DECEMBER
New Year 2023 Cocktail Party
JBAS held its annual New Year Cocktail Party to celebrate the upcoming year of the dragon. The event was attended by representatives of the Embassy of Japan in Serbia and the Government of the Republic of Serbia, who joined JBAS members and other partners in celebrating the end of 2023.
DECEMBER
Visit to Beo Čista energija
JBAS organised a visit to BCE – Beo Čista Energija, where its members were warmly received at the Vinča landfill site. BCE provided JBAS visitors with insight into the activities and facilities on site, as well as the processes used to minimise the negative impact of waste on the environment and to produce energy from waste.
NOVEMBER
JSFF Grand Opening Ceremony
JBAS members and representatives of the Embassy of Japan in Serbia had a unique opportunity to together watch the Serbian premiere of the Japanese film “Mom, is that you?” and to enjoy delicious Japanese cuisine at the exclusive afterparty that was reserved for special guests.
NOVEMBER
Japanese Culture Day
JBAS celebrated Japanese Culture Day, in cooperation with PwC Serbia, providing its member companies and partners with an opportunity to be part of the workshop on the topic “Impact of the EU ESG regulations on Serbian companies”.
OCTOBER
Competition Compliance In Serbia Workshop
In partnership with member company Gecić Law, JBAS organised an interesting workshop under the heading “Competition Compliance in Serbia”, at which Ivana Stojanović Raišić, an expert on competition law, delivered a detailed lecture covering many aspects of this important topic for representatives of JBAS member companies.
OCTOBER
Book “Kaizen – How Japan Succeeded”
JBAS supported the publishing of the book entitled KAIZEN – HOW JAPAN SUCCEEDED, subtitled Fascinating History, which was published in the Japanorama edition of the Serbian-Japanese Society BELGRADE-TOKYO and authored by Dragan Milenković, a famous Japanologist and founder of that society. The book was presented at the 66th International Belgrade Book Fair.
OCTOBER
Visit to the Chamber Of Commerce and Industry of Vojvodina
The JBAS management team and representatives of its 20 member companies visited the premises of the Chamber of Commerce of Vojvodina, in the company of Ambassador of Japan to Serbia H.E. Akira Imamura. Ambassador Imamura and JBAS President Goran Pekez were among the speakers at this gathering of over 70 businessmen, who included representatives of both local companies and Japanese companies operating in Serbia.
SEPTEMBER
Tsukimi
JBAS members, business partners and friends jointly celebrated the traditional Japanese moon-viewing festival, Tsukimi, on the premises of the outstanding Astronomical Observatory Belgrade. Following a brief presentation on this festival by Japanese language, literature and culture specialist Alena Spasić, a cooperation protocol was officially signed by JBAS Executive Director Oliver Lepori and the Astronomical Observatory’s Director, Dr Luka Č. Popović Ph.D.
JUNE
First JBAS Japanese Business Culture and Communication Course
In an effort to support its members in better understanding the mindset and business customs of their Japanese colleagues, partners and clients in achieving their business goals, JBAS organised its first course on Japanese business culture, encompassing four concise online workshops led by Ms Alena Spasić, who holds a BA in Japanese Language, Literature and Culture.
JUNE
Working Group Meeting Within the IPA 2017 Project
JBAS participated in the Working Group meeting within the IPA 2017 project entitled “Further Development of Energy Planning Capacities”. The theme of the meeting was the presentation of the Draft Report on Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment for public consultation, which was prepared on the basis of the Draft Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of the Republic of Serbia for the period up to 2030, with projections up to 2050.
JUNE
Vojvodina Premium Food for Japan
A food tasting event entitled “Vojvodina Premium Food for Japan”, organised by the Vojvodina Development Agency specifically for the Japanese business community in Serbia, was held in June. It was the final activity of the project “Enhancing the competitiveness of food products from Vojvodina”, which was conducted by the Vojvodina Development Agency and JICA volunteer expert, food sanitation inspector, Mrs Akiko Terasawa.
MAY
9th SEE Automotive Conference 2023
JBAS and its member companies participated in the 9th SEE Automotive Conference – Connect & Supply, which was organised by AC Serbia in Belgrade and included the panel debate “Smart Manufacturing: Challenges and Future Directions”. Moderated by JBAS Executive Director Oliver Lepori, panellists included Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V., Aleksandar Stanković, and General Director of Nidec Elesys Europe, Aleksandar Nestorov, both of whom presented their activities in Serbia and shared their views on the current situation and future development of the automotive industry.
MAY
JBAS General Assembly
On the occasion of the JBAS Annual Assembly, a UNDP Public Call was opened for the project “Innovative and Just Green Transition as a Tool for Securing Systemic Energy Security and Reducing Energy Poverty”, which is being financed by the Government of Japan.
APRIL
Hanami Gathering
On the occasion of celebrations marking the traditional Japanese custom of observing cherry blossom, known as Hanami, JBAS organised an extraordinary gathering at Sakura Park in New Belgrade. The gathering was supported by then Ambassador of Japan to Serbia H.E. Takahiko Katsumata and the staff of the Embassy of Japan in Belgrade.
MARCH
Inaugural Battery Conference In Belgrade
JBAS invited its members to attend the 1st Battery Conference held in Belgrade, at which they received insight into the present and future of environmentally acceptable solutions in the automotive industry. Robert Lukić, a JBAS BoD member and Toyota Adria marketing director, pointed out that Japanese manufacturers have an increasing number of e-models each year and that autonomous driving has already been a reality in Japan for 10 years.
MARCH
55th International Motor Show In Belgrade
More than 30 representatives of Japanese companies and corporations enjoyed a special preview tour organised by JBAS and attended by Tatsuro Masuda, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan to Serbia.
MARCH
UNDP Study Visit – “Inclusive Decarbonisation Project”
A study visit was made by UNDP BiH as part of concluding activities on the BiH component of the decarbonisation project “Inclusive Decarbonisation”. JBAS supported two of last year’s UNDP decarbonisation projects (Serbia and BiH), both of which were financed by the Government of Japan.
JANUARY
‘How To Make it in Asia From Serbia’ and Ninja Demo Day
JBAS members were invited to the “How to Make It in Asia from Serbia” event, which was organised by the Digital Serbia Initiative, together with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), within the framework of the NINJA accelerator programme. Soon afterwards, a Demo Day event was held at the Digital Serbia Initiative office, where seven start-ups showcased their progress after having gone through the NINJA acceleration programme.