European business associations and bilateral chambers, representing enterprises with European capital in Serbia, have united to form a council, culminating in the signing of an MoU on May 14th . This newly established body will provide a collective voice and serve as a platform
for future joint activities.
The signing ceremony was attended by the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, and the Serbian Minister of European Integration Tanja Miščević, the Ambassadors of the signatory countries and the EU Ambassador to Serbia, Emanuele Giaufret.
The organisations establishing the Council committed to working together to support the improvement of the business environment, help make Serbia a more attractive investment destination, and support Serbian companies in doing business with European partners. Commenting on the launch, Commissioner Várhelyi stated: “EU companies are part of Serbia’s economic DNA. The establishment of the Council of European Business Associations and Chambers in Serbia represents a significant step forward in strengthening “Team Europe” an advancing our shared economic interests, which is to see Serbia grow its economy, increase the standard of living for citizens and advance on its path to become an EU member state. The private sector plays a key role in helping to achieve this mission.“.
Looking ahead, representatives of the newly founded Council, stated – “The launch of the European Council of Business Associations and Chambers of Commerce signals a new step in the partnership between European investors and Serbia. This new organisation brings together over 2000 European and Serbian companies, united in one goal: to help create the conditions to drive growth and prosperity in Serbia. We look forward to using the collective expertise and resources of European and Serbian businesses to help achieve this.“.
Furthermore, the Council will strive to further enhance trade relations between our countries and Serbia, all of which are from countries on the European continent. In this context trade should never be a one-way street; that is why, our associations are working on improvement in both directions: to Serbia and from Serbia.
There are estimated more than 2.000 companies with European capital in Serbia and they created more than 120.000 workplaces in this country. When it comes to foreign trade, European countries are the most important trade partners for Serbia – in both directions, when importing and when exporting.
The MoU to establish the Council was signed by the following organizations: Belgian-Serbian Business Association, Croatian Business Club, French-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, British-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Hellenic Business Association of Serbia, Italian Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Confindustria Serbia, Dutch-Serbian Business Association, Polish Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Nordic Business Alliance, Slovenian Business Club, and Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce.
The signing ceremony was followed by the first European Networking Cocktail which gathered over 200 guests.
To see more captured moments of this event, please click here.