On Wednesday, November 20, the VII Regional Business Forum was held at the Chamber of Commerce of Vojvodina in Novi Sad, traditionally organized by the Provincial Assembly of Vojvodina and the Assembly of European Regions (AER), in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce of Vojvodina, the Vojvodina Development Agency, and the European Network of Enterprises.
This year’s forum focused on key economic sectors: agriculture and food industry, metal processing industry, and information and communication technologies. More than 180 representatives from companies, regional chambers of commerce, development agencies, and other institutions from 20 countries participated.
The forum was opened by the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Vojvodina, Vladimir Gak, who emphasized the importance of such events for the region’s economic development. “In the past eight years, the Chamber of Commerce of Vojvodina has recorded 6.2 billion euros in foreign direct investments, creating 46,000 new jobs. These forums enable our entrepreneurs to have direct discussions with partners and open new opportunities for cooperation,” said Gak.
The President of the Assembly of European Regions, Albert Castellanos, assessed that the “regional business forum is the most important event in the field of economic development supported by AER” and added that it is necessary to recognize the significance of local and regional actors. “They know the economic opportunities and needs best, both on a political and economic level,” stressed Castellanos.
Speaking about the importance of innovation, Balint Juhas, the President of the Provincial Assembly of Vojvodina, highlighted: “The key to development lies in the knowledge triangle, which includes education, research, and innovation. Society’s development must be based on two pillars—the knowledge economy and the practical application of technologies—in order to create new jobs and economic benefits.”
The Vice President of the Provincial Assembly of Vojvodina, Damir Zobeniča, who initiated this forum, said that the forum “is the best model for connecting entrepreneurs and regions,” emphasizing the importance of cooperation in this area.
Maja Gojković, the President of the Provincial Government, also addressed the attendees. She highlighted the importance of regional cooperation for economic and social progress. “Vojvodina is a region with great potential for cooperation with partners from Europe and the world. The forum is an excellent opportunity to promote our resources and enhance business contacts that can lead to new investments and development,” emphasized Gojković.
Forum topics included presentations on successful practical examples. Representatives from Shandong Province (China), the Federal State of Hessen (Germany), Primorje-Gorski Kotar County (Croatia), and the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (Serbia) shared their experiences and best practices.
As one of the key activities, B2B meetings were organized, allowing direct discussions between companies. This online platform will remain available until December 6 so all interested parties can continue conversations and develop new business opportunities.
Forum participants included representatives from prominent companies, regional chambers of commerce, development agencies, and other institutions that support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, improve the economic climate for business, and attract investments.
