economic situation, it is slowly, but constantly growing. What we are witnessing now is the determination of the Government to implement tough reforms, which has been recognized and supported by IMF that has approved three-year stand-by arrangement with Serbia. This is another positive sign sent to investors, that Serbia is making the right moves, necessary for achieving economic stability”.

Finally, private sector representatives presented their experience in Serbia. Namely, five Board members of the SSCC, addressed both opportunities and challenges of the Serbian market, and shared their own experience related to doing business in Serbia, including:

Marinko Ukropina, Managing director SGS for Adriatic region, and SSCC Vice-President,

Xavier Davard, General manager Sicpa,

Adrien Alkabes, General manager Monterosa, and

Dragan Maksimovic, General manager SIKA.

According to CCIG, the seminar was described as successfull as it increased the visibility of the Serbian market among Geneva business people and gave them an opportunity to better understand its main characteristics, trends and potential.