Belgrade, February 27th – Five actions plans for business clusters from South and Southwest Serbia, developed by the European Consulting Group, have been presented to the public at the cluster promotion event, held in the Americana Hall of the Belgrade’s Dom Omladine.

A keynote speech was delivered by H. E. Mr. Michael Kirby, Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Serbia, who summarized the achievements and results made in this field over the course of the past six years. He stressed the commitment of his country towards sustainable economic development of Serbia, particularly through strengthening the SMEs and supporting entrepreneurship in underdeveloped areas. He also made a reference to the less obvious, but equally significant result – the impact businesses development has in small, local communities, and its contribution to the overall improvement of the living standards among the local population.

The cluster actionslika 1 plans have been presented by Mr. Danijel Pantić, Managing Partner of the European Consulting Group (ECG). He gave an overview of the expert research and business data analysis conducted in the process of action plans development, also pointing out to the common themes and organizational needs pertaining all five clusters. He went on to outline the contents of action plans and indicate some of the highlights of the proposed interventions contained in each, such as the creation of regional brands, strengthening cluster management HR capacities, facilitation of new quality standards introduction and initiation of multi-annual R&D projects.

The assembled representatives of the national and local government, businesses, business associations and NGOs were also addressed by Ms. Irena Bulat, director od Adizes SEE, as well as Mr. Nihat Ugljanin, a cluster representative and Mr. Miroslav Milenković, representing one of the clusters’ client companies. They have shared their experience of involvement with the project, and stories of successful business cooperation resulting from the founding of the clusters. The cluster promotion event was concluded with the official awarding of Certificates of Appreciation to the cluster representatives by Mr. Michael Pilsbury, Chief of Party of the Economic Security Project.

The action plans for business clusters were produced within the scope of the Economic Security Project, a USAID–funded initiative, implemented by Development Alternatives, Inc. The six-year project to support Serbian civil society, as well as small businesses from Sandžak and South Serbia regions has culminated with the creation of five business cluster associations. These are the “Asstex” association of jeans and textile producers from Novi Pazar, Prijepolje Textile Association, “Keepers of Tradition” dairy and processed meat producers’ association from Pester, Kopaonik and Golija, “Kostana Shoes” cluster from Vranje, and Presevo Construction Association.

The development and presentation of action plans represents the final stage of intensive business support provided to cluster members, as well as the concluding activity of the entire project.