Founded in March 2014, the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (SSCC) has developed as a result of growing interest among representatives of the Swiss business community in Serbia, in fostering economic relations between the two countries, promoting Swiss values in Serbia and creating new networking opportunities for business professionals.
The SSCC is dedicated to monitoring and influencing key political and economic developments that impact on members’ interests by encouraging dialogue between members, government officials and the broader business world.
SSCC MEMBERS REUNION The SSCC’s
Members Reunion was held on 5th June 2019 on the premises of SSCC member company SR Technics. The event saw SSCC Board Member Yana Mikhailova present the results of the SSCC’s Business Climate Survey 2019 and lead the discussion about the local economic environment, after which two new SSCC members – Smart Point and Inspiring Culture Association – presented their business activities.
INTERNATIONAL NETWORKING RECEPTION
The International Networking Reception took place on 23rd May 2019 at Belgrade’s Crowne Plaza Hotel and brought together over 300 guests to exchange business views and explore potential future cooperation. Together with the SSCC, this event was co-organised by 12 other bilateral business associations.
SSCC-BSCC NETWORKING EVENT
For the first time since its formation, the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce has established cooperation with a chamber of commerce from the region, from Bulgaria: the Bulgarian-Swiss Chamber of Commerce. The SSCC was honoured to welcome over 30 BSCC member guests to Belgrade on 12th April 2019. Both Chambers gave presentations about their activities and involvement in the development of the dual education system in their respective countries.
ACTIVE EMPLOYMENT MEASURES SEMINAR
A seminar entitled “Programmes of active employment measures for employers” was held on 2nd April 2019. The event included presentations given by the following representatives of the National Employment Service of the Republic of Serbia: Biljana Jelenković Paspalj, Chief of the Department for the Professional Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons With Disabilities, Biljana Žižić, Chief of the Department for Employment Programmes and Entrepreneurship, and Ilija Knežević, Chief of the Education and Training Department.
KOPAONIK BUSINESS FORUM NETWORKING RECEPTION
A networking reception was held during the Kopaonik Business Forum on 5th March 2019, sponsored by SSCC member company Sky Express d.o.o. The cocktail reception was jointly organised in cooperation with German-Serbian business association AHK Srbija, the French-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, the Italian-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, the Nordic Business Alliance in Serbia, the Slovenian Business Club and the Croatian Business Club.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The annual General Assembly of the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce was held on 21st February 2019 on the premises of SSCC member company Roche Serbia. This occasion saw two members elected to the SSCC Board: Edin Dacić, President of the Assembly of Standard Furniture d.o.o., and Miloš Jovanović, CEO of Omnia Systems d.o.o.
SPEED BUSINESS MEETING
A Speed Business Meeting event was held in Belgrade on 5th February 2019 and included the participation of over 50 companies that are members of the SSCC, AHK Srbija, the CCIFS and Confindustria Serbia. All company representatives were given an opportunity to present their corporate activities to potential business partners, exchange information and establish contacts for future cooperation.
SWISS FONDUE CHEESE EVENING AT THE SWISS AMBASSADORIAL RESIDENCE
The Swiss Cheese Fondue Evening was held on 29th January 2019 at the Swiss Ambassadorial Residence in Belgrade, hosted by Swiss Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia and Montenegro, H.E. Philippe Guex. While enjoying original Swiss cheese and wine, SSCC members had an opportunity to learn about the art of making fondue and network with representatives of the business community and the Swiss Embassy in Belgrade.
BUSINESS MEETING WITH THE EU DELEGATION IN SERBIA
A business meeting with the EU delegation in Serbia was held on 24th January 2019. Co-organised by the SSCC, the Slovenian Business Club, AHK Srbija and the Italian-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, the event saw Matea Norčič Štamcar, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Serbia, and Yngve Engstroem, Head of Cooperation, speak about Serbia’s progress towards EU accession and EU funding opportunities in the Republic of Serbia.
IPR SEMINAR
A seminar on the protection of intellectual property rights in Serbia was organised by SSCC member company MSA IP – Milojević, Sekulić and Associates, held on 28th November 2018 at MSA IP’s Belgrade offices. A presentation was given and a panel discussion was held that included the participation of legal solicitors and MSA IP solicitors specialising in trademark and patent issues. The seminar included around 40 participants.
AUTUMN BUSINESS BREAKFAST
The Autumn Business Breakfast, which took place on 22nd November 2018, was organised by SSCC member company Confida Consulting d.o.o. and Gebrüder Weiss. The event included a presentation and panel discussion among members of the Tax team of CONFIDA Consulting and the Customs Department of Gebrüder Weiss, at which they shared their knowledge of tax and customs aspects of inward processing in Serbia. The event brought together approximately 100 participants.
SSCC CONFERENCE ON DUAL EDUCATION
A curriculum that includes at least one of 32 dual educational profiles is now being implemented at 84 vocational secondary schools in Serbia. This means that 23 per cent of Serbia’s schools are currently part of the dual education system, which will be fully implemented as of the 2019/2020 academic year. This was concluded at the conference Dual Education in Serbia 2018: Current Results and Future Challenges, organised by the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce.
SSCC PANEL ON DUAL EDUCATION AT AUTUMN VIVALDI FORUM
The SSCC organised a panel discussion on dual education during the MSM Vivaldi HR Forum, held in Mokra Gora on 27th September 2018. This forum brings together experts from business, social and cultural spheres, with the aim of improving business conditions of our society.
SWISS NATIONAL DAY 2018
The Embassy of Switzerland in Belgrade organised a reception to mark the 727th anniversary of the foundation of Switzerland. Ambassador H.E. Phillipe Guex welcomed guests to the Swiss Ambassadorial Residence in Belgrade, including senior representatives of the Serbian Government, numerous public figures, representatives of the diplomatic community and members of the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, other business associates etc.