For JBAS, 2021 was the year when the sails of the ship of the Japanese business community in Serbia were reset to pursue a new direction, towards the extension of services, development of membership, empowering of the institutional role and building of capacities to further promote the values of Japanese business and new Investments in Serbia
MARCH
Meeting of the JBAS Board of Directors with newly appointed Ambassador of Japan to Serbia H.E. Takahiko Katsumata and his team in an effort to further strengthen the existing good cooperation between the institutional and private sector in bringing Japanese investments and Japanese business closer to Serbia.
Speaking in the meeting with our board members, H.E. Takahiko Katsumata, Ambassador of Japan to Serbia, said “the eyes of Japan are on Serbia”.
Investments from Japan are considered “high-quality” or “value added investments” because, in addition to the transfer of technology and knowhow, they necessarily include the introduction of good practices and high business ethics from Japan. Thus, special attention must be given by JBAS.
APRIL
JBAS, the National Olympic Committee of Serbia, the Embassy of Japan and the City of Belgrade jointly opened a unique park with Japanese cherry trees planted to form the shape of the Olympic rings in New Belgrade’s Republika Srpska Park. As a gift of JBAS members to honour the eternal friendship between Serbia and Japan, this park is also a pleasant area for sport, meetings and leisure, to be enjoyed by all citizens of Belgrade and Serbia.
APRIL
Seminar “What Makes Serbia an Attractive Investment Destination for Japanese Investors”, with Manpower Serbia, the Development Agency of Serbia and Mitsubishi Corporation.
JBAS supports social mobility and combating the brain-drain with a view to improving the country’s business environment and investment climate.
Japanese companies not only contribute to job creation, but also invest in the long-term development of employees and local communities.
Access to the markets of both the EU and Russia, a tradition of industrial production and the FDI support provided by the Government of the Republic of Serbia are identified as the three main pillars for attracting Japanese investments.
APRIL
JBAS, as the “first port of call” for new investors from Japan, participated in the online conference “Invest in Serbia”, organised by JBAS member Mizuho Bank, Ltd., honorary JBAS member JETRO – Japan External Trade Organization Vienna office and the Development Agency of Serbia.
This event was attended by a remarkable number of 374 participants, mostly from 280 Japanese companies.
JBAS President Goran Pekez underlined that JBAS, apart from being a family of Japanese companies in Serbia, also plays a crucial role as a strong and experienced actor in supporting investments in all areas and sectors.
MAY
JBAS held a cocktail reception to welcome new members and introduce them to the Japanese business community and Institutions in Serbia. On this occasion, JBAS gave thanks the Embassy of Japan, JICA and JETRO for their precious institutional support to our community.
MAY
JBAS members and the Japanese business and cultural communities joined the traditional Balkan Japan Bowl 2021, the Japanese language competition organised by Professor Divna Tričković of the University of Belgrade Faculty of Philology’s Japanese department.
MAY
JBAS, as one of the most influential investor community organisations, shared its views on the investment climate in Serbia at the Kopaonik Business Forum. JBAS President Goran Pekez emphasised that Serbia is presently in the limelight of Japanese investors and suggested further recommendations aimed at improving the business environment, including the development of human resources and employee mobility, as well as the need to adopt clearly targeted strategies for particular industries.
JUNE
The JBAS summer gathering in New Belgrade’s Sakura Park introduced Japanese culinary specialities, with Japanese Embassy chef Mr Otsuka preparing famous Japanese Yakitori. This was also the first time he’d ever cooked at an event for the public in Serbia.
SEPTEMBER
The International Networking Reception saw 12 bilateral chambers and alliances operating in Serbia host representatives of their member companies. By disregarding the boundaries of the countries or regions represented by each of these chambers, JBAS created an opportunity for its members to explore cooperation and growth opportunities.
OCTOBER
A JICA-supported business mission to the Serbian City and Municipality of Niš provided an opportunity for participants to learn from their cordial hosts – Niš Mayor Dragana Sotirovski, Science Technology Park Niš, the University of Niš and the Naissus Business Club – about the fantastic potential to develop the business of Japanese companies and expert resources available in this part of Serbia.
OCTOBER
JBAS participated in the annual meeting of the Serbian Automotive Cluster as a special guest, in order to keep upto- date with current developments in the automotive sector by highlighting the important contribution of Japanese tech companies in every single segment of this industry that’s crucial to Serbian exports.
NOVEMBER
JBAS supported an event dedicated to data pseudonymization for compliant data (internal & external) in the finance/banking sector, which was jointly organised by companies Ingram Micro and Hitachi Vantara.
DECEMBER
JBAS participated in The Economist: The World in 2022 conference, which was held at the National Assembly of Serbia.
DECEMBER
JBAS held its annual gala reception to jointly celebrate the 2021 business year with the Japanese Embassy in Serbia, Jetro and JICA, as well as the entire Japanese business community.
