PKS is in daily communication with companies, and the partnership has been especially intensified during the state of emergency in order to maintain the functionality of the economy.
During the state of emergency, the work of a significant part of service activities, tourism, catering, passenger traffic was completely disabled, and due to the lack of imported production components and reduced external demand, the activity of the processing industry slowed down. These are all consequences of restrictive measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Despite all that, after the crisis, the economic base, employment and liquidity of the economy were preserved, with a special concentration on “small business”.
Mihailo Vesovic, director of the Sector for Strategic Analysis, Services and Internationalization of PKS, believes that the initiatives of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, the program of economic measures adopted by the Government of the Republic of Serbia, including the measures of the National Bank of Serbia, contributed to that. As he adds, PKS was an important member of the “Crisis Staff for eliminating the possible and preventing possible harmful consequences of the infectious disease Covid 19 for the economy,” and thanks to PKS, many proposals of businessmen were incorporated into the Program of economic support measures.
However, as Vesovic says, the further recovery of the Serbian economy will largely depend on the economic situation in the countries with key economic partners, ie the speed of the opening of the economy, as well as the possibilities of the second wave of the epidemic.
– The Serbian economy, as part of the international market and supply chain, has withstood the first wave of the crisis relatively well. In addition to the fact that a state of emergency was introduced in mid-March, which temporarily suspended a part of the economy or significantly reduced business activity, macroeconomic indicators remained relatively solid – Vesovic explains.
– During the state of emergency, we closely monitored all changes, problems, situations, issues faced by registered companies, members of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce – he states.
As Vesovic says, PKS is in daily communication with companies, and the partnership has been especially intensified during the state of emergency in order to maintain the functionality of the economy.
– Extremely good for efficient crisis management in the economy was extremely good cooperation with the government, line ministries and state agencies – says Vesovic.
– The Crisis Staff was formed, and part of its competencies continued through the work of the Council for Coordination of Activities and Measures for the Growth of Gross Domestic Product, chaired by the Prime Minister.
At the very beginning of the crisis, the SCC was focused on establishing an information system, so that businessmen would have accurate and reliable information on the development of the situation in the country and how to behave.
– We have established Covid 19 info-service for the economy. It was established with the aim of informing about key issues, decisions, measures and recommendations and their impact on certain sectors of the economy. The situation in the countries’ main foreign trade partners, the situation at border crossings, bans in force, restrictions imposed by the countries were monitored. Companies are recommended a code of conduct, measures to prevent the spread of the infection. Through business associations, PKS associations and a network of regional chambers of commerce, work was done on stabilizing the supply chain, primarily in pharmacies, retail and logistics centers. The maintenance of transport and the functioning of border crossings were of key importance so that goods could be imported and exported – said Vesovic.
– We have prepared and forwarded a large number of economic initiatives and proposals of businessmen to the bearers of economic policy. Many of these proposals have been incorporated into the Government’s Program of Economic Support Measures, which is currently being implemented. Also, PKS is in negotiations for the adoption of additional support measures for the most endangered sectors – tourism, catering and passenger traffic – states Vesovic.
The economy, with the support of the SCC, launched 63 initiatives to make, change decisions and measures related to doing business in a pandemic, of which 42 were accepted. Their goal is to accelerate trade, preserve trade flows, ensure regular supply of the population, limit the prices of basic foodstuffs, increasing the production capacity of disinfectants and personal hygiene products, but also enabling the export of goods ready for export.
– The cooperation of chambers of commerce in the region, within the Chamber Investment Forum, is especially emphasized. The most significant initiative relates to the establishment of “green corridors” for priority cross-border transport of goods of primary importance in the CEFTA region. The list of products was defined in cooperation with the ministries responsible for trade – Vesovic points out.
PKS experts help our businessmen when sending workers abroad. They inform them about the necessary documentation, or the conditions of passing through the countries in transit. Within the framework of economic relations with foreign countries, the importance of PKS representative offices in the countries of Serbia’s main foreign trade partners is especially emphasized.
According to him, after the end of the state of emergency, it continued, with the same dynamics, to provide answers and information to the economy. And it strives for complete normalization of business with respect for decisions and measures that are still in force, and relate to protection, health and safety at work, above all, Srbija Danas reports.
