Belgrade, November 22, 2024 – The Business Council for Diaspora session was held at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, organized with the support of GIZ Serbia and implemented in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and Returning Point. The event gathered key representatives from the economy, government, and various institutions and organizations.
The main theme of the session was the role of the diaspora in Serbia’s economic development, with a focus on innovative entrepreneurship and digital transformation. Through three thematic panels – Innovative Entrepreneurship, Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence, Systemic Support to the Economy and the Role of the Business Diaspora, and Women’s and Social Entrepreneurship – participants discussed key challenges and opportunities for improving cooperation between Serbia and the diaspora. Uroš Živković, Program Director of Returning Point, moderated the panel dedicated to innovative entrepreneurship, digitalization, and artificial intelligence.
A special emphasis was placed on the opportunities for connecting the diaspora and Serbia to create new business opportunities. Participants discussed how the diaspora can contribute to Serbia’s development through digital transformation and new technologies. It was highlighted that the return of experts from the diaspora, with their experience and knowledge, could be crucial for improving industries in Serbia. Returnees can help develop rapidly growing sectors, such as digitalization and artificial intelligence, and the diaspora also plays a key role in strengthening ties and business opportunities between Serbia and other countries.
Additionally, the importance of women entrepreneurs in the diaspora and their role in strengthening Serbia’s economy was discussed. The diaspora was recognized as a significant resource in promoting women’s entrepreneurship and as an important factor in connecting female entrepreneurs from Serbia and abroad. In this context, the need for greater support and visibility for women entrepreneurs in Serbia, as well as for improving their business networks, was emphasized.
The development of the startup ecosystem was also a focal point of discussion, with an emphasis on the need for further stimulation of innovative entrepreneurs. Serbia is increasingly recognized as a market ready for innovation, but greater support is needed through better connection with the science and research sector and the creation of a favorable regulatory environment that will allow faster growth of startups. Furthermore, to ensure new investments and innovations, the diaspora can play a key role in connecting with global markets and technologies.
It was concluded that further work through the Business Council for Diaspora will enable more effective connection between the Serbian economy and the diaspora, through the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and support for innovative projects. Through these activities, the foundations for strengthening economic cooperation and deeper integration of the diaspora into Serbia’s business sector have been established.
