In Serbia we are not alone: Italian Embassy leads the “sistema Italia” with all Italian public institutions present in Serbia
CCIS President, and DDOR CEO, Giorgio Marchegiani spoke with us about his fear for his family and friends in Milan, business activities in both, Italian-Serbian Chamber of Commerce and DDOR Novi Sad. “In the first days, I was very absorbed by concerns and worries, for what has been happening in my town in Italy, Milan, to my family, which is scattered in many places, to my friends. It was really bad and everyday worse and worse,” said Giorgio.
How did you organize your business activities?
The Italian Chamber is a lean organization, based on networking and information exchange, hence, when the Serbian Government declared the emergency, it was easy to switch to remote working. Some of the activities planned cannot take place, but we have turned some of them in “remote“form, so we will launch a new program in few days. We use the time at best, to replant for the months after May, hoping that we will be out of emergency, even though with a new perspective. The Italian Chamber is also part of a system of around 80 Chambers that Italy has around the world: we share practices and solutions, particularly in Europe. Also in Serbia we are not alone: Italian Embassy leads the “sistema Italia” with all Italian public institutions present in Serbia.
During the past weeks, we were very active in supporting some of our members in facing the emergency. In particular, in managing the workers and in the movement of goods between Serbia and EU, these are being very complex weeks for companies.
Actually, if I can see a positive side of this catastrophe, is that all of us understand the opportunities already available to work productively “without physical presence”. Chambers were born as “physical “meeting places, both globalization and safety turn them into “virtual spaces”. Even though, this situation is teaching us how nice is to work together “in person”.
You signed together with other business association an document and sent it to Serbian Finance Minister, Sinisa Mali. What do you expect from Serbian Government, which measures to implement?
In this situation, small and medium enterprises can quickly disappear if not supported by a huge financial effort. My view is (1) urgent immediate intervention is needed – already during beginning of April (2) intervention should cover all form of financial support (credit, taxes, welfare contributions, labour incentives, investment funds). To face the drop of revenues caused by the virus is the first priority, avoiding the single entities to stop (3) The intervention must come from the States (not only in Serbia), because any other player in the system , including banks , will go underwater if they try to bear the burden of saving the small companies and families. The good thing is that in this case, all economies are being affected and there is not “the clever and the bad”. Therefore, the intervention can be defined in a cooperative way among States.
In normal times, the market forces can “adjust” imbalances, but this is not a normal time and not an imbalance, is a global “break down”!
How are you spending your private time during the pandemic?
I am alone here in Serbia. In the first days, I was very absorbed by concerns and worries, for what has been happening in my town in Italy, Milan, to my family, which is scattered in many places, to my friends. It was really bad and everyday worse and worse. After that, I reacted strongly and a new perspective started prevailing in my mind: to get back in possession of my time. My life so far was planned by the minute, with a lot of travel both within Serbia and outside and with many meetings, events, interactions, some sport etc. During these days instead, is all so “peaceful” and easy to plan home – sometimes I walk 500 m to DDOR office – empty – to sign papers and that is it. This cold shower of the virus put us in a more realistic dimension about life, values, and priorities. Back to basics.
I also spend time in thinking and shaping what will be “after”. I read what happens in China, I can see the changes and the challenges, and as always, both are stimulating.
What will you do first after the state of emergency is cancelled?
I will reach my family, and try to see my parents. In addition, I hope I will find all of them healthy.