About 85 percent of micro and small businesses in Serbia estimate that a pandemic will have a negative impact on their business, according to a survey on the consequences of a pandemic, presented today by the Smart Collective and the Responsible Business Forum.
A decrease in demand for its products and services during and after the pandemic is expected by 80 percent of respondents, while about 30 percent believe that the pandemic will result in a reduction in the number of employees.
More than 70 percent of businesses expect the economic impact of a pandemic on their business for six months or longer, according to a March 25-29 survey.
More than 48 percent of businesses estimate that they will not be able to overcome these challenges without additional support, the statement said.
In addition to the measures they expect from the state, entrepreneurs have also provided suggestions for other measures that could be taken by large companies and the private sector, to help micro and small enterprises.
Among the most common proposals are: giving preference to small domestic producers’ goods over imported goods, supporting promotion and marketing, actively involving large companies in promoting micro and small enterprises in times of crisis.
It also proposes respecting existing or shortening payment currencies, joining retail chains and “free listing” of micro and small businesses in Serbia.
They also seek assistance in the form of business and financial advice, as well as in securing new clients, deferring payment deadlines and being able to pay in installments, donations in the form of goods or financial assets, and lending for liquidity.
Smart Collective Director and CEO of the Forum for Responsible Business, Neven Marinovic, said they wanted to explore the challenges and types of support needed to mitigate the economic and social impact of the pandemic, to better respond to the needs of those businesses.
The results of the research will be given to the partners of Smart Collectives and the Forum for Responsible Business – representatives of the international community, the public sector and other parts of the private sector, to jointly prepare and implement adequate measures to overcome the difficulties of the company.
Although most severely affected by the crisis, more than one-third of the companies surveyed were involved in solidarity actions.
Entrepreneurs and small businesses donate meals, groceries and hygiene products, shifted production to sanitary products and equipment, 3D printing visors for medical staff, and assisted in volunteering to distribute assistance to citizens, N1 reports.
