The conference was opened by Serbian Minister of Economy and Regional Development Mladjan Dinkic. He stressed that economies of the Balkan countries are developing thanks to the shift to market economy and benefits of the EU integration process.

He said that countries in the region must cooperate better, particularly in the SME sector, which holds a considerable potential for progress, and added that SMEs in Serbia create 60,000 new jobs every year.

The Ministry of Economy and Regional Development has devoted this annual conference on SMEs to challenges and opportunities which governments in the Balkans are faced with, and it aims to provide further stimulus to SME development with greater international cooperation.

Two aspects are most important, namely, better cooperation based on the already achieved progress and the removal of the remaining barriers regarding international trade and investments, which will lead to a reduction in economic expenses.

The conference gathers representatives of the European Commission and Balkan countries who will focus on practical ways for improving cooperation in the interest of SMEs in the region.
Assistant Minister for SMEs Igor Brkanovic said that all countries in the region need good SME development strategies and their implementation.

Brkanovic pointed to the European Charter on Small Enterprises as an example of cooperation between the European Commission and Western Balkan countries which resulted in an improved environment for SMEs.

The Central European Initiative is the main sponsor of the conference, organised by the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development, with the support of the Norway’s Entrance programme and the International Labour Organisation.

Source: http://www.economy.co.yu/eng/index.php?action=news&subact=full&id=615