SIPPO Serbia

Today, Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO) in Serbia marked International Zero Waste Day by organizing a workshop for #PKS representatives and companies on "Introduction to VSME (Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for SMEs) Framework for Sustainability Reporting in Textile Industry", an increasingly important sustainability topic for all exporters to European market. The workshop, organized as part of the regional SIPPO initiative in sustainability textile in Serbia and North Macedonia, covered the key fundamentals SMEs need to know. This included what VSME is and who it applies to, why non-financial ESG reporting matters for companies that are part of EU value chains, how to identify and reduce sustainability-related business risks, and practical steps to strengthen competitiveness on foreign markets. Non-financial ESG reporting is becoming a standard requirement across EU supply chains, and companies that are not ready risk losing contracts, facing delays, or being excluded from European value chains altogether. As #SIPPO Regional Consultant Katerina Kostovska highlighted during the workshop: "Companies recognize the need for non-financial reporting on ESG only when it is requested by European buyers. This is exactly the challenge many SMEs face today, reacting to buyer demands instead of being proactively prepared.” For CCIS and its regional offices, being well-prepared to handle incoming inquiries from textile companies on this topic will be increasingly important as EU regulatory requirements tighten and awareness among exporters grows. Nemanja Jovanovic | Katarina Momčilović Matić | Marija Zlatković | Dusanka Kalezic | Elena Miloshevska | Goce Pesev #SECO #Swisscontact #Sustainability #SME

As we step into the spring season, we continue our #SIPPO activities by supporting a #SustainableTextile workshop dedicated to advancing sustainability in Serbia’s textile industry. In collaboration with the Privredna komora Srbije | Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, SIPPO is proud to contribute to a workshop focused on the VSME framework for sustainability reporting. The session, led by Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO) consultant Katerina Kostovska, will guide #PKS regional offices and export companies through the essentials of non-financial reporting, with particular attention to greenhouse gas emissions that is tailored specifically to the textile sector in Serbia. 📆 Monday, 30 March 2026 🕙 10:00 📍 Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia Not able to join in person? Join us online at the Zoom link https://lnkd.in/g7bnnnHn Want to learn more about exporting sustainable textiles? Read PKS Guide for Export of Sustainable Textile at the link https://lnkd.in/gFibRXei Nemanja Jovanovic | Katarina Momčilović Matić | Marija Zdravković | Dusanka Kalezic #SECO #Swisscontact #Sustinability #Export

New Year, new opportunities 🎉 Interested in export promotion and market development in the Balkans? #Swisscontact is hiring a Regional Export Promotion Manager to support #SIPPO offices across the region, including Serbia. 🔗 View the position & apply ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

Vidimo se sutra u RPK Valjevo na poslednjoj radionici u okviru inicijative “Održivi izvoz” u 2025. 📍RPK Valjevo, Karađorđeva 64. 🗓️16. decembar 2025. ⏰10:00 časova #Swisscontact #SIPPO #OdrziviIzvozSrbije

🍒 This week, 8 Serbian sour cherry producers and manufacturers are meeting European buyers at Food ingredients Europe 2025 in Paris. This mission wouldn't be possible without Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO) partners at the Privredna komora Srbije | Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and International Trade Centre project in Serbia. Together, we've spent weeks preparing these export-ready food companies to meet the demands of European markets - from understanding buyer requirements to refining product positioning and quality standards. Serbia's sour cherry sector has enormous potential. Our producers combine traditional expertise with modern processing capabilities, and this week they're showcasing exactly that to Europe's natural ingredients buyers. Thank you to Dusanka Kalezic, Predrag Markovic, Frederine Derlot, and Patrick Collins for your partnership in making this mission a success. Tomorrow is the last day to visit us at the Stand 73J44 and connect with some of the leading sour cherry producers in Serbia MENEX doo | Frutorga | SB Brava | INTERFOOD 60 DOO CACAK | Strela doo | Fungo Jug | MDDP Janic | Green Group Fresh and Frozen.  #Swisscontact #SIPPO #ITC #SourCherries

COMPANIES VISIT: Shaping the Export Promotion Services in Serbia’s Technical Wood Sector This week, Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO) consultant Laurent Corpataux, a recognized expert in EU, Swiss, North American, and Asian Technical Wood markets, visited selected #PKS member companies as a first step toward delivering practical recommendations to boost the sector’s exports. Engaging directly with Serbia’s leading Technical Wood companies, the goal was to understand their needs, uncover potentials, and identify challenges on the ground and how can these insights help develop the next generation of #PKS export-promotion services for the sector. This visit is just the first step. The recommendations and practical actions to follow in 2026 will help the sector grow stronger, more competitive, and export-ready in the future. A special thank you to Natasa Govedarica for the flawless organization and making this visit truly impactful. #Swisscontact #SIPPO #TechnicalWood #Export

We`ll be at the #FiEurope next week in Paris! Come by the Serbian stand to meet selected frozen fruit producers and learn more about the high-quality products they offer. We look forward to seeing you at Stand 73J44. See you soon in Paris! #SIPPO #ITC #PKS #FoodIngredienst #FrozenCherries #Fruits

COMMERCIAL MISSION: A Big Win for Serbian Organic Berries Producers in Sweden 🍓 🫐 We’re excited to share the results of the #SIPPO supported commercial mission to Sweden for Serbian organic fruit companies, held 19–21 November 2025 in Malmö and Stockholm. The mission was organized by Privredna komora Srbije | Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia with the technical support of Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO) for its leading member companies in the organic berries sector. And the good news? It was a real success. After months of preparation with #SIPPO consultant, fine-tuning strategies and presentations, and learning about the Nordic market, our Serbian organic berries producers finally hit the ground in Sweden… and they really made an impression. Here’s what happened during the mission: ▪️ Companies connected with some of the top Swedish and Nordic food importers, distributors and industry representatives — and yes, several promising negotiations are already underway. ▪️ The Swedish buyers showed genuine interest in the quality and consistency of Serbian organic products, especially frozen and freeze-dried berries. ▪️ Producers got first-hand confirmation that the Swedish market is packed with opportunities for the kind of high-quality, sustainably grown products Serbia excels at. The mission included a visit to the Nordic Organic Food Fair 2025 in Malmö, followed by focused B2B meetings in Stockholm. It was a chance not only to pitch products, but to understand how Serbian companies can position themselves in this dynamic and demanding market. What stood out the most? The synergy between preparation and reality, as everything the companies learned over the past months translated directly into confident conversations, strong positioning, and meaningful connections. 💫 A big thank you to the #PKS representatives Dimitrije Ivanovic and Ivan Lazić for their dedication and support in ensuring the smooth organization of the mission, and to Jenny Köpper for her expertise, guidance, and the energy that helped make this mission a true success. 📸 See some of the photo snippets from the mission below, capturing the highlights, the energy, and the behind-the-scenes moments that made this experience so impactful. #Swisscontact #OrganicBerries #CommercialMission #Sweden

SAVE THE DATE: Global Trends in Added-value Sustainable Timber Construction #PKS, with technical support from Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO), is excited to invite Serbian Technical Wood companies to an exclusive workshop with Laurent Corpataux, SIPPO Consultant, on Friday, 14 November at 10:00am. Join us to explore current market trends and the growing demand for low-carbon, sustainable timber materials, covering both structural and non-structural applications. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from the international expert and strengthen your company’s competitive edge in sustainable wood solutions. 📅 Friday, November 14, 2025 | 10:00 AM 🧑💻 Online (in English) Registration ➡️ sumarstvo@pks.rs Natasa Govedarica #Swisscontact #TechnicalWood #Sustainability #Export

WORKSHOP: Textiles for the Future – Serbia’s Path to Sustainable Export 🌿👗 Last week, the Privredna komora Srbije | Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) hosted the workshop “Textiles for the Future – EU Standards and Sustainable Export”, with technical support from #SIPPO and #AEQUALIS4TCLF project. A highlight of the event was SIPPO Consultant Valentina Čolić Mihajlović, who presented the latest findings from the Serbian Value-Added Textile (VAT) Market Analysis, also supported by Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO). Her insights shed light on key trends, growth opportunities, and strategic priorities for Serbian textile exporters. Key Insights from the VAT Market Analysis ▪️Exports outperform global trends: Between 2022–2024, Serbian Value-added textile exports grew 4.7%, while the global market declined 13.8%; ▪️Leading product categories: Knitwear, shirts, and outerwear are driving growth, while core staples like underwear, socks, and workwear provide a stable foundation; ▪️Sustainability is a must: European buyers increasingly demand traceability, ESG compliance, and circular production practices. Companies embracing eco-friendly and transparent processes are positioned for long-term success; ▪️Technology & skills are decisive: Automation, digitalization, and upskilling are critical for competitiveness. Programs like #RAS subsidized loans and projects like SIPPO and AEQUALIS4TCLF help Serbian BSOs and companies scale sustainability, modernize and innovate. The panel “Sustainable Business, Marketing, and Skills Development – Key Competencies for the Future” sparked a lively discussion among experts Dusanka Kalezic, Nemanja Jovanovic and Pavle Medic how Serbian companies can measure their readiness for sustainable business and embrace innovation, knowledge and resilience through the transformation process. A big thank-you to all participants, partners and experts for sharing actionable insights that will help shape the future of Serbia’s textile industry. #Swisscontact #SustainableExportInitiativeSerbia #ValueAddedTextiles #Sustainability