The economic growth of any country is not possible without innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, was one of the conclusions at the presentation of the package of measures from the Action Plan for the implementation of the Smart Specialization Strategy of the Republic of Serbia.

Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development Branko Ruzic, Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia Yngve Engstrom, representatives of the World Bank, as well as domestic institutions involved in the strategy, such as the Republic Secretariat for Public Policies, SAIGE project at the Ministry of Education, spoke at the event. Science and Technological Development, and the Innovation Fund.

Engstrom said the strategy is an essential step on the road to a knowledge-based economy.

“If we can say something with a great deal of certainty, it is that the pressure of global competition will not ease, and like any country in the EU or abroad, Serbia must adapt to global challenges. That means we should use what we think are The EU has helped the strategy through the inclusion of experts in the Joint Research Center, as well as programs to support innovation and entrepreneurship”, which also stated that digital and greener Europe is among the priorities of the EU’s Next Generation program.

Minister Ružić says that in the process of transformation, it is necessary to support the exceptionality of scientific results.

“Education based on innovation and entrepreneurship will enable future market participants to enter the labour market, into current business flows readily, and to continue activities started in science parks, innovative startups. They will also be able to use state and international funds intended for a knowledge-based economy, “said Minister Ruzic, who thanked the European Commission and the World Bank for their help in covering the strategy.

Mario Guadamilas from the World Bank stated that this institution supports many innovative projects in Serbia, which help further the development of various industries. That support is also essential on Serbia’s path to the EU.

The strategy for the period 2020-2027 highlights the directions in which Serbia should move to create an efficient economy capable of developing and marketing top innovative products and services that are competitive on the global market, and as priority areas are: Food for the future, Machinery and manufacturing processes, ICT and the Creative Industries.

As an example of good practice, the domestic company Desing was presented at the event, whose introduction of new technologies and innovations enabled the development of products for the whole world, higher sales and exports.

Our motto is to be in the company of equals or better than us. This is achieved, above all, by a significant investment in knowledge, “said Miodrag Tomic, director and owner of the company Desing, which has grown from a small family business into an exporter whose fruit products are present in 27 countries around the world.

The action plan for implementing the strategy contains 43 measures with specific activities for the period of realization of two years, and financial resources in the amount of almost 18 billion dinars were provided from various sources.