EXPO 2024: Women entrepreneurs continue to lead and drive economic growth in Serbia
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October 2024 marked a significant milestone for women entrepreneurs in Serbia, as the country hosted two satellite events under the regional Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO 2024 initiative. Bringing together over 180 participants, these events served as a platform for women to connect, showcase their businesses, and explore potential collaborations with some of the country’s most influential companies.
On 10 October, more than 150 women entrepreneurs from across Serbia gathered at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) to present their businesses to major corporations, including Banca Intesa, Generali, IKEA, Erste Bank, Nestle, Belgrade Airport, Hotel Metropol Palace, OMR Group and MIOS Mobility, which represents system of companies operating in fields of automotive, insurance and finance, leasing, real estate, and luxury products and services. The event, titled “Inclusion of women entrepreneurs into economic flows: opportunities and challenges,” featured the “Meet the buyers” session, where women-led small and medium enterprises participated in speed business meetings to present their business and discuss potential collaboration with representatives of large corporations.
Iva Vuksanović, Senior Advisor at CCIS, mentioned that Serbian women entrepreneurs participating in the activities of the EXPO 2024 regional initiative gain insight into state support programs, showcase their products and services to large companies, and build connections with one another. “The CCIS of Serbia remains committed to supporting the growth of women entrepreneurs and will continue to strongly advocate for government programs that foster the development of the women’s entrepreneurship sector in Serbia,” she stated.
The event also included a peer-to-peer exchange, where more experienced women entrepreneurs shared their experience and knowledge with newcomers to the entrepreneurial landscape. Topics ranged from business strategy to personal development, with contributions from entrepreneurs representing NS Promo Team – a marketing agency, Trans Logistics AG, lawyer Ljubica Radović, and Online platform Osnažene – Empowered, as well as Green Pharmacy Davidovac.
Milena Jovanović, CEO at MOĆNO Mikrobilje, a small business specializing in micro plants, confessed that these events have been an amazing boost to her business. “They play a crucial role in empowering women entrepreneurs by providing the tools, knowledge, and connections needed to thrive in the business world. For me, such events are essential for building a sustainable and impactful entrepreneurial community,” stated Jovanović.
Two weeks later, the women entrepreneurs continued their journey at the Belgrade Night Market, held on October 25. 30 women entrepreneurs from diverse sectors, including sustainable fashion, cosmetics, handmade jewellery, food production, and beverages, had the opportunity to showcase and sell their products. This event is organized multiple times a year in different markets across Belgrade, and brings together thousands of food, drinks, and crafts enthusiasts.
“The Belgrade Night Market was created with the idea of revitalizing Belgrade's evening and promoting local producers. In its nine years of existence, it has become the largest and most visited event of its kind. Today, we can proudly say that more than 80 percent of our exhibitors are women entrepreneurs, thanks to our collaboration with UN Women,” reflected Minja Milenković, Executive Director of Belgrade Festivals.
One such entrepreneur is Natalija Draganović, Founder at Mare-Vela - a sustainable and slow fashion brand inspired by the sea and sailing. Mare-Vela offers handmade, unique pieces crafted by local women. Draganović shared that exhibiting her products at the Belgrade Night Market was a pleasure. “Being surrounded by so many women with similar dreams and innovative ideas has been both a stimulus and motivation for the growth and progress of my own business,” she said. During the event on October 10, Draganović also gained first-hand experience on how to improve her elevator pitch and make short presentations more concise, clear, and remarkable. Reflecting on her experience, she added, “I realized one more time that women are the driving force and the key to the development of any economy. The more knowledge we have, the stronger we are.”
Nevena Marceta, Project Officer at UN Women Serbia, emphasized that every third entrepreneurial company in Serbia is started and managed by a woman. “However, many women still face challenges and believe that there is gender inequality in running a business and that it is more difficult for women than men in business. Opportunities like this are vital precisely because we send a strong message about the enormous economic potential of women,” stated Nevena Marceta.
In this context, Plamena Halačeva, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, invites all women to apply for projects like this one, as both the European Union and the United Nations will continue to invest in women's businesses. “We have achieved a lot, but there is still much more to be done, particularly in the area of non-financial support such as mentoring, education and networking,” pointed out Halačeva.