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CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT
Cluster development is one of the EU's main tools for improving regional competitiveness and stimulating innovation in European enterprises. Clusters of companies concentrated in Europe's regions are encouraged to collaborate on tackling common challenges by sharing ideas and resources and participating in joint projects co-funded by the EU's. These projects help companies to form links with academia and R&D institutes, and to innovate and bring new ideas to market. Whereas companies in developed economies have experiences of many decades of inter-firm networking and cooperation, inter-firm cooperation in SE Europe was disrupted over as a result of changes that took place over the past decades. Today's industrial landscape is significantly different from that of the 80s. Conglomerates of state directed firms collapsed and disintegrated into restructured and new enterprises, which need to adapt themselves to new ways of operating and co-operating in highly competitive markets. Though some of the ideas of inter-firm cooperation and collaboration with partnering institutions appear not to be entirely new to these enterprises, most are challenged in organizing themselves to adapt to today's markets. SECEP's task is to support them in this process.
SECEP's Cluster development has been taking place since summer 2010 through assistance dedicated to six targeted clusters as well as through a broader range of activities provided to all Serbian clusters interested in participating in SECEP's Clusters Network Serbia events.
All clusters were selected by institutional beneficiaries after SECEP's analyses into their size, potential for growth and impact on local economies. The investigations were based on qualitative evaluations of existing "organized" clusters of companies, as well as quantitative analysis of geographical industry distributions based on the so called Three Star Methodology favoured by the European Cluster Observatory. The results of the Three Star analyses were subsequently applied to identify opportunities for the development of cluster initiatives in which locally based companies and partnering institutions, including regional development agencies, academia and R&D institutes, could combine to undertake competitiveness building activities.
The six targeted clusters are:
- Nis Advanced Technologies cluster (Ni-CAT)
- ICT Network (which is the amalgamation of the Serbian Software and Embedded clusters) including companies concentrated in and around Belgrade and from Vojvodina
- Fashion and Apparel cluster.(FACTS) including companies from various locations of Serbia including West Serbia
- Automotive cluster Serbia including companies concentrated in Central Serbia as well as in other parts of Serbia
- Serbian Furniture cluster including companies located in Southern and Central Serbia
- Knowledge Intensive Services for Agriculture cluster initiative (KISA) concentrated in Vojvodina
All clusters are registered in accordance with the Law on Associations with the exception of KISA, which is still in the embryonic stage of development. All clusters were formed during the past 5 years with the exception of AC Serbia as well as the two clusters now amalgamated under ICT Network.
The targeted clusters are being supported by SECEP's experts to develop institutionally capacity and managerial competencies to implement competitiveness-building action plans involving the enterprises and their partnering organizations. Though differing from cluster to cluster, SECEP's work with the clusters has many commonalities including:
- Development of cluster management capacity
- Development of members services
- Resource sharing and joint-procurement of materials and services to achieve economies of scale
- Participation in projects co-funded by the Ministry of Economy & Regional Development and SIEPA
- Development of closer ties with academia and R&D institutes
- Participation in trainings and workshops aimed at introduced good practices in innovation management
Although not tasked to provide dedicated support to more than the six targeted clusters, SECEP is also working with other clusters from around Serbia by including them in Cluster Network Serbia events. These events are designed to transfer know-how on cluster management and to help participants share their experiences. SECEP organizes trainings on cluster management topics that have been found to be common to the needs of all clusters, whether in advanced EU economies or in emerging markets. The Project has also established a number of cluster experience exchange groups covering Knowledge Intensive Services, Wood & Furniture, Automotive, Textiles & Apparel.
Clusters that have participated in Clusters Network Serbia events include:
- BIPOM agricultural machinery cluster
- Wood Agency
- Flower Cluster Sumadija
- Building Cluster Kragujevac
- RECraft cluster
- Film In
- Serbia Organica
- Central Serbia Automotive Cluster Kragujevac
- Asstex textile cluster Novi Pazar
Thus, in working with the six targeted cluster, and those participating in Cluster Network Serbia events, SECEP has covered many of the industrial sectors making a significant contribution or have potential for adding to economic growth and increase of exports.
SECEP's work on cluster development has a beneficiary institutional capacity building aspect. The Project aims to transfer experiences and know-how on cluster development to beneficiary institutions. Consequently it involves business support organizations from the NARD network, namely the Regional Development and SME Agencies, and regional chambers within the Serbian Chamber of Commerce's network, in cluster development initiatives. All the targeted clusters are partnered with either or both of the latter mentioned networks through RDAs or local chambers. Thus, for example, ICT Network works closely with the RDA in Belgrade and NiCAT has the support of the Nis Chamber of Commerce as well as the local RDA etc. As part of its capacity development and institutional strengthening work, SECEP has included NARD network and Serbian Chamber network representatives in workshops and trainings focused on aspects of cluster development, innovation and technology transfer, cluster experience exchange groups.
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Clusters - presentations 1
Clusters - presentations 2
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NEWS
Press Release
EU Support to Make Serbian Companies More Competitive
Belgrade, November 15, 2011
The European Union has, through its project Support to Enterprise Competitiveness and Export Promotion (SECEP), organised the final Meet the Buyer event in Belgrade as practical support to Serbian companies to enter global supply chains. More than 20 foreign companies, including multinationals such as Coca-Cola, Ball Packaging, Schneider Electric, Dehlaize, interested in making contacts with Serbian suppliers will be represented at this event.
With this final event, SECEP, an EU funded project of a total budget of €3.5 million, is nearing its end. The project is supported by the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development, SIEPA, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and National Agency for Regional Development. SECEP’s overall objective is to improve the international competitiveness and export performance of SMEs in Serbia by supporting the development of a market economy and socio-economic cohesion in the country.
A key component of the project was to develop a supplier development programme. Meet the buyer events especially are a unique opportunity to support the development of Serbian suppliers. Starting with the first in May 2010, the SECEP project has organised 4 "Meet the Buyer" events, with two in Belgrade and Kragujevac respectively. The first three events provided opportunities for over 300 local companies to meet international buyers in person, to see their purchasing requirements and to begin the process leading to business negotiations. Through these events, Serbian SMEs have a better understanding of meeting supply requirements of multinational corporations by meeting face to face with prospective buyers.
In addition, the project has conducted a series of individual in company assessments and business improvement projects. It has provided consultant support and organised workshops tailored to the specific needs of more than 80 Serbian SMEs engaged in SECEP's supplier development programme. 50 of these have received intensive support to enhance management and production skills to improve their position in the supply chains.
The other key component of the project was to build and develop business clusters to help companies become more competitive and promote exports. The SECEP project targeted as six prioritised clusters in the following sectors: Information Technology, Furniture, Mechatronics, Fashion & Apparel, Automotive, and Knowledge Intensive Services for Agriculture. Clusters have established n linkage with CEFTA and EU business networks, which will improved their ability to network outside of Serbia.
The EU remains committed in supporting Serbian businesses and especially SMEs in boosting their competitiveness on national and international markets, as part of the overall goal to help Serbia develop a strong market economy. So far, the EU has invested close to €60 million for projects related to Serbian SMEs (including €20 million in direct credit lines). At the moment, tree EU funded projects (with total value of €14.4 million) with focus on new financial instruments and institutional support to innovation and competitiveness of the SMEs are ongoing.
MEET THE BUYER - November 15, 2011
How to export to... Switzerland and EU with SIPPO support and the UK market
SECEP organizes this event in ZIRA hotel, for more information please follow the link
Workshop - Technology Transfer and Technology Brokerage
 EU funded ICIP and SECEP gathered over 40 participants from organizations that support innovation for a workshop to explore technology transfer and technology brokerage activities. Participants attended from across Serbia and included representative of Cluster R&D partners, Innovation Centers, Business Technology Incubators and Regional Support Agencies & Centers.
The two day event was held at the Serbian Intellectual Property Office and included a session on IPR in Universities from the IPO representative of the EU project to set up a Technology Transfer Office at the University of Belgrade. Topics under discussion included the development of expert databases, knowledge transfer partnership and innovation networks to support innovation in enterprises and processes and structures to assist commercialization of academic research from the knowledge base.
Experts from ICIP and SECEP were joined by Serbian speakers who showcased local examples of developing support activities including the Serbian Business Angel Network, spinout incubation in Novi Sad and knowledge exchange programmes from CTC / University of Kragujevac.
http://www.zis.gov.rs/sr/pdf/newsletter2
http://www.zis.gov.rs/sr/pdf/newsletter5
Second Workshop for Exporters Network
Second workshop devoted to exporters and companies that participate in the SECEP’s project will take place on Tuesday, May 17 in Belgrade. There will be presented results of the research conducted in the field of exporters’ markets and presentations about conditions for appearing on international markets, how to select the best market option, how to identify the best buyer and will be conducted an exercise with on-line tool with the assistance of Mr. Aleksandar Jovanovic, certified expert for market research.
In the second part there will be a presentation by SECEP’s consultant Ms. Ana Trbovic of the results of the survey that SECEP conducted in the past couple of months with the aim to determine exporters’ needs. This will be followed by a cocktail and networking event where discussion about the results and next steps that SECEP will undertake to address the needs of the exporters identified in the survey will take place in more relaxed atmosphere.
The workshop will start at 10 a.m. in the oremises of the Belgrade hotel “Crystal” (St. Internacionalnih brigada, 6). For all information please contact petrovic@secep.rs.
SECEP’s Support to Furniture Cluster (May 13, 2011 – Nis)
 The SECEP Project organizes a workshop „Building Strategic Clusters in the Republic of Serbia“for companies and business support organisations from the Southern Serbia that participate in the furniture cluster. The workshop will take place in Nis, at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture on May 13, 2011.
It is expected that 15 companies, 5 business support organisations and 20 students will take place at this unique inter-cluster workshop. This is going to be the first time that the Southern and Central furniture company groupings- that will constitute the Serbian furniture cluster – are brought together in one place.
There will be delivered a presentation on design by a renowned Italian furniture designer that should lead to SECEP's creation of a cluster furniture collection that would be promoted abroad at the end of 2011.
For more info please contact SECEP Team.
Presentation of FACTIS Cluster
Belgrade, April 15, 2011 – Serbian fashion industry cluster Fashion Ashion Apparel Cluster Serbia – FACTS made the public presentation of its activities and members at the press conference in Belgrade’s Media Center. FACTIS Cluster Manager Sladjana Milojevic introduced some major results achieved by this innovative industrial cluster.
Participants at this presentation were: Zorica Maric Senior Advisor in the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development, Goran Dzafic, Assistant Director of SIEPA and Andrzej Schafernaker Team Leader of the EU funded project “Support to Enterprise Competitiveness and Export Promotion”.
Schafernaker stressed the importance of cluster initiatives as major tool to obtain competitiveness of small and medium enterprises and participation of companies, Government and business associations in development and research projects.
SECEP’s Support to EMC Project Preparation
 SECEP Team supported preparation of the EMC project which is funded by the European Union through the Regional Socio-Economic Developement Programme (RSEDP) II. Grant contract was signed with the Institute Mihailo Pupin, as the lead parnter of the project. Total value of the project is EUR 1 million. The project’s implementation started on February 17th, 2011 and will last 20.
Beside the Institute „Mihajlo Pupin“, the following institutions are partners on the project: ICT Network Industry Cluster, School of Electrical Engineering on the University of Belgrade and Regional Centre for development of SMEs and enterpreneurship Belgrade.
The project is also supported by: Directorate of Measures and Precious Metals, Accreditation Board of Serbia and TÜV SÜD Sava. These organisations are associated partners of the project and their main role is to give institutional support during realisation of the project.
The main objective of the project is to improve competitiveness of the Serbian ICT industry through the establishment of the facility for EMC product testing. Along with the main objective of the project, specific goals of the project are:
- Increasing employment level in the ICT industry, especially of young highly educated professionals
- Improving competitiveness of other industry sectors through implementation of local high quality electronic solutions
- Creating the opportunity for product testing in industry ICT Network Industry cluster according to the electromagnetic compatibility standard.
Expected results of the project are increase of competitiveness of Serbian industry through the improvement of quality of ICT industry in Serbia, ICT Network Industry Cluster and local institutions in Serbia.
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