INCREASE COMPETITIVENESS OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN THE REGION
29.3.2012
Regional Centre for Small and Medium Enterprises - Niš, with its partners in the project, the Regional Business Centre for small and medium enterprises in Pernik and Palilula Municipality, organized in Nis Roundtable discussion on "How to do business with the EU?". On this important issue for further development and cooperation of Serbian and Bulgarian entrepreneurs in the region, shared the opinion the professors from University of Sofia and University of Nis, involved in the project, and representatives of local authorities, Bulgaria-Pernik-Serbia City of Nis and Palilula Municipality. In particular, they discussed topics that will be the subject of training entrepreneurs of two countries: International Trade Law and Foreign Investment, Development of feasibility studies, insurance and risk of marketing strategy, the European Union, Stock, Institutional frameworks operating in the European Union, the European policy in the field operations of SMEs, European standards of occupational safety, consumer rights and protection in the European Union.

Vladimir Dodić, Director of the Regional Centre for Small and Medium Enterprises-Niš (project manager), at the opening of the Roundtable, said the main objective is to improve the knowledge of managers of small and medium enterprises on what are business rules in the European Union, on providing incentives for successful managers of small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs to adapt procedures and practices of the European Union as the best opportunities for growth and development of their business, and the establishment and intensification of cooperation between Serbian and Bulgarian SMEs. According to Prof. Igor Novakovic, president of Palilula, this project connects science and practice in the region and contributes to increasing the competitiveness of the Nis region by encouraging SMEs to implement innovation and performance in the EU market. Palilula Municipality has signed Agreement on cooperation with the Regional Centre of SMEs in the implementation of several programs. We in Municipality of Palilula, reminded Novakovic, after the adoption of Municipal Development Strategy and the Strategy of Development of Small and Medium Enterprises founded the Center for Development of Small and Medium Enterprises, http://www.palilulamsp.eu/. Professional team of the Centre is in daily contact with the owners of this sector, the information are forwarded to them and they also inform them of developments that are currently valid, funds, soft loans, subsidies for certain products. I'm happy that after so many years no longer have a quasi-speakers, the so-called experts who have in the past lectured not only to our entrepreneurs and workers, but local governments. We have turned to universities - the University of Nis and Sofia University. I expect one high level of teaching. According to Professor Igor Novakovic, the biggest problems for entrepreneurs at this time are "lack of procedures in the EU, especially in agriculture, lack of funds for lending activities to obtain certain certificates.

Implementers of the project of cross-border cooperation, worth 104,234.95 Euros, financed by the European Union through the Programme Bulgaria-Serbia IPA Cross Border Programme and covers part of the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria (Varna region) and part of Serbia (Nis District).