The greatest value of membership lies in the ability to influence. It’s not just about being informed — it’s about truly being part of change. Through AmCham, our members have the opportunity to engage in dialogue with decisionmakers, propose solutions, and help shape regulations that directly affect their businesses. – Vera Nikolić Dimić
In an exclusive interview for CorD, Vera Nikolić Dimić, Executive Director of AmCham Serbia, outlines the key activities aimed at strengthening member competitiveness in the past period:
“Our goal is very clear — to provide our members with concrete tools and knowledge to become more competitive, more innovative, and better prepared for the challenges of the modern market. We do this through a variety of channels — workshops, seminars, lectures — where we don’t only focus on regulations and market trends, but also enable direct exchange of experiences among companies. That often proves to be the most valuable part.” She adds that she especially wants to highlight the activities of the Digital Economy Committee:
“Through this committee, we help companies navigate the process of digital transformation. We work on topics related to e-government, digital solutions in healthcare, judiciary, commerce… I’m especially pleased that we launched a workshop series called AInsights, focused on the application of artificial intelligence in business — a topic rapidly moving from theory into practice.
The green transition is another important direction — and we’re seeing great enthusiasm among our members. ESG standards are no longer optional, they’re a necessity. Companies are increasingly investing in renewable energy, developing their own carbon-reduction strategies, and we support them through education and access to relevant resources and experts. For example, through our Responsible Business Dialogue, we organize events focused on new EU regulations and energy policy — direct support for businesses in this important transitional period.
I must also mention our HR Forum — a space where HR professionals from diverse industries gather. We exchange best practices and design educational programs not only for companies but also for young people entering the job market.
And of course — AmChamps. This is something we’re especially proud of. For eleven years now, we’ve been connecting young talents with experienced leaders through an intensive mentoring program. We follow their growth, development, and leadership journeys… And by supporting individual development, we also help companies identify their future leaders.”
Connecting small and medium-sized enterprises to global value chains is becoming increasingly important. How is AmCham helping build the capacity of local companies for international markets?
— Today, more than ever, companies must be ready for changes coming from Brussels, Berlin, or any market where they wish to sell their products or services. One key challenge right now is aligning with CBAM — the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, designed to tax imports of carbon-intensive products.
This is not something that’s coming “one day” — it’s already here. And many of our companies need to start thinking about decarbonization, even if they still lack the tools or support to fully implement it.
That’s why, at AmCham, we work to open space for dialogue — to involve the business community in consultations, seek realistic solutions, identify regulatory obstacles, and propose ways to overcome them. AmCham’s role is to connect — information, people, and experiences.
I’d also like to add that we participate in various events organized by the European AmCham network, such as the recent AmCham Regional Economic Summit (ARES), held in mid-June by AmChams in Greece, Turkey, and Bulgaria. This second summit was a fantastic opportunity to connect not only with colleagues from other American Chambers but also with company representatives and development and investment agencies from Southeast Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. I believe that this type of gathering will yield even greater results in the future, helping our companies access new markets and attracting more investment to our economy.
Gender equality and women’s empowerment have become priorities in today’s business environment. How is AmCham supporting these initiatives, especially considering the results of your latest research on the position of women in business?
— For me personally, this is not just an important issue — it’s a matter of healthy, long-term business development. Inclusion isn’t a trend — it’s the essence of modern leadership.
At AmCham, we’ve been working for years to empower women through concrete programs, mentoring initiatives, and leadership training. And we’re not just talking about this on panels — our members invest in developing female potential within their teams, and we strongly support them in that.
Our most recent 2024 survey — part of the “She Knows” project — clearly showed where the challenges lie: balancing work and private life, pay gaps, and cultural pressures. The role of men is also critical — without equal distribution of family responsibilities, women cannot participate equally in business processes.
Investing in gender equality isn’t just a “nice gesture” — it’s an investment in profitability and competitiveness, and we prove this with both data and practice.
Sustainability and corporate responsibility are playing an increasingly important role in shaping business strategies. How is AmCham encouraging its members to improve transparency and ESG reporting?
— Sustainability has become a business imperative, and ESG reporting is an increasingly important tool for measuring companies’ social and environmental impact. AmCham recognized the need for systemic support in this area.
Through our Responsible Business Dialogue, we’ve created a platform for experience sharing — organizing events with companies that are already well into their ESG strategies, helping others take their first steps.
We also hold workshops and roundtables to introduce companies to new EU standards — including sustainability reporting, green finance, and the circular economy.
Our goal is for ESG not to be seen as a burden, but as an opportunity — because what today is a smart move for reputation and responsibility will tomorrow become a key to accessing capital, investment, and markets.
AmCham membership offers many benefits to companies of all sizes and profiles. What would you highlight as the greatest value of membership today?
— To me, the greatest value lies in the ability to influence. It’s not just about being informed — it’s about being part of real change. Through AmCham, members can engage in dialogue with policymakers, propose solutions, and help shape the regulations that affect their business.
This is an active community — not just a networking club. It offers education, innovation support, sustainability resources, and knowledge sharing with top professionals from diverse sectors.