Member companies continuously enrich the content of the chamber’s programme with their own ideas and initiatives, creating an environment that fosters a stimulating climate for the exchange of business experiences
The greatest achievement of the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (SSCC) over the ten years of its operations to date is the creation of a solid community of members who recognise the Chamber as a trusted business partner, says SSCC Executive Director Ana Grujović, who has led this successful business association since its inception.
The number of new SSCC activities initiated and implemented in collaboration with member companies has grown over the years, focusing on the transfer of Swiss knowhow and best practices. These include the annual SSCC-Holycode working lunch on the Swiss start-up ecosystem and its key success factors, regular webinars on cyber security organised in cooperation with Sky Express, and the SSCC-Zuehlke Engineering seminar on agility and organisational transformation, among many others. “Additionally, the number of SSCC members with special status has increased and currently includes SSCC Gold members ABB, Novartis, Emil Frey, Phytonet and Sky Express, as well as SSCC Premium member Codetribe, which testifies to the establishing of long-term trust within the SSCC community,” adds Grujović.
What distinguishes the SSCC from other business associations and makes it attractive to new members? From which sectors do they most frequently come today?
Reliability, flexibility and creativity are fundamental characteristics of the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce. It has been developing successfully for ten years thanks solely to the continuous support of member companies, which continuously enrich the chamber’s programme of activities with their ideas and initiatives. Moreover, our member companies’ business activities are renowned for their high degree of innovation and commitment to sustainable economic development, providing excellent opportunities for the exchange of business experiences and networking.
Among the sectors that are most attractive to new members, I would currently highlight the ICT sector – from which a significant number of SSCC member companies originate, such as Codetribe, Prodyna, Interventure, Zuehlke Engineering, Holycode, Sky Express, Consulteer and others. New members also come from other areas of business, such as Swiss company ‘emost’ from Zurich, which provides clients with solutions in sustainable energy efficiency through mobile innovative generators (mobile Battery Energy Storage Systems BESS), or ‘AXPO’, headquartered in Baden, which provides innovative energy products and services in accordance with the needs of companies, enabling them to achieve their corporate social responsibility goals. Both examples reflect the SSCC’s focus on innovation, digitalisation and sustainable development.
What will the Council of European Chambers and Associations bring to its members regarding advocacy for improving the business climate, and how has the creation of this council impacted the internal organisation of the SSCC’s work?
The SSCC Board of Directors supported the creation of the Council of European Business Associations and Chambers in Serbia (CEEBAC) as a new platform for joint action with colleagues from other bilateral chambers and business associations aimed at further improving the business climate and representing the common interests of member companies.
Reliability, flexibility and creativity are fundamental characteristics of the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce
The creation of so-called working committees is underway, with members identifying their direction and priority topics in the following areas: Transport, ESG and HR. Regarding the internal organisation of the SSCC’s work, our board members closely monitor CEEBAC’s work and are actively involved in the new platform to ensure that SSCC members’ current needs are represented adequately.
Which SSCC activities would you highlight in particular for 2024?
I would highlight one event that I consider as being extremely significant: the celebration of the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce’s 10th anniversary, which was held in June and attended by representatives of the Swiss-Serbian business community, state institutions, business associations and academic and other institutions. On this occasion, the SSCC Honorary Member plaque was awarded to Yana Mikhailova, Nestlé Head of Coffee for Europe and former SSCC president, who travelled to Belgrade from Nestlé’s Vevey headquarters specifically to attend our anniversary celebration. It also marked my ten-year tenure at the chamber, and I must take this opportunity to thank all board members, currently led by president Ana Govedarica, general manager of Roche d.o.o., for presenting me with a special plaque for my dedication to the work over the past decade, which I received from SSCC vice president Majo Mićović, general manager of Sky Express. I would also like to thank other SSCC members for their heartfelt congratulations. The entire decade of the work of the SSCC has been marked by excellent cooperation with the Swiss Embassy in Belgrade, especially with outgoing Ambassador H.E. Urs Schmid, who has attended a large number of SSCC events.
The SSCC Board boasts almost equal representation of women and men. How important do you think this is when it comes to fostering gender equality in the business sector, where women still face significant obstacles?
The SSCC is being led by a woman for the second time: Ana Govedarica, general manager of Roche d.o.o., while Yana Mikhailova was the first SSCC president at a time when she was also regional director of Nestlé Adriatic. There has been a gender balance in the SSCC’s management structure for many years. Additionally, many SSCC member companies are led by successful businesswomen: Marjana Davidović, general manager for the southern Adriatic region at Nestlé Adriatic; Milena Gajović Shrestha, general manager of SR Technics Services d.o.o., and many others. The growing number of women in leadership positions at companies operating in Serbia contributes significantly to promoting a corporate culture of inclusivity, employee diversity and the creation of equal opportunities for all employees.