The economic future of the region is very promising, and through more significant connections we can build a great role in the European economy, it was said at the panel “Regional view of the economic future” within the CEO Summit conference.
– Inflation is a challenge, but also a chance. I don’t think it’s as catastrophic as we say. We are individually small regions in the region, at the level of statistical error, and that is the reason why Nelt went to Africa – said Nebojsa Saponjic, one of the founders and owners of the Nelt Group.
Almir Jazvin, CEO of the Prevent Group from BiH, agrees that inflation can create chances for the region.
– Realistically speaking, we have been living in inflation for a long time, but the world has been dealing with it for the last six months. The question is what will be in front of us and how to use it. Objectively, inflation in the region creates chances – it will lead to an increase in the price of labor, which in turn leads to an increase in consumption. Perhaps inflation will encourage domestic investment. However, we should recognize that as an opportunity – Jazvin pointed out.
He adds that if the situation with the pandemic remains like this in the long run, large companies will change their supply chains and points out that the process has already begun.
– Everything can be produced closer. The furniture industry has moved from Asia to Europe. The same thing happens with fashion. So the question is not whether it will happen, it is already happening. I think that these changes are permanent and that we as a region can use this period to position ourselves well – Jazvin points out.
Mercator’s supply chains did not “break” even during the first weeks of the pandemic and lockdown, and as a reason, Tomislav Čizmić, President of the Management Board of the Slovenian Mercator Group, states the advantage of purchasing from local suppliers.
– We have shown with our work so far and during the biggest crisis that our supply chains will not break. Mercator acts as a local retailer in all markets. Also, we procure a large part of our products from local suppliers and that is our advantage. We have shown by our example that local and regional cooperation are what make us stronger – said Čizmić.
The owner of Nelt also believes that the economic future of the region is in cooperation, and he praised the Open Balkans initiative.
– We have already started cooperating with each other in the region and without that cooperation we cannot do anything. Cooperation is the only future we have – Saponjic pointed out, eKapija reports.
