Serbian wine and brandy producers are presenting their products at the International Wines and Spirits &nbsp;Fair "ProWein" in Dusseldorf held, from May 15 to 17th in Germany.
Supported by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and the Serbian Development Agency, &nbsp;14 exhibitors from Serbia - eight wineries and six distilleries will present their products and brands at the Serbian National Booth. 
ProWein International Fair is one of the largest and most important specialized exhibitions of wine and alcoholic beverages in Europe, where distributors and representatives of leading retail chains meet. The previous fair was visited by more than 61,500 visitors from 142 countries.

Serbian  Wines and Spirits at ProWein Fair in Dusseldorf

The "InterConnect" conference, held in Belgrade today, brought together representatives of 18 international and more than 80 domestic companies from the metal, rubber, plastic, and engineering industries in one place with the aim of introducing Serbian companies and companies from the region into supply chains of large European and global customers.

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InterConnect is organized by the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and the company Convestensics, with the support of the "Big Small Business" Project funded by USAID and implemented by ACDI/VOCA. The "InterConnect" conference has grown into a unique platform that brings Serbian and Western Balkan companies closer to the European market in the most practical way and includes them in supply chains, said Mihailo Vesović, Director of the Sector for Strategic Analysis, Services, and Internationalization at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.&nbsp;
"Serbia and the Western Balkans must present themselves as a region that provides an answer to the question of who we will cooperate with and who will be part of our supplier chains, which are those reliable companies that will be able to deliver equipment and parts on time and at the right price for large customers, first of all for European customers, but also globally," said Vesović.
According to him, Serbian and regional companies, in addition to their tradition and experience, can provide foreign customers with technology, as well as speed and quality of goods delivery. "In this way, we want to bring closer and bring down to the concrete terrain of business relations what is most important at the moment, which is to find the right place for the Serbian and regional economy within the European economy," said Vesović.

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Christopher Hill, Ambassador of the United States of America to Serbia, says that the "InterConnect" conference provides the opportunity to connect Serbian companies from the machinery and equipment sector with companies from Europe interested in buying Serbian products. "The fact is that Serbia will be part of the European Union, and the preparations for that are not only political but also economic. And this is not about politics, but about the fact that companies in the world want to shorten their supply chains and get everything they need for production from closer destinations. Serbia has a rich tradition in the mechanical industry and this initiative should inform foreign companies about Serbia's offer in that sector. "The most important job of the American Embassy in Belgrade and the American Agency for International Development (USAID) is to help Serbia become a part of the European Union," said Hill. 

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Matijas Loidold, director of the company Convestenics, says that today's event brought together suppliers and bidders in one place with a focus on the most important industrial sectors in Serbia, such as metal, mechanical, plastic, and rubber industries. "When we gather suppliers and bidders together in one place, that is the best way for the economy in the region to function," Loidold pointed out. 
Today, the conference gathered 18 international companies that are potential customers and that need to find suppliers and see an opportunity for that in this region. More than 200 B2B meetings with 85 companies from Serbia and the region are scheduled for today at the "Hilton" hotel.

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Uwe Ackermann, vice president of the Procurement Department of PUREM (Germany), states that they are participating for the second time at "InterConnect" in Belgrade. He explains that "Purem" employs more than 10,000 workers and has an annual turnover of over 6.5 billion euros. "The forum is an exceptional opportunity to maintain previously established contacts and create new ones with companies and suppliers, and an opportunity to expand our cooperation to other suppliers and achieve even better cooperation in Serbia." 

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Zoran Novaković, from the company "TPV Šumadija" states that they participated in "InterConnect" last year too when they connected as suppliers with partners from abroad, and he expects to make new contacts and agree on business cooperation at this year's event. 

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Vlastimir Vuković, president of the Executive Board of NLB Komercijalna Banka, says that small and medium-sized enterprises are the "heart and essence" of the economy of every country, stressing the importance of social responsibility of all companies and investments in the green transformation of the economy. <figure> <img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/Konferencija InterConnect 17. april 2024 (11).JPG" id="image-tag-1713363922510" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1142"> </figure>
The "InterConnect" conference lasts for two days, and for tomorrow, visits by representatives of international companies to domestic companies throughout Serbia are planned. 
Photo: Dragan Kujundzić

Global Companies are Looking for Suppliers From Serbia And The Region

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) and the Kenyan Chamber of Commerce (KNCCI) will sign a Memorandum of Cooperation with the aim of strengthening the connection of the two economies in the sectors of medicine and pharmacy, agriculture, construction, tourism, ICT and the metal industry, as well as in the field of engagement of human resources from Kenya on the territory of the "Open Balkan", it was agreed at the meeting of Marko Čadež, the President of CCIS and Dr. Eric Ruto, the president of KNCCI.Čadež pointed out that there is significant potential for improving economic cooperation between the two countries, especially in the sectors of ICT, health and pharmacy, agricultural production, and mechanization. "Serbia and Kenya can be good partners in the field of ICT because in this sector Serbia is recording exceptional success." Also, there is significant unused potential in the fields of agriculture, construction, tourism, and other areas. That is why the two chambers of commerce will sign a Memorandum of Cooperation in the following&nbsp;period in order to strengthen the economic ties of the two countries," announced Čadež. The delegation of Kenya, led by Dr. Eric Ruto, president of KNCCI, presented the current needs of the Kenyan market at the meeting and invited Serbian companies to invest in that African country. Ruto pointed out that Kenya, with its nearly 56 million inhabitants, is a traditionally friendly country for Serbia and one of the most important markets in East Africa. At the meeting, it was stated that Serbia can offer Kenya agricultural technology and machinery, seeds, fertilizers, experience in business digitization processes, services and products from the construction sector, and related infrastructure, medicine, and more. The delegation from Kenya will visit several Serbian institutes and companies in the following days in order to learn about the capacities of our economy and potentially agree on cooperation.

Serbia And Kenya Are Strengthening Economic Cooperation

Visitors to the Vinitaly fair in Verona, as well as professionals, can taste more than 240 wines from Serbia, North Macedonia, and Albania, and for the first time this year at this prestigious fair, our brandy producers and gastronomic specialties are also represented, says Marko Obradović, director of Marketing and Education Sector of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.
A special treat for both visitors and participants is the presentation of the Food Vision by Open Balkan event and the culinary specialties that have already attracted a lot of attention.
"Our goal is to present our wines as well as the "Wine vision by Open Balkan" fair, which will be held in November this year in Belgrade. Around 1,200 large buyers are in Verona today looking, first of all, for Italian wines, but our goal is to impose and present our wines," says Obradović.
He emphasized that the wine industry of Serbia and the countries of&nbsp;Open Balkan continue with presentations&nbsp;at world fairs. "After participating in Dusseldorf, we are here for the second time at the prestigious Italian wine fair in Verona, and after this fair, we plan presentations&nbsp;at wine fairs in London and Shenzhen, and at the end of the year in Shanghai," said Obradović.
&nbsp;Stevan Rajta, director of the Union of Winemakers and Winegrowers of Serbia, assessed that the appearance in Italy is very important for the wine industry of Serbia because it represents an opportunity for both small and medium-sized, as well as large winemakers, to improve their presence on the world market, but also an opportunity for our gastronomy and brandy.
According to Rajta, thanks to the cooperation with Vinitaly, we improved our performance on world markets, and the whole concept of regional representation of winemakers contributed to the breakthrough in South America, Western Europe, as well as Britain and China.
Journalists and professional visitors to the fair will have a unique opportunity to get to know the different terroirs and authentic varieties that grow in the Balkan vineyards at the masterclass entitled Discover the wines of the Balkans - Varieties and terroirs of Serbia, North Macedonia, and Albania. The masterclass will be held on Tuesday, April 16 at 10 a.m. and will be led by Igor Luković, editor of Vino & Fino magazine, wine critic, and judge.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of&nbsp;Serbia, with the support of the General Secretariat of the Government of Serbia, the Development Agency of Serbia, the Association of Winemakers and Winegrowers of Serbia, the Association of Brandy Producers of Serbia, and the Belgrade Fair, organized the "Wine Vision by Open Balkan" stand at the Vinitaly fair in Verona,&nbsp; from the 13th until April 17, where leading wines from Serbia, North Macedonia, and Albania will be presented.

More than 240 wines from Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania at the Vinitaly fair in Verona

At the opening of the "Digital AutoTech Forum", Marko Čadež, the president of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that nearly half of Serbia's top 20 largest exporters are manufacturers of auto parts and components. He also revealed that 50 percent of Serbian exports to Germany consist of products from the mobility sector, which is the country's primary export destination.The president of CCIS further added that over 200 companies are employing about 100,000 people in the Serbian car parts industry, supplying customers abroad and that car manufacturers are planning to increase their digital investments in software solutions by up to 25 percent over the next few years. He also mentioned that many domestic companies are already part of the supply chains of international car companies, and PKS's priority is to have even more of them. According to Čadež, digitization, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence, along with all the innovations they bring are crucial for a successful business. Therefore, CCIS and its Center for Digital Transformation aim to support small, medium, and large companies to digitally transform and introduce innovations to increase capacity, efficiency, and productivity, and become part of the supply network of car manufacturers. The AutoTechForum, organized in cooperation with Pantheon Plus and CCIS, brought together experts from the car industry to discuss innovations and trends in this sector. The forum provided an excellent platform for exchanging ideas and discussing digital transformation in the automotive industry. During the event, attendees had the opportunity to see presentations by leading experts from various areas of the auto industry. Thematic focus included the advantages and challenges of electronic business, digital transformation in the auto industry, innovations, and technological trends.

Čadež: The Industry of Car Parts and Components is One of Our Biggest Exporters

The presidents of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and the Chamber of Commerce of Kosovo, Marko Čadež and Ljulzim Rafuna, spoke today in Berlin with Manuel Sarrazin, the special envoy of the German government for the Western Balkans, about overcoming the challenges and obstacles faced by businessmen in the region.
"A little more than a week after our meeting with the American ambassador in Pristina, today we met with Sarrazin in Berlin to point out the problems that our business communities face in their daily work. There is a lot of talk about political problems, and we hear less and less about what businessmen have to solve in their field in order to work successfully," said Čadež after the meeting. Evaluating that&nbsp; in the field of political dialogue very little is happening, Čadež pointed out that he came with Rafuna to ask the German government to start working more actively with decision-makers in the Western Balkans, to revive the Berlin process and help accelerate the inclusion of the region in a single European economic market. According to Čadež, there are still a lot of open questions and unresolved problems, such as the inexplicable ban on the movement of goods from Serbia to Kosovo. For that move, Pristina has no understanding even in Berlin, but things are not being resolved, Čadež pointed out. "Both the president of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce and I are trying to motivate politicians and decision-makers in leading countries in every possible way and point out that it is very important not only for Pristina and Belgrade but for the entire European economy to seek solutions. We have offered the support of business communities to work together to remove obstacles, so that while negotiations are ongoing and a political solution is being sought, companies can operate normally, earn money, employ, and new investments can come. This is what we want," said the president of the CCIS. He adds that he and Rafuna share the same business philosophy, which is to work on the things we have in common, not what separates us. "And that was our message here in Berlin: Please do more, because you really have enough power, enough strength to do much more than what is currently being done," says the president of the CCIS. We asked for support, as well as to be partners in the implementation of all agreements that we have to implement in the Western Balkans, because CIFWB6 stems from the Berlin process stated&nbsp;Rafuna after the meeting.

Čadež and Rafuna: We Ask Berlin to Step up its Support in Removing Barriers to Business in the Region

Prof. Dr. Ursula Renold, the world's leading expert on dual education, accepted the proposal of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) to take strategic leadership over the process of stronger inclusion of the Serbian economy in the education of young people. This was agreed upon at the meeting of the CCIS’ president Marko Čadež, and Prof.Ursula Renold, PhD in Belgrade, where they discussed the reorganization of the role of CCIS and its 16 regional chambers throughout Serbia to strengthen dual education following the requirements of companies. "The economy of Serbia today has an increasing need for personnel who already have developed skills. Since there are no such personnel in our country, we have an increasing number of personnel from abroad. That is why we have to introduce necessary, radical changes in dual education. We have to be ready for the transition to the next level of implementing dual education", said Čadež. 
The transition of the economy of Serbia to a new level of dual education means changes in the methodology of the curriculum for the application of dual education, a greater role of the economy in the implementation of the program, a longer stay of students in companies up to four days a week.
The Serbian economy is also demanding greater responsibility for companies in this process and amendments to the law not only on education but also on employment, as well as the possibility of selecting students who want to study under the dual model. One of the requirements is that the professional orientation of elementary school students be significantly improved and especially intensive starting from the 6th grade.
Currently, 950 companies participate in the dual education system of Serbia with the support of 186 schools. So far, about 8,000 students have completed dual education, while many more are currently studying. The most sought-after educational profiles are in the field of mechanical and metal industry (locksmith, welder, industrial mechanic, cutting machine operator, motor vehicle mechanic), then electrical engineering (electrician, mechatronics technician), catering (cook, waiter), and others.

Čadež: The World's Greatest  Expert Helps Serbia in Dual Education

A delegation from Serbia, comprising representatives from leading tech companies will visit the “Embedded World 2024” fair&nbsp;held at the&nbsp;bustling city of Nuremberg, Germany, will host one of the most anticipated events in the tech industry, the Embedded World fair, from April 9th to 12th, 2024.
The aim of the visit is to explore opportunities for collaboration and investments in the field of embedded systems technology. The visit will highlight the growing interest and potential for partnership between Serbia and the global tech community.
&nbsp;Drawing in professionals, experts, and enthusiasts from around the globe, the fair will showcase the latest advancements and innovations in embedded systems technology. Embedded World serves as a vibrant platform for industry leaders, engineers, developers, and decision-makers to explore cutting-edge solutions, exchange insights, and foster collaborations. With over 1,000 exhibitors and an estimated 30,000 visitors, the event offers a comprehensive overview of the rapidly evolving landscape of embedded systems. One of the key highlights of Embedded World 2024 is the emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly solutions. Numerous exhibitors showcased their commitment to environmental responsibility through energy-efficient designs, recyclable materials, and eco-conscious manufacturing processes. From smart energy management systems to sustainable IoT devices, the fair underscored the industry's dedication to addressing pressing global challenges. The theme of connectivity will dominate discussions throughout the event, reflecting the increasing integration of embedded systems into our interconnected world. Exhibitors will showcase innovative solutions for seamless connectivity, edge computing technologies, and IoT platforms designed to enhance efficiency, productivity, and connectivity across various industries.
 In addition to the bustling exhibition halls, Embedded World offers a diverse program of presentations, workshops, and technical sessions, providing attendees with valuable insights into emerging trends, best practices, and practical applications of embedded systems technology. Topics ranged from cybersecurity and safety-critical systems to real-time operating systems and embedded software development methodologies.&nbsp;See all exibitors here&nbsp;<a href="https://fairs.pks.rs/embedded-world-2024/">https://fairs.pks.rs/embedded-...</a>

Serbia at the Embedded World 2024 from 9-12 April 

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia has launched a new digital service called <a href="https://inno-verse.biz" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Inno-Verse</a>, which leverages artificial intelligence. This platform aims to facilitate easier and faster connections between companies and the latest IT solutions. It is designed to bring together companies, startups, scientific research institutions, and the academic community to create new projects and jobs, share ideas and innovations, and apply them in practice. 
<a href="https://inno-verse.biz">Inno-Verse</a>, an&nbsp;artificial intelligence-based platform, is intended for a wide range of users, from students and young technology researchers to scientific workers, university professors, and development centers within companies. The platform was launched just a few days after the "BizChat" service and is the latest in a series of digital tools that the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia plans to offer to Serbian companies this year.
Marko Čadež, the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, said that <a href="https://inno-verse.biz">Inno-Verse</a> is a serious platform for collaboration that contains as many as 75,000 business models and a wide range of trends, from ideas and innovation to collaboration. He also highlighted that <a href="https://inno-verse.biz">Inno-Verse</a>is not the only digital project recently launched by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia. They have also introduced a new portal dedicated to digitalization&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://ubrzanje.telegraf.rs">"Ubrzanje"</a>.
Čadež also addressed the question of whether artificial intelligence will replace humans. He said that AI will not replace people, but those who know how to manage AI will replace those who do not possess this skill.
The ceremony held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia was attended by the President of the Serbian Parliament, Ana Brnabić, and the Minister of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation, Jelena Begović, PhD. During the ceremony, the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia&nbsp;presented a plaque to Ana Brnabić for her remarkable contribution to promoting the digital transformation and development of the ICT sector of the Serbian economy. Brnabić had been advocating for this cause during her entire prime ministerial tenure. 
Brnabic expressed her gratitude for the recognition. She stressed that her vision as the president of the Serbian Parliament is to have a more active role in the Assembly in transforming and strengthening Serbia. She wants the legislative body to be even closer to the business community. Brnabic said, "Together with everyone in the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, MPs, relevant working bodies and committees and parliamentary delegations, we can build a better and stronger bridge to the economy. We need to open the door for our economy, both for foreign investors and more significantly for the domestic economy. We need to support our micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, and family firms, and contribute to the development and strengthening of Serbia." 
Inovers is the Result of Cooperation With Austrian Colleagues
 "Inovers" was created by the Center for Digital Transformation and the Austrian IT company IN-Manas with the support of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, and the possibilities of this platform were presented by Dr. Franz Bajlom, founder and general director of IN-Manas, and Predrag Nikolić, director of the Center for Digital Transformation. "Inovers" is located at the web address <a href="http://www.inno-verse.biz">www.inno-verse.biz</a>, and it can also be accessed through the websites of the Center for Digital Transformation <a href="https://www.cdt.org.rs/">www.cdt.org.rs</a>&nbsp;and the Serbian Chamber of Commerce <a href="http://www.pks.rs">www.pks.rs</a>.

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The platform allows users to choose a business sector and areas of interest related to education, improving business processes, collaborating with new partners, and exchanging ideas. It's connected to relevant international databases containing key information on numerous economic sectors and innovations applied in the economy. Users can better understand their current business opportunities and export potential. They can also develop quality solutions to overcome challenges, compare their ideas or products to the competition, and design new ones. The platform helps companies save time and money by making better use of their resources. Additionally, "Inno-verse" offers a thorough "SWOT" analysis and projections of future trends.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/22032024 Promocija Inovers platforme (2)_960x639.jpg" id="image-tag-1711118466441" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1112"></div><div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/22032024 Promocija Inovers platforme (24)_960x639.jpg" id="image-tag-1711118482407" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1113"></div>

Čadež: We Launched Inno-Verse- A Digital Platform With 75,000 Business Models

French companies are showing interest in investing in Serbia, collaborating with local suppliers, and participating in the implementation of large infrastructure projects within the country. This was discussed at a meeting between Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS), and Christopher Petit, President of the France-Balkan Business Council within MEDEF, the French business association.During their meeting in Paris, Čadež and Petit explored the possibilities of French companies entering the Serbian market, establishing business partnerships, and purchasing local products. The model of CCIS's collaboration with their German counterparts will be replicated, and French and Serbian companies will be encouraged to collaborate on large investment projects planned for Serbia by 2030, as well as to participate in "Expo 2027".<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/1710754665910.jpg" id="image-tag-1710765537683" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1107"></div>
As part of their efforts to bring French businesses to Serbia, Čadež mentioned that a business forum would be held at the Serbian House during the Olympics. The event will be linked to a sports match, allowing leading French businessmen to watch a tennis match featuring Djokovic or the Serbian basketball team, followed by discussions on possible collaborations. In the fall, large French companies will be presented with investment opportunities in Serbia and Expo 2027 in Paris. CCIS will organize a visit for French companies in Serbia, where they'll have the opportunity to explore the local market, visit production facilities, and factories, and discuss potential purchases from various sectors, including IT, construction, production of building materials, furniture, and more. Čadež indicated that French companies from various sectors have already expressed their interest in investing in Serbia and a list of needs from one large company has been received. He believes it's time for France to integrate more closely with the economy of Serbia.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/1710754665936_960x720.jpg" id="image-tag-1710765525837" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1108"></div>

Čadež: We are bringing even more French companies to Serbia

The national houses of Serbia and Slovenia will cooperate closely during the Olympic Games in Paris with the aim of presenting&nbsp;the tourist, cultural, and economic potential of the two countries in the best possible way, it was agreed at a meeting of representatives of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, the Olympic Committee of Serbia and representatives of the Slovenian Olympic Committee which was held in Ljubljana. 
"Trade relations between Serbia and Slovenia are on an upward trajectory, and the cooperation between the two national houses at the Olympic Games, the promotion of tourism potentials, cultural heritage, and especially the presentation of investment potentials as well as matchmaking of the businessmen from the two countries during the Business Forum in Paris will contribute to even better cooperation between the two countries", said Mladen Đorić, advisor at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and co-chairman of the Executive Committee of the Serbian House in Paris.
The "Serbian House" at the Olympic Games in Paris will be located in the park "La Villette," next to the National House of France, the host of the Olympic Games. It will feature a multifunctional, creative, and original artistic display showcasing the sports history of Serbia, the achievements and medals of Serbian Olympians, the EXPO2027 complex, scientific achievements, modern technologies, and the&nbsp; Serbian economy. The display will utilize modern technological solutions to enhance the experience for visitors.

​  Serbia and Slovenia Тogether at the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris 

The Regional Center for Strategic and Political Initiatives, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, conducted extensive research and prepared a study titled "New Approach to the European Integration of the Western Balkans." The study aims to complement the existing approach to the EU integration of the regional countries by proposing faster access to the EU single market.&nbsp;
One of the authors, Mr. Nenad Đurđević, states that the study offers a comprehensive approach to strengthening the partnership between the Western Balkans and the EU. The goal is to accelerate the EU accession process and enhance regional cooperation.&nbsp;
"Our study comprehensively analyzes the past experience of EU accession and regional integration and proposes necessary adjustments, particularly in light of the EU New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans," says Đurđević.
The study suggests concrete changes to the previous approach of Western Balkan countries to European integration, as well as changes to the rules applied by the EU. "We propose the introduction of a new regional agreement for the automatic extension of EU rules within the Common Regional Market of the Western Balkans, focusing on specific sectors and areas. We have detailed proposals for amending the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with aim to progressively expand the rights and obligations of the Western Balkan countries upon fulfilling pre-defined conditions in order to enable efficient implementation of integration policies. We seek greater partnership between the WB region and the EU, especially in energy, sustainable mining, and critical materials. And of course, there is a need for greater financial assistance and support for the Western Balkan countries, which will be tailored to the needs of implementing the proposed integration policies," says Đurđević. The complete study "A New Approach to European Integration of the Western Balkans" and the “Policy Brief” can be found on the following link.
<a href="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/A New Approach to the Western Balkans integration_STUDY.pdf">A New Approach to the Western Balkans integration_STUDY.pdf</a>
<a href="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/A New Approach to the WB-EU integration_POLICY BRIEF1.pdf">A New Approach to the WB-EU integration_POLICY BRIEF.pdf</a>
Nenad Đurđević, advisor to the CCIS President
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Analysis: New Approach to European Integration of the Western Balkans

At the Chamber&nbsp;of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, a&nbsp;Round Table on Cyber&nbsp; Pathways for Women was held in front of an audience of about 40 representatives from university technical faculties, critical infrastructure, employers in information technology, and related associations, including student groups. On this occasion, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, along with Cyber Pathways for&nbsp;Women&mdash;an activity of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the&nbsp;Critical Infrastructure Digitalization and Resilience (CIDR) program&mdash;announced the formation of a&nbsp;multi-year task force to develop professional and academic pathways for women and girls to enter the&nbsp;cybersecurity profession.
The presentation covered the results of research and recommendations from CIDR, describing factors&nbsp;contributing to male dominance in the field of cybersecurity. These factors include decisions and&nbsp;pressures during childhood that steer girls away from technology-focused education, as well as&nbsp;workplace norms and circumstances that discriminate against women. According to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, Serbia faces increasing demand for&nbsp;cybersecurity professionals, as well as a shortage of women in this profession. For example, in 2022,&nbsp;women represented only 30.7 percent of students in post-secondary education fields related to&nbsp;information and communication technologies.
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Encouraging girls and women towards careers in cybersecurity could significantly help Serbia meet its growing need for cybersecurity professionals," said Naida Zecevic-Bean, Director of the Office for Democratic and Economic Growth, USAID Serbia. "We hope that the Cyber Pathways Task Force can help Serbia achieve this&mdash;by bringing together the knowledge and experience of relevant businesses, academic institutions, and government agencies."In addition to reviewing research and discussing workforce needs in cybersecurity, the Cyber Pathways for Women, Round Table influenced the recruitment of task force members and future partners in the development of the cybersecurity workforce.The task force will convene as a whole and in subgroups to develop cybersecurity curriculum and mentorship programs, as well as to address topics such as sociocultural factors affecting women's employment in cybersecurity and employers' information security needs.
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"We have a great opportunity to develop future talent in cybersecurity by opening the career field to those whose talents have been underutilized," said Sanja Kekic, Manager of Cyber Pathways for Women.&nbsp; "By increasing the number of women and girls in educational institutions and the cybersecurity profession, we will meet the future needs of businesses, government, and critical infrastructure and help&nbsp;secure our essential services from cyber attacks." USAID's CIDR program collaborates with partner countries in Eastern Europe to accelerate the development of the cybersecurity workforce, empower organizations to identify and respond to cybersecurity threats, strengthen cybersecurity governance, and facilitate the sharing of cyber threat&nbsp;information.
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