Business Friendly. Serbia. Invest in Serbia Best Commodity and Corporate Brands Best Technological Innovations

Transcription

1 Business Friendly Serbia Invest in Serbia Best Commodity and Corporate Brands Best Technological Innovations

2 Ten Reasons to Invest in Serbia 4

3 Invest in Serbia Best Commodity and Corporate Brands Best Technological Innovations

4 Ten Reasons to Invest in Serbia Invest in Serbia 3

5 Ten Reasons to Invest in Serbia 1. Political stability, commitment to European integration and strengthening of regional cooperation 2. Commitment of the Serbian Government to reforms focused on the development of the economy preservation of macroeconomic stability and ensuring stable, predictable and stimulating environment for investment and business operations for the purpose of accelerating economic growth and the creation of new jobs 3. Ideal geographical position between East and West, in the heart of Southeast Europe for production, service and logistics 4. Functional infrastructure: transport, energy, telecommunications... 5

6 Ten Reasons to Invest in Serbia 5. Duty free export of goods produced in Serbia to the market of almost 800 million people on the basis of free trade agreements (Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU, Free Trade Agreements with Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Turkey, CEFTA, EFTA) and other benefits on the basis of bilateral agreements and arrangements with many countries on all continents 6. Fast company registration 7. Encouraging investment regime (legal security, national treatment of foreign investors and the possibility of repatriation of capital) and favourable tax system Lower tax rates than at competing investment destinations: general VAT rate in Serbia is 20 percent, income tax for citizens is 10 percent and profit tax is 15 percent with a proportionate exemption from this tax for investments in fixed assets larger than EUR 8.5 million and employment of at least 100 workers Electronic payment system Implementation of double taxation avoidance agreements with 50 countries Customs exemptions to foreign investors for the imports of equipment Financial incentives aimed at new employment 8. Available, high quality and competitive workforce (good educational system and a high level of English language proficiency) 9. High potential for innovations and obvious creativity of people 10. High quality of life 6

7 Serbian Economy in Figures Gross Domestic Product In the period , the GDP was growing at the average annual rate of some 3 percent in spite of negative effects of the global economic crisis that in 2009 and 2012 caused a slight fall. The main growth generators were service activities: trade, traffic, warehousing and communications, services of financial mediation, PTT services and telecommunications. Agriculture and processing industry also contributed to the economic growth. The growth of economic activities contributed to the improvement of the standard of living of citizens since the estimated value of the GDP per capita in 2013 was 2.6 times higher than in Total GDP (in Million EUR) and GDP per Capita (in EUR)

8 Serbian Economy in Figures Real Annual Rates of GDP Changes in the Period (Chained Volume Measure in Percentages) Source: Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia Sectorial Structure of Gross Added Value per Sectors in Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry and Fishing Building Construction Industry Services Source: Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, Statistics of National Accounts 8

9 Serbian Economy in Figures Inflation Measured by Consumer Prices Index in the Period Inflation Economic reforms in the previous period of transition were based on the stabilisation policy and focused on the reduction of inflation. In 2013, the growth of consumer prices was 2.2 percent. Average Gross Salaries in Serbia per Years (in EUR) Salaries There was a growth of average gross salaries from some EUR 166 in 2001 to some EUR 537 in 2013, that is, approximately 3.2 times. However, with reference to the costs of labour, Serbia is still competitive in relation to other countries in the region. 9

10 Serbian Economy in Figures Employment Total number of employed persons, on the last day of September 2014, was estimated at 1,686,505 people, of which 1,311,310 persons (or 77.8 percent) were employed with companies, whereas the number of private entrepreneurs and those employed with them amounted to 375,195 (22.2 percent). Structure of Employed People per Activities Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Mining Processing Industry Power, Gas and Steam Supply Water Supply and Waste Water Management Construction Wholesale and Retail Trade, Repair Motor Vehicles Transportation and Storage Accommodation and Food Services Information and Communications Financial and Insurance Activities Professional, Scientific and Innovative Technical Activities Administrative and Support Service Activities Public Administration and Compulsory Social Insurance Education Human Health and Social Work Activities Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Other Service Activities Source: Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia 10

11 Serbian Economy in Figures Industrial Production In the period , industrial production grew at an average rate of some 0.9 percent per annum. The tempo of production growth is dictated by the processing industry which represents a dominant sector in the domestic industry. In the structure of industrial production, the most common are: food products, electric power complex, mining and metal complex. It is expected, that these areas will retain their dominant position in the following years. The process of privatisation is in the final stage. By the end of January 2015, all tenders for the privatisation of 504 companies in the portfolio of the Privatisation Agency which have not yet been privatised will be announced. 10 Growth Rates of Industrial Production in the Period (presentation in percentages)

12 Serbian Economy in Figures Structure of Industry per Branches in Branches of Industry Percent Share (%) Manufacture of food 17.3 Power and gas supply and air conditioning 14.8 Manufacture of coke and oil derivatives 10.2 Mining 8.2 Manufacture of metal products except machines 7.7 Manufacture of rubber and plastic products 5.1 Manufacture of beverages 4.1 Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products 3.6 Manufacture of clothes 3.1 Manufacture of products made of other non-metal minerals 3.1 Manufacture of machines and equipment not mentioned elsewhere 2.6 Manufacture of paper and paper products 2.0 Manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products 2.0 Manufacture of computers, electronic and optical devices 2.0 Manufacture of electrical equipment 2.0 Manufacture of motor vehicles and trailers 2.0 Wood processing and manufacture of wooden products 1.5 Printing and reproduction of audio and video recordings 1.4 Manufacture of metals 1.3 Manufacture of furniture 1.3 Manufacture of textile products 1.0 Manufacture of leather and leather products 1.0 Other processing activities 0.9 Repair and assembly of equipment 0.9 Manufacture of tobacco 0.5 Manufacture of other transportation means 0.4 Source: Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia

13 Serbian Economy in Figures Foreign Trade In the period , the overall foreign trade between Serbia and the world stated in EUR was increased 4 times. Exports were raised 5.7 times from EUR 1.9 billion to EUR 11 billion. Imports were raised 3.2 times from EUR 4.8 billion to EUR 15.4 billion. In the observed period, the coverage of imports by exports was increased from 40 to 71 percent. The dynamic growth of exports in the period before the crisis in 2009 was the result of positive effects of the process of privatisation and restructuring of companies, signed free trade agreements and total transformation of the economic system into the market economy. The economic crisis caused the fall of demand at the global market. Thanks to the implementation of the project with FIAT Corporation, Serbian exports showed a slight growth despite the crisis. Commodity Exports and Imports in the Period (in Million EUR) 13

14 Serbian Economy in Figures An important strategic objective for the next period is a more dynamic growth of exports and the reduction of the foreign trade deficit. The most important foreign trade partner of Serbia in 2011 was European Union and in 2013, 63 percent of commodity exports were placed there and 62 percent of commodity imports originated therefrom. Free Trade Agreements Serbia has signed the following Free Trade Agreements. Russia, Belorussia and Kazakhstan EU Interrim Trade Agreement Free Trade Agreement Turkey CEFTA Free Trade Agreement Free Trade Agreement EFTA Free Trade Agreement 14

15 Serbian Economy in Figures Metal Products Chemical Products Electric Equipment Rubber and Plastic Products Basic Metals Food Products Motor Vehicles and Trailers Other The Most Important Sectors for Exports in 2013 The Most Important Export Partners in 2013 Italy Germany B&H Russian Federation Montenegro Romania Macedonia Slovenia Croatia Other 15

16 Serbian Economy in Figures Foreign Direct Investments In the period , net inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Serbia was EUR 17 billion. The FDI share in the Serbia s GDP in this period reached 4.7 percent and cumulative value of net FDI per capita accounted for EUR 2,312. Net Foreign Direct Investments in Serbia in the Period (in Million EUR) Source: National Bank of Serbia Note: Period FDI by old Methodology (BPM 5). Period FDI by new Methodology (BPM 6) include intercompany loans and reinvested earnings. From 2000, foreign direct investments were directed to sectors of non-tradable goods (finance, real estate, trade) but in more recent years, this situation has changed and the share of investments in sectors of tradable goods (energy, processing industry and agriculture) started to grow. This can significantly contribute to the further growth of Serbian exports. The share of investments in processing industry has been growing since 2009 and more than a third of FDI in processing industry is realised in food, beverages and tobacco industries while investments in the production of basic metals and metal products account for some 12 percent. 16

17 Serbian Economy in Figures The largest portion of FDI in the period , almost 80 percent, came from EU member countries. If observed relevant to the countries of payment based on data provided by the National Bank of Serbia, the largest investors in this period with several billion euros of net FDI were: Austria (EUR billion), Norway (EUR billion), Luxemburg (EUR billion) and Germany (EUR billion). Since the beginning of 2000, the largest single investments observed per individual companies have been absorbed by the following sectors: telecommunications (EUR 1.6 billion Telenor, Norway), energy (EUR 947 million Gazprom Neft-NIS, Russia), automobile industry (EUR 940 million Fiat, Italy), retail sale chains (EUR 933 million Delhaize, Belgium), tobacco industry (EUR 733 million Philip Morris, USA) and pharmaceutical industry (EUR 650 million Stada, Germany). Top Ten Investors (in Million EUR) Source: National Bank of Serbia In addition to capital, foreign investors have brought to the Serbian economy not only new technologies, experience, management knowledge but also higher productivity and new sales channels. For years, the companies with foreign capital have been in the top of the list of the most successful ones and some of them are the largest exporters. Their successful business results are the best recommendation for future investors and they are the best promoters of Serbia as an investment destination. According to the estimates by the National Bank of Serbia, the FDI of some EUR 1.3 billion are expected in Serbia in

18 Where to Invest? The key words for further development of the Serbian economy are exports and investments. In order to increase exports and improve competitiveness and productivity, Serbia is committed to full implementation of structural reforms in the economy, restructuring of the public sector and strengthening of the private sector, improvement of competitiveness and technological modernisation of industry. The prerequisite for this is primarily the inflow of foreign capital into sectors of tradeable goods and improvement of investment capacities of domestic companies in order to make them good partners to and excellent support for large foreign companies that will be coming to the Serbian market. Priority sectors for investments in Serbia: Infrastructure Agriculture the whole chain of agribusiness from primary production to processing industries manufacturing of products with the highest possible degree of completion Energy Processing industry (not including food industry, automobile, metal and electronic industries) Information and communication technologies Tourism 18

19 Free Zones in Serbia At the territory of Serbia, there are 12 free zones (Pirot, Zrenjanin, Subotica, Novi Sad, FAS Free Zone Kragujevac, Šabac, Užice, Smederevo, Kruševac, Svilajnac, Apatin and Vranje) in which the total value of exchanged goods and services reached some five billion EUR in There are 211 companies operating in these zones. Some of them are multinational companies such as Siemens, Swarovski, NIS Gazprom Neft, Draexlmaier, FIAT Cars Serbia, Magneti Marelli, Johnson Controls Automotive and Panasonic. In Free Zones in Serbia, the investors can carry out all types of business operations and industrial activities: manufacturing, warehousing, packaging and trade however, not retail sale, banking and insurance. In Free Zones in Serbia, the investors have the following benefits: They do not pay customs and import duties for goods required for business operations They do not pay VAT for the consumption of energy carriers, entry of goods into the free zone or selling of goods and services within free zones They import and export goods and services freely without any quantitative restrictions Within their authorities, local self-governments can provide additional benefits to investors for the construction of facilities and infrastructure at the territory of free zones. In 2014, the magazine Financial Times has ranked two free zones from Serbia in the list of 34 best free zones in the world: Free Zone Zrenjanin (the award in the category of incentives offered to investors) and Free Zone Pirot (the award in the category of incentives provided for reinvestment).

20 Best Commodity and Corporate Brands of Serbia 21

21 Best Commodity and Corporate Brands of Serbia The activity Best of Serbia by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia organised in cooperation with the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications and the daily newspaper Privredni pregled encourages the creation of high quality Serbian products, promotes best commodity and corporate brands in Serbia, strengthens their market position and instils confidence in consumers and partners. In a ten-year period of the activity Best of Serbia, some 1,300 brands are nominated and more than 270 are awarded. The activity Best of Serbia glorifies success and excellence. It rewards responsibility, efficiency and competitiveness. It encourages the creation of high quality Serbian products and strengthens local economy. It increases the visibility of goods labelled Made in Serbia and facilitates the penetration of our companies in the international market. In this publication, we are going to present the winners of the last campaign declared in 2014 based on market and financial parameters, votes of consumers, professionals and the jury, as well as the best commodity and corporate brands over the past decade. 23

22 Best Commodity and Corporate Brands of Serbia Decade Award Best product brand in the last ten years Plazma is the face of the image of Bambi Company, and is one of the most favourite regional brands, thanks to its unquestionable quality, top quality ingredients, unique taste and flavour and well-known shape, which makes it irreplaceable and amiable through generations. Plazma will continue to enrich its offer, both with new products and wide-range sales for its most devoted consumers, taking care of the tradition of the favourite Serbian brand. Best corporate brand in the last ten years Metalac AD is a public shareholders company with 14 subsidiaries: four production companies and five trading companies in Serbia and abroad. It has been operating for 55 years. Its head office is located in Gornji Milanovac, where the following companies are also located: Metalac Posuđe DOO, Metalac Bojler DOO and Metalac Print DOO Trading companies are primarily in charge of marketing the products of Metalac producing companies. Metalac is exporting to more than 25 countries. 24

23 Best Commodity and Corporate Brands of Serbia Best Exporter in Best exporter big companies Fiat Automobili Srbija (FAS) is a company located in Kragujevac with one of the most modern production lines of Fiat Group, opened in 2012 as partnership project with the Serbian Government. With more than 3,000 employees, FAS represents a desirable employer, socially responsible company, an active investor and leading exporter. Total of 1,2 billion euros is invested in the factory, and FAS is a general distributor and importer of аlfa romeo, lancia, fiat professional and jeep. Best exporter SME Bio energy point DOO produces wooden pellet, ecological fuel made from biomass with high energy efficiency. The company was established in Its production unit is in Boljevac in East Serbia and it is one of the biggest factories for wooden pellets production in the Balkans. It is equipped with the most up-to-date machinery for wood processing and pellets production imported from the EU. Annual production capacity is about 65,000 tons. 25

24 Best Commodity and Corporate Brands of Serbia Best Corporate Brand for 2013 Consumer goods food Concern Bambi has been for 47 years an equal competitor with leading world confectionary companies and one of the most successful in Serbia and the region thanks to its top quality products and business standards. Consumers of Bambi products are assessing its products as top quality products, and the company takes care about the community it is operating in and contributes to the improvement of quality of life. A lot of rewards for its contribution to the community, individuals and institutions speak about it. Consumer goods drinks Company Nectar DOO has a leading position in the region in the field of fruits processing and production of high quality fruit juices and nectars. It operates according to most up-todate standards. On five locations, Nectar is annually processing more than 100,000 tones of raw materials fruits and tomatoes. Awarded fruits juices and nectars under brand Life 100% and Nectar family bring to producers the best product made of fruits. 26

25 Best Commodity and Corporate Brands of Serbia Best Corporate Brand for Consumer goods chemicals, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and related products Hemofarm AD is a leading company of pharmaceuticals on domestic market and one of five biggest exporters. Last year Hemofarm exported its products in over 30 countries in the value of million EURO. The company was established in 1960 in Vršac and its biggest production complex is located there. In addition to Vršac, modern factories according to GMP standards are located in Dubovac, Šabac, Podgorica and Banja Luka. Hemofarm is a member of German STADA group. Durable consumer goods corporate brand Alfa-plam AD is leading producer of heating items in Serbia and it is ranked among five biggest producers in Europe. The company has 800 employees and it produces 160,000 units per year. Its production program includes stoves, solid fuel furnaces and fireplaces, products for floor heating, pallet heating program, electric and combined cookers and gas furnaces. Alfa-plam places 35 percent of its production on Serbian market and remaining part of production is placed on European and the world market. 27

26 Best Commodity and Corporate Brands of Serbia Best Corporate Brand for 2013 Clothing and footwear Mona company was established in 1989 in Belgrade. Its top quality and design represent a must for this fashion house which has made a huge growth and has become a leader in the world of fashion both in Serbia and the region. Mona produces 300,000 units of leather accessories and over 250,000 readyto-wear products made of leather and textile. The company markets its products in more than 50 shops in Serbia, as well as in Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. Production goods and business services Oil Industry of Serbia (NIS) is one of the biggest companies in energy sector in the South East Europe which encompasses research, production, processing of oil and gas and trade in oil derivates. NIS has above 400 petrol stations in Serbia and on the regional market. The company is a symbol of reliable partner and it is following all requirements of modern market: quality improvement, modern standards and technologies introduction, social responsibility, community and environment protection. 28

27 Best Commodity and Corporate Brands of Serbia Best Corporate Brand for Service companies big With its 16 supermarkets and 270 franchise partners, Company DIS represents the biggest domestic trade chain. DIS observes tightly two principles that there are no shortcuts on the road to success and that agreements have to be respected because it is a motto by which the company has gained the confidence of employees, partners and buyers. All activities of DIS, which has achieved its success by gradual development, are aimed to provide the lowest prices for customers. Service companies SME Energoprojekt Entel AD is one of the leading Serbian companies for designing, consulting and engineering in the field of energy, water economy, telecommunications and environment protection. In addition to good reputation it attained after more than 60 years of successful operation in the region, Energoprojekt Entel is the only enterprise from Serbia which has been successfully working on demanding market of the Near East for decades. 29

28 Best Commodity and Corporate Brands of Serbia Best Corporate Brand for 2013 Best public, state-owned or predominantly state-owned company in Serbia (50 percent state ownership) Telekom Srbija is a national telecommunication company which has played the leader s role for 17 years and has been rendering services to its clients in the field of land line and mobile telephone, Internet and multimedia. Cherishing a spirit of innovation, it develops and applies modern technology solutions, and cares for high quality smooth communication. 30

29 Best Commodity and Corporate Brands of Serbia Best Product Brand for Consumer goods food Iskon oil is high quality sunflower oil produced by Victoria Oil. Since 2009, when it appeared on domestic market, Iskon oil has recorded a permanent growth in terms of production and sale. Is has significant results on foreign markets, especially in Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria and other. Production, accorded to requirements of strict international standards, is based on modern technology. Numerous certificates, recognitions and awards for quality are its best recommendation. Consumer goods drinks Jelen pivo, famous brand of Apatinska pivara DOO has taste which reflects a 285 years of tradition and it is made of best components from nature by traditional recipe. Continual development of production process and quality control contributed to Jelen as an international brand. Many centuries of experience in creating recipe of perfect beer, as well as application of experience of the world producers makes Jelen beer the first choice beer for consumers in Serbia. 31

30 Best Commodity and Corporate Brands of Serbia Best Product Brand for 2013 Consumer goods chemicals, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and related products Merix detergent for laundry is an authentic Serbian brand lasting above 30 years. As a successful national brand according to German quality standards, it is produced in Henkel s factory located in Kruševac, where from it supplies the entire Serbian market and countries in the region. The first package was produced in Merima Kruševac in Merix s success and its continuation is a result of its decision to keep on adapting to the requirements of market and its consumers. Durable consumer goods Metalac posudje DOO is a company producing stainless steel, non-stick and inox cookware. All factories are located in Gornji Milanovac. Metalac posuđe has the status of one of the best cookware producers in Europe. Every year, around 6 million pieces of Metalac cookware find the way to buyers, either in international or national market. The company has integrated quality management and environmental protection systems and has TUV certificates ISO 9001 and ISO

31 Best Commodity and Corporate Brands of Serbia Best Product Brand for Clothing and footwear Extreme Intimo is a brend of company Jasmil which endeavors to create cozy fashion items from underwear, nightwear and swimming suites. In its strive to use only natural materials, the company s team of designers never forgets that good and attractive design is equally important for our customers. Production goods and business services SUMO 1 PR is a sunflower hybrid of the Novi Sad Institute for Field and Vegetable Crops. It is characterized by tolerance to herbicides with active mater tribenuron-methyl, and thus it is easier to eliminate selective weeds, even cirsium arvense. It has high genetic potential for yield. It is not GMO, since it was created by standard breeding methods. Besides in Serbia, it could be found on variety lists of the EU, Ukraine and Russia. Almost one million hectares are under this hybrid in the world. 33

32 Best Commodity and Corporate Brands of Serbia Best Product Brand for 2013 Best local brand Mamma s Biscuit House is a family pastry shop producing and distributing biscuits in the territory of Belgrade. It has been operating for two decades, and its main focus in on quality. It has found its inspiration in traditional recipies, quality ingredients and home-made production. As the market has been modernizing, its biscuits and cakes followed the same pattern, always retaining high quality. Nowadays, it has over 300 standardized recipes. Best trademark Premia is a trademark of Company Delhaize Serbia and it may be found in Maxi, MiniMaxi, Shop and Go, Tempo and Tempo Express shops. Approximately 80 producers, mainly from Serbia, operate under the trademark Premia, which the Company proudly stresses. More than 900 foodstuff products make up the assortment. Its focus is on the improvement of quality under competitive prices as compared to national brands and adapting to the market assortment. 34

33 Best Commodity and Corporate Brands of Serbia Best Product Brand for Most successful launching of a new brand Naše zrno is a brand of company Don Don under which fresh domestic bread is made by traditional recipes, as well as special packed breads of a special taste and extended freshness. The flour of the Don Don Company, milled in the mill in Zrenjanin, is also under the brand Naše zrno. The bread is produced of the top quality wheat, under control of the production process from the fields to the table, and for this reason the brand has become the synonym for traditional taste and top quality. Consumer goods best brand with protected geographical indication Futoški kupus (Cabbage from Futog), fresh, with indication of geographical origin is produced by 38 producers. The biggest producer is the Ćulum family which has been cultivating and selling fresh but also pickled Cabbage from Futog for more than three decades. Pickled cabbage from Futog is also officially the first brand of Serbia with control stamp and products of the Ćulum holding are soled on domestic market, in European countries, but also in America, Canada and Australia. 35

34 Best Commodity and Corporate Brands of Serbia Best Foreign Brand for 2013 Best foreign corporate brand operating in Serbia Coca-Cola Hellenic Serbia is one of the largest companies in the non-alcoholic beverages sector in the country. The company employs more than 1,300 people and consists of three units: Coca-Cola Hellenic Serbia, which produces non-alcoholic beverages, Vlasinka, the bottler of water Rosa and Fresh & Co, a producer of juices and fruit juices. The company has four distribution centres, supplying around 37,000 distributors and retail outlets. Best launching of a foreign brand on Serbian market GAZPROM petrol stations make a premium brand, which is operationally managed by NIS on the territory of Serbia as well as in the region, Bulgaria, Romania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. GAZPROM petrol stations are created according to the expectations of modern consumers. New retail network offers high-quality motor fuels in accordance with the Euro 5 standard, as well as full luxury, fast and quality service. 36

35 Best Technological Innovations

36 Best Technological Innovations Serbia has systemically defined the support for the development of innovative society and the creation of a modern knowledge-based economy starting from the fact that innovations are the basis for the competitiveness of any economy. Legal regulations in Serbia in the field of innovative activities and intellectual property are harmonized with EU legislation thereby creating the conditions for the development of industrially applicable ideas and attracting foreign investors. In this publication, we are going to present the Strawberry Tree one of the most attractive Serbian innovations that has recently been presented at the squares of several world capitals and has achieved a notable success at international competitions of innovators. Also, we are going to present the finalists of last year s national competition Best technological innovation that has been successfully organised by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Faculty of Tehnical Sciences, Novi Sad, Intellectual Property Office and Radio Television of Serbia for ten years. So far, this competition has involved about 1,600 teams with over 6,000 participants and over 70 high-tech companies have been established creating products with added value and improving the competitiveness of Serbian economy. 39

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38 Best Technological Innovations Strawberry Energy Strawberry Tree Strawberry energy develops green and smart urban devices to provide people with energy, connectivity and local information in public spaces. Their Strawberry Tree hangout is a solar urban device and a smart city platform that provides free mobile phone charging, WiFi Internet, local information and environmental sensing. So far, over 350,000 users have been actively engaged with 13 Strawberry Trees across Europe. For this innovation, Strawberry Energy won the first place at the Sustainable Energy week 2011 in Brussels, the first place at 2014 Verge Conference in the USA and it was also awarded Golden Superbrand in 2013 for the best innovative brand in Serbia. At the 2014 New Cities Summit in Dallas, Texas, Strawberry Tree was proclaimed as one of the top ten urban innovations that work. This Serbian company has also been recognized by media across the world. The renowned Financial Times, BBC, Forbes, TIMES, The Guardia, Mashable and many others have written about their innovations. 41

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40 Best Technological Innovations Ultrasonic team Ag Eco Cleaner Ultrasonic Ag Eco Cleaner represents professional device for water disinfection having new modality of the combination of dual simultaneous action of ultrasound and silver in disinfection process. The device consists of ultrasound apparatus connected with the system for implementation of dissolved silver in treated water, with expressed and proved antibacterial properties. Synergetic action of ultrasonic waves and silver is used on inactivation of microorganisms by direct shear and stress in liquid, formation of hydroxyl radicals and disruption of microbial cell membrane, which exceptionally intensifies antibacterial action of silver. 43

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42 Best Technological Innovations Ice The Procedure and Additive Application in animal Feed ICE is an innovative technology in the field of conservation of plants on farms. It is a completely new treatment both in Serbia and abroad based on the application of new additives with which the anaerobic conditions in silos are reached in two hours. Carbon dioxide is used as a gas or dry ice. ICE technology is 50 times faster than existing techniques. Advantages of this technology are: inexpensive product, easy application, quality silage making, VIP status and consistent support. Prospective buyers are all farms which make silage as well as big trade companies looking for new markets. ICE innovative technology is safe for human and animal health, without pathogenic microorganisms and aflatoxins. sandra@agrif.bg.ac.rs 45

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44 Best Technological Innovations Epoch team Combined Farming Machine Innovative Combined Farming Machine represents proven new technology of soil cultivation. This means that the combined farming machine is only one passing, without violation of soil structure and can perform: tillage, fertilization, chopping, stabilization of the soil, sowing and cowering the seeds. New technology ensures significant savings (about 100 euro/ha) and increased crop yields (up to 20 percent) due to the new mechanical elements built into the machine. Cost-effectiveness, productivity and profitability are also achieved. In particular, savings are made on: fuel, tractor costs, human labour, variety of other machines, operation time. With the use of the Combined Farming Machine, rapid profitability is achieved, even in one season. Manufacturing of this machine fosters production, employment and exports. 47

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46 Best Technological Innovations Brainiacs team Smarting Company mbraintrain has developed a fully mobile, wearable device for recording electrical brain activity. Flagship product SMARTING allows scientists to bring their high-quality EEG experiments outside of laboratory environment. It also allows medical doctors to test their neuro-rehabilitation strategies having the added value stemming from high mobility and the ease of use. One of the most important new features comes from the fact that users can learn to control their own brain signals through different interactive training sessions. To enable and ease these interactive sessions, mbraintrain has coupled its SMARTING system with both computers and Android based phones and tablets. Advantages: 1. General and specific research directed towards neuro-rehabilitation can benefit from quantitative leap enabling truly free brain recordings and possibility for home based use (e.g. in stroke recovery) 2. Special games targeting specific groups can help develop brain skills, e.g. enhance the focus or decrease effects of dementia with elders (game users benefits) 49

47 About Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia A Reliable Partner The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia is the largest national association of businesses in Serbia. This is an independent, modern and responsible non-budget institution that has put its tradition, experience, knowledge and expertise in the service of its members and the whole economy of Serbia. The vital commitment of the CCIS is to create the image of Serbia as the country of market economy, investment opprotunities, open borders and prepared for entering European flows in a competitive way. Tradition longer than 150 years, available resources and modern organisation that has been established is a guarantee for professional and efficient support to the economy. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia is a national leader in the protection and promotion of interests of the Serbian economy in the country and abroad: Service to business people in daily operations and support in strengthening market competitiveness Reliable partner of the Government for the improvement of business environment and investment opportunities in Serbia Reputable member of the international business and chamber community and an important link in strengthening regional cooperation The key pillars of activities of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia are: Representation of members interests before government bodies and institutions Support to domestic and foreign companies through services, mediation, advice and business information Internationalisation via improved international economic cooperation and promotion of Serbia as an investment destination, and the Serbian economy at home and abroad Business education in order to improve knowledge and skills of employees and managers, build capacities and strengthen domestic economy An important segment of activities concerns the work of tribunals and foreign trade arbitrations in the CCIS, as well as fostering good business practice and business code of conduct. The CCIS is the member of EuroChamber, Association of Balkan Chambers (ABC), it is the part of Adriatic- Ionian and Black Sea Initiative and has signed over 70 bilateral agreements with partner organisations in the world. In the last ten years, the CCIS has participated in the implementation of a large number of international projects financed from the EU Funds, bilateral and donor support programs. 51

48 December 2014

49 Ten Reasons to Invest in Serbia 4

50 Resavska Belgrade, Serbia P: F: E: