STUDY OF INNOVATIONAL ACTIVITIES PRESENTED
1.02.2012
Regional Centre for Small and Medium Enterprises-Nis, under the auspices of Palilula, presented in Nis Cultural Center "Increasing the competitiveness of Nis, Pirot and Toplica region by encouraging innovative activities in the sector of small and medium enterprises", which is realized within Regional socio economic developmental programme 2 in cooperation with Regional Chamber of Commerce and the University of Nis in Nis. The project was funded by the EU Delegation in the Republic of Serbia. About the importance of this project and the studies discussed: Vladimir Dodić, directors of the Regional Centre for Small and Medium Enterprises-Nis, PhD Ljiljana Stanković, professor of Economic Faculty, University of Nis and PhD Igor Novakovic, president of Palilula Municipality.

The main objective of the project "Increasing the competitiveness of Nis region by encouraging innovative activities in SME sector", according to Vladimir Dodić, project manager, is the "support balanced of regional development in Serbia through the encouragement and support of innovation activities of SMEs in the Nis region." The situation in the economy is quite hard and has a lot of problems - Dodić said. Our team of experts-professors visited over 300 companies and processed questionnaires after a study that would provide the insight into the current state of our economy. The project lasts for 2 years and we plan to do in this period of innovation so that the result is the transformation of our Regional Center of Innovation Center. The project value is around 154 000 euros. The regional center is the developer and project partners are Regional Chamber of Commerce and the University of Nis in Nis. According to PhD Ljiljana Stanković, who presented the study, about 300 companies in our region is ready to innovate.

Innovation is equally important factor of competitiveness in the global and domestic market. Country's ability to sustain economic growth and competitiveness lies in the activation of innovation and learning. Hence, innovations are challenges for any business, especially for those who are exposed to international competition, said PhD Igor Novakovic, president of Palilula Municipality, at the presentation of this Study. Compared with developed European countries, the potential for innovation in private sector in Serbia is at a disadvantage in terms of approaching to market, funding and investments in researching and development of new products. In order to create a climate that will affect to stimuli to innovative processes, national innovation system has been operating as a complex system with a number of relevant institutions and sectors involved in government, financial sector, education system, labor market and scientific and technological organizations and research institutions and their activities should be aimed at achieving specific goals through effective use of public instruments.

Palilula Municipality has already prepared and Strategy of Development and showed the highest degree of interest about this Study. So on this occasion was also signed an Agreement on Regional Cooperation and Palilula regulating the implementation of two new projects: "Increasing the competitiveness of Nis region with innovational stimulating activities of SME sector" project and "How to do business with the EU?" both parts of cross-border cooperation between the city Nis and Sofia Municipality in Bulgaria. The value of these projects, according to Vladimir Dodic, the director of the Regional Centre for Small and Medium Enterprises is 250,000 E.
Research and development are a priorities for the European Union and the core of the Lisbon strategy, which rests on three pillars. Research, education and innovation are "knowledge triangle" that is expected to allow Europe to maintain economic dynamism and social model, and it suits the needs of the industrial policy of the EU putting knowledge in the service economy, social progress and environmental protection-reminded the audience of the promotion of the Professor Igor Novakovic. A new economic structure that is dominated by small and medium enterprises is established. Serbia strives to achieve the goal to be an equal part of Europe and a leader in the Balkans. This is obviously a long time and long way to go.