An analysis of USAID’s “1,000 Companies” survey showed that digitalization and e-commerce, which opened up new opportunities for exports and growth, were highlighted as the most important measures taken to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.
The analysis confirmed that the growth drivers of companies that are digitally present and those that use external financing, these companies operate more successfully and have growth rates higher than the average growth rate of companies in Serbia.
Speaking at the panel as part of the presentation of the results of the USAID survey “1,000 companies”, Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Tatjana Matic said that in the first six months of this year there was a significant increase in online transactions, which increased by 2020 by 91 percent.
Matic said that as far as the value of those transactions is concerned, according to the NBS data, there was a 99 percent increase in the value of all transactions.
She explained that the timely development of eCommerce in Serbia contributed to the growth of online trade.
“Through clearly defined strategic goals, we have provided a good and fertile ground for further development and improvement of digital competencies in the SME sector, for raising advanced digital skills of all citizens, as well as for adequate raising of digital skills in relation to labor market needs,” said Matic.
She pointed out that this development was difficult to achieve, due to the great distrust of citizens, but also traders in online shopping.
Matic stated that Covid brought, in a series of bad changes, one good change, and that is the development of e-commerce.
Until then, she reminds, the state worked on improving the legislative framework for the development of e-commerce, passed the new Law on e-commerce, a set of laws in the field of financial business, but also the Law on Consumer Protection, which is adjusted to online trade.
According to Matic, small and medium-sized companies, which are the drivers of the economy, have adapted to the new circumstances and started introducing sales over the Internet.
Speaking at the panel, the President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (SCC), Marko Cadez, said that the export of the Serbian economy was growing during the pandemic, and that in the first eight months of this year it was higher by almost 30% compared to the same period last year.
“However, only 345 large companies achieve 60 percent of our export performance, and it is very important that we support small and medium-sized companies to enter export business,” said Cadez.
He says that PKS has been organizing Supplier Days with international companies for years in order to include as many smaller companies as possible in their supply chains.
“I invite small and medium-sized companies to join us at the world exhibition Expo Dubai – to take advantage of the opportunities provided by our Business Hub, to connect them with partners and help them enter new markets,” said Cadez.
He points out that the realization of the “Open Balkans” initiative and the construction of a common regional market of the six Western Balkan economies is of great importance, where even smaller companies, which do not yet have enough capacity for larger and more developed markets, will be able to operate successfully.
The Ambassador of the United States of America to Serbia, Anthony Godfrey, said that according to him, the most significant result of the USAID survey is the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economic environment and business.
“It was difficult, the hardest was for small and medium enterprises. These companies faced difficulties more than others due to uncertainty and unpredictability in the conditions of the Covid pandemic,” Godfrey stated.
He pointed out that small and medium enterprises around the world, in America and in Serbia, are the driver of economic growth, and that many businessmen saw their development opportunity in e-commerce during the pandemic.
“I would like to pay tribute to Prime Minister Brnabic on digitalization and Minister Matic on her dedicated work on the development of electronic commerce. Serbia should be proud of the good results in this area and the progress it has made,” Godfrey said.
He also praised the growth of the Serbian economy, and emphasized that it is very important that there is a good connection and understanding between the state and the economy, and that the state responds to the requests of businessmen in a timely manner, RTV reports.
