1. Instruments for support to innovative and competitive SMEs in Serbia
Republic of Serbia
Ministry of Economy and Regional Development
Instruments for support to innovative and competitive SMEs in Serbia
Igor Brkanovic, Assistant Minister

2. SMEs – driving force of Serbian economy
99,8% of all enterprises 2/3 of employees 68% of turnover 36% of GDP 58% of GVA 64% of import and 50% of export 51% of investments

3. SMEs Support - one of the priorities in Serbian Economic Policy:
Strategy for Competitive and Innovative SMEs is adopted
Action Plan for 2009
The role of SME Council is enforced
National Competitiveness Council is established
Regulatory guillotine - creating more stimulating business environment for SMEs

4. Strategy for Competitive and Innovative SMEs 2008-2013
Aim
Development of an Entrepreneurial Economy, based on knowledge and innovativeness, which creates a strong, competitive and export oriented SME sector
Based on
Concrete priorities of SMEs
EU approach
European Charter for small enterprises
Small Business Act
Pillars:
Promotion and support of entrepreneurship and start up
Human resources for competitive SMEs sector
Financing and Taxation for SMEs
Competitive adventages of SMEs in export markets
Legal, institutional and business environment for SMEs in Serbia

5. Expected results More start ups which survive the earliest years of
business
More dynamic
conversion
of micro into
small and small
into medium-sized
enterprises
Improve
the
competitiveness
of SMEs and import
growth
More profitable
business
of SMEs
A more
balanced
regional
development

6. Developing a Culture of Investing in Innovation by SMEs
Pillar IV
Module 1
Developing a Culture of Investing in Innovation by SMEs
Measures:
Improve technical and non-technical innovations of SMEs
Support investments in ICT
Encourage participation of enterprises in innovation programmes of scientific research organizations and EU innovative programmes

7. Instruments
“Encouraging Enterprises to Invest in Innovation Strengthening Project” ,00 EUR
“Supporting Competitive and Innovative SMEs, Incubators and Clusters Development Programme“ ,00 EUR
“Cluster Development Programme” – ,00 EUR
Participation in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (EIP) and Seventh Framework Programme (FP7)
“Best Technological Innovation Competition” – ,00 EUR
“Law on Innovative Activity” - Innovation projects – ,00 EUR

8. European Enterprise Network
Main goal is to enable easier and faster access to information, advices, doing business on EU market services, and searching and matchmaking with partners from EU countries
Network will provide information about:
requirements for entry and operate in EU
export possibilities
public procurements and tenders in EU
new technologies
potential new partners
possible research and technology development and EU programs

9. Innovation infrastructure
Technological and Science Parks in Serbia:
Mihajlo Pupin Institute,Belgrade - R&D institution in ICT
Innovation Centre (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Belgrade University)
Institute Vinča, Belgrade - Energy, Nuclear engineering, Radiation, Atomic and Molecular physics, Chemistry, Biology, Electronics, and Materials
Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre at the University of Novi Sad (NOSIC)
Science and Technology Park Niš - ICT, System Integration, Informatics for Bio, Chemical and Medical applications, Robotics and Mechatronics
Institute of Physics, Belgrade – research and projects related to physics
Industrial Technological Park Vrsac

10. Clusters Development Programme
20 clusters supported from Overall financial support to clusters was about euros. More than 360 entreprises, with more than emploees were included
The strongest clusters in Serbia are:
AC Serbia, Automotive Components Suppliers Cluster
ICT sector: the Serbian Software Cluster and Integrated Electronic Systems Cluster – Embedded
the Small Agricultural Machinery Cluster BIPOM,
the Sumadija Flower Cluster, regional flower production companies around the city of Kragujevac in Central Serbia
The Agency for Wood –Wood processing idustry and furniture suppliers cluster .

11. Business incubators 18 business incubators The strongest:
Business incubator Zrenjanin
12 enterprises
ICT Sector, legal consultancy, creative services, education...
Business incubator Subotica
13 enterprises
Web design, furniture producing, engineering , creative services, automation services, fashion garments, diet products producing...
Business incubators policy development in Serbia
Business Incubator and Cluster Development Programme in Republic of Serbia for
Means of support
Business incubator support Center within RASME
Ministry for National Investment Plan
Projects and donors

12. Cooperation suggestions:
Cooperation of clusters and cluster members in automotive industry, wood processing and furniture industry. Exchange of good practice in developing centers of excellence and innovation in clusters. Cooperation with cluster initiatives in Serbia in textile and garment industry. Support in establishment of bussines services cluster in Serbia
Cooperation of R&D institutions and technology parks – exchange practice, common projects etc.
Knowledge and technology transfer between SMEs
Exchange of experience in establishing equity and venture capital funds for SMEs financing
Joint activities for participation in calls for proposals and tenders within CIP Programme, especially for eco innovation projects

13. Ministry of Economy and Regional Development
Republic of Serbia
Ministry of Economy and Regional Development
Thank you!
11000 Beograd, Bulevar kralja Aleksandra 15
Tel
Fax
gov.rs