EXCELLENT RESULTS OF THE SWISS-SERBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Belgrade, June 02, 2015 – Switzerland is one of top 10 investors in Serbia and in the last decade it has invested more than EUR 500mn. Serbia has also been recognized as a good business destination by the largest Swiss companies such as Holcim, Nestle, Roche, Sika, SGS, Novartis, Sicpa, Sandoz Pharmaceuticals, and Ringier Axel Springer, among other. At the same time, there is room for the arrival of Switzerland’s SMEs, as concluded by the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce officials.
Marking the first anniversary of this institution’s activities, the role of the Chamber, which was established upon an initiative of the Swiss business community and with support of the Embassy of Switzerland in Belgrade, as a mediator in presenting the business environments and opportunities of the two countries has been underlined.
“A good start of this Chamber is a clear sign that the Swiss business community believes in the future of Serbia. Last year the trade exchange volume has been increased by 9,5%, and has been growing since, which is a good starting point and recommendation for new investors and exchange of experience. With the initiated reforms and establishment of stronger business stability and certainty, I expect new investments as well,” noted Ambassador of Switzerland to Serbia H.E. Jean-Daniel Ruch.
The Chamber founders include the largest Swiss companies which have made significant investments in Serbia in the previous period. The latest examples are a new production facility of Sika in Šimanovci, worth more than EUR4mn, and Nestlé, which has launched a new waste water treatment system. “We are proud of our members for recognizing Serbia as a good investment destination, improving the business climate in Serbia and respecting all business standards,” said SSCC President Marinko Ukropina, SGS Managing Director.
After the seminar in the Geneva Chamber of Commerce in April, organised by the SSCC under the title “Serbia: Your New Business Destination”, a large volume of inquiries of Swiss companies regarding business conditions in Serbia have been received, and the Chamber has accepted new members. At a large-scale business forum in Zurich on June 16, which will be attended by Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić, business opportunities in Serbia will be presented to Swiss companies, and the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce will present its plans regarding connecting companies.
