Component 1 of the ICIP focuses on creating a standardised model of business support services in Serbia and improving the business support infrastructure that will enhance the creation of more SMEs, and improve their survival rates and competitiveness. Under this component ICIP will:

• Map and assess the existing provision of business support services for SMEs in Serbia, with the aim of expanding a database of business support service providers, and including their public private nature, geographical availability and areas of expertise.
• Propose and implement a standardised set of services in the areas of information, training and consulting, to be delivered by a network of certified public and private sector service providers of SME support at national, regional and local level.
• Establish and implement quality standards for the delivery of Business Support Services.
• Create a system for certification of Business Support Providers who may then be identified through an on-line database.

Component 2 of the ICIP focuses on supporting competitiveness and innovation through capacity building of both government institutions and specialist Business Innovation Support Organisations (BISOs).

This activity is in line with the strategy EUROPE 2020 adopted by Serbia which promotes improving conditions for small businesses to innovate, as they are one of the key drivers of economic growth and employment. Under this component ICIP will:

• Improve the capacity of government departments to develop and coordinate policies affecting the competitiveness and innovation of enterprises.
• Improve the capacity and competence of Business and Innovation Support Organisations to provide general and specialist innovation services.
• Enhance the availability of web-portal based business information.
• Address existing barriers faced by SMEs seeking to realise their full innovation potential that might be subject of the development of new or improved programmes and instruments.
• Increase the awareness of enterprises of the importance of innovation for productivity growth and profitability.