The Italian-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, one of the leading business organizations, which today has more than 200 members, has celebrated 15 years of success in promoting traditional economic cooperation between Italy and Serbia.
For this occasion, in the reception hall of the Stari Dvor of the city of Belgrade, the Chamber celebrated this anniversary by taking advantage of the presence of its members, numerous guests, friends and all those who supported its activities.
The Italian Ambassador to Serbia, H E Giuseppe Manzo, who spoke at the event, underlined the important economic role of Italy and of Italian companies in Serbia.
“Italy is one of the largest foreign investors and is the second largest trading partner of Serbia, with an ever-growing interchange also for 2017,” Ambassador Manzo said.
The Italian-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, recognized by the Italian Government, is part of a network of 78 Italian Chambers of Commerce in the world (Assocamerestero) and among its members there are numerous Italian, Serbian and mixed companies.
Over the last 15 years, with its numerous projects, the services offered and the cooperation implemented with local national institutions, the Chamber has facilitated the creation of a more favorable business climate for Italian investors in Serbia.
“Our Chamber is an element of the “Italian system “: the Embassy, the ICE, the Chamber, the Italian Institute of Culture are the elements that the Italian institutional system puts in place for
support bilateral economic and cultural exchanges. In addition to this, there are other forms
private associations such as Confindustria that support this effort. The Chamber works also together with a dozen other bilateral chambers in Serbia, signing a memorandum with PKS, to underline the obvious synergies in our respective roles. This framework of convergence is a fundamental element of optimism for the relations between the two countries. We also note, with pleasure, that Serbia continues to rise in the attractiveness classifications as a country for investing and doing business”, said the president of the Chamber of Commerce, as well as managing director of the DDOR insurance group in Novi Sad. Dr. Giorgio Marchegiani.
The special guest of the gala evening was Stevan Nikčević, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Commerce, Tourism and Telecommunications, who, in the presence of HE the Ambassador of Italy in Serbia, of the President of the Chamber, delivered the “Giuseppe M. Leonardi” award to this year’s winner, the General Director of Aunde Serbia, Annino De Venezia. The award was recognized for the exceptional contribution to employment, education and training of employees, growth in exports from Serbia, constant investment in new technologies and innovation, as well as for support for the development of local communities where it operates. The award-winning company has been operating in Serbia since 2012 and has so far invested over 8 million euros in 2 major greenfield projects. The company is engaged in the production of seat covers for cars and employs over 600 workers.
During the evening the representatives of the Italian and Serbian business community, together with those of the Italian Embassy and institutions, with the protagonists of public life and the world of culture, had the opportunity to taste the traditional Italian specialties and first-quality wines from the Bel Paese. All those present gave even more importance to this ceremony.
The anniversary was supported by renowned CCIS member companies: Unicredit Banka, DDOR insurances – part of the Unipol group, ButanGas International, Fercam, ESI, Globmetropoliten Tours, Aleksić law firm, Banca Intesa, Trattoria restaurant Campania, Slodes Trade, Lavina restaurant , law firm Milošević, Enel PS, Viminacium Foundation, Apetit bar, Nikolić & Stanković law firm, Diplomacy & Commerce magazine.
