AN AMBITIOUS PLANS ON STRONG FOUNDATIONS
New Members of the Family
Textile Cluster of Nisava District, Agrozem Advisory Service and Medianum Association have been admitted to LEDIB Cluster House family by unanimous votes. New members consist of large companies that are very significant for the whole region.
-This is very improtant, said Board of Directors Deputy President, Danka Milojkovic, MSc, as better conditions for business sector are created, so it can, in cooperation with SCC, City of Nis, University of Nis and other relevant institutions, create a better and healthier business environment and options to apply for tenders of significant funds, for the welfare of the whole community.
Ambitious Plans on Solid Foundations
The good foundations for support to clusters and driving development of the enterprises – their members set at the right moment through visionary idea on establishing Cluster House
More than a half of identified clusters in Serbia join LEDIB Cluster House
Cluster House, a business organization for technical support to development of clusters and business associations, founded through support of LEDIB, the Danish Programme for Local Economic Development in the Balkans, held an Assembly meeting on January 18, during which all the documents of relevance for promotion of activities in the sector of small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs were unanimously adopted. Analysis of the activities implemented in the last year shows that the good base for support to clusters and driving development of the enterprises – their members, was set at the right moment through the visionary idea on establishing Cluster House. Among numerous other activities, a special place belongs to analysis of cluster competitiveness in South East Serbia, implemented with support of the Danish mentors for cluster development, but also to adjusting of LEDIB Cluster House concept with realistic needs of cluster development and introduction of a new occupation – cluster facilitator, the training for which was done in both Serbia and Denmark- at the Academy for Clusters. Database of Cluster House, Union of Start-up Clusters, Opeka-Brick Construction Cluster and Textile Cluster of Nisava District was prepared as well. Numerous study tours in the country and abroad were organized, along with participation at fairs, international conferences and forums significant for cluster members’ business promotion. Textile Cluster also had a successful fashion show at the Business Base International Fair in Belgrade.
-All the activities we have undertaken since February when the Cluster House was established, are now, at the end of the year, being completed with definitely most significant, serious and demanding event of Cluster House – and that is organizing the First International Conference Days of Clusters in Nis –says Carsten Lund, Assembly President. The support we got during the two-day Conference from Serbian clusters and partners, confirm the significance of Cluster House and need for an umbrella institution, to be the cluster service and provide all the required logistics. Our priority is strengthening the sector of small and medium enterprises for presentation at more and more demanding market, increase of their competitiveness and visibility at national and international markets. It is worth mentioning, adds Lund, that Cluster House is a member of European Business Guide and a partner with Cluster of Tourism and Fund for Entrepreneurship Development from Sofia, Bulgaria, related to joint participation in IPA Fund Cross-Border Cooperation Serbia-Bulgaria projects.
In less than a year, LEDIB Cluster House achieved excellent results due to comprehending of importance this kind of assistance could have for increase of small enterprises operational efficiency, as they flexible and can adjust to new market demands. The proof for this lies in partnerships with Serbian Chamber of Commerce, National Agency for Regional Development, Serbian European Integrations Office, City of Nis, University of Nis, Regional Chamber of Commerce Nis and Union of Start-up Clusters of Nis District. Business partnerships have been established with almost all important institutions and organizations in the country and abroad, leaving an open door for international cooperation and new business deals.
- A special confirmation of the necessity to establish LEDIB Cluster House is that 17 clusters founded all over Serbia singed MoU – says LCH Board of Directors President, adding that out of 42 clusters in our country, 25 expressed intention in becoming joining members. Recommendations and success indicators are main guidelines for Cluster House activities this year, as approved by all the Assembly members. This requires a more intensive communication among members and better use of logistic and technical support of Cluster House, wider promotion in the region and public sector at the national level. Indicators of success have been measured by the number of projects and established partnerships with national and international institutions, implemented trainings, seminars, conferences and forums of relevance for clusters. I have to add, says Zlatkovic, that members of our clusters were granted significant funds for various projects during this year. They are very responsible and implementation of those projects in all the enterprises is ongoing.
LEDIB Cluster House Assembly was attended by all the members who have, through their active participation, shown willingness to make Cluster House driver of cluster and business associations development in South Serbia this year as again. The discussion that followed has shown that members identify networking with public sector at various levels as the most important need, in order to solve the problems they face every day in a more efficient way.
Source “Narodne Novine” Nis, S. Bojović
