CEBAC news

On June 17th, representatives of member organizations within CEBAC gathered at the French Embassy in Belgrade for a strategic breakfast meeting focused on the Council's future direction.

H.E. Pierre Cochard, Ambassador of France to Serbia warmly welcomed the participants to the Embassy.

The session was facilitated by Sanja Ivanic, Director of the French-Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Secretary General of CEBAC, with Oliver Sarov from the EU Delegation in Serbia serving as moderator.

Discussions centered on the evolving role of CEBAC, its long-term vision, and how to enhance its contribution to the business environment in Serbia and the wider region. Key topics included the Council’s future structure, strategic priorities, and opportunities to better align resources among members for greater collective impact.

A clear consensus emerged: CEBAC is positioned to become a unified and influential voice for European businesses in Serbia. The alignment among its members represents a strong foundation for advancing this shared vision.

Europe–Serbia Business Bridge: Innovating Sustainability, Technology, and Talent

On May 27, 2025, the inaugural CEBAC Summit was successfully held at MTS Hall in Belgrade, bringing together 200 guests, including representatives from European and Serbian companies, government institutions, and international organizations. The event, titled “Europe–Serbia Business Bridge: Innovating Sustainability, Technology and Talent,” aimed to foster direct dialogue, strengthen cooperation, and launch joint projects between European and Serbian businesses.

Opening the summit, Sanja Ivanić, CEBAC Secretary General, emphasized the goal of intensifying collaboration. Jagoda Lazarević, Serbian Minister of Internal and Foreign Trade, highlighted the strategic importance of regional integration and ongoing reforms toward EU accession. EU Ambassador to Serbia, Emanuele Giaufret, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to Serbia and praised CEBAC as a key platform for cooperation.

Throughout the day, panels addressed Serbia’s role as a European supply chain hub, ESG practices and challenges in the Western Balkans, current human resources issues, and smart, sustainable digitalization in manufacturing. The summit ended with B2B meetings, opening doors to new partnerships and business opportunities.

The event was supported by CEBAC member companies such as WMG, Kärcher, MPC Properties, Patent.Co, Propulsion, Sky Express, Sistineri Partners, Telekom Srbija Group, and Wiener Städtische.

May 27th, Belgrade, Serbia – Conference, Round Tables, B2B Meetings, Networking

The Council of European Business Associations and Chambers (CEBAC) is organizing its first summit, "Europe-Serbia Business Bridge: Innovating Sustainability, Technology, and Talent."

This high-level event will bring together key stakeholders from the business sector, government institutions, and international organizations to foster dialogue, strengthen economic ties, and explore new opportunities for collaboration.

What to expect:

Engaging conferences featuring top industry leaders and policymakers

Thought-provoking panel discussions on sustainability, technology, and talent development

Tailored B2B meetings designed to connect businesses and encourage partnerships

Exclusive networking opportunities with decision-makers and market leaders

Objectives:

Facilitating dialogue between European and Serbian businesses

Strengthening cooperation and identifying new business opportunities

Building synergies and launching joint projects for sustainable economic growth

Who will attend:
The summit will welcome high-level participants, including:

Government officials and ministers

Leading European and Serbian companies

International financial institutions (IFIs)

Key representatives from the business and innovation sectors

Why attend:

Expand your business network through B2B meetings with over 250 representatives

Gain valuable insights from industry experts and policymakers

Showcase your company and offerings in the "Export Village," a dedicated space for business promotion

For more information, click on the link.

The Secretary General of CEBAC, Sanja Ivanić, participated in a working meeting at the Delegation of the European Union in Serbia, focusing on the economic situation in Serbia and the country's accession process to the European Union.
The meeting was held on February 25, and was attended by representatives of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood, Elin Fredriksson and Manon Thepault, as well as Tonino Picula, the European Parliament’s rapporteur for Serbia. In addition to Sanja Ivanić, the meeting was attended by Violeta Jovanović, Executive Director of NALED, Mihailo Vesović, Director of the Sector for Strategic Analysis, Services, and Internationalization at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Bojan Stanić, Assistant Director of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, and Aleksandar Ljubić, Executive Director of the Foreign Investors Council (FIC).

This significant event brought together over 200 member companies of CEBAC, providing them the opportunity to learn about key details and plans for the upcoming EXPO 2027, presented by Dušan Borovčanin, the General Director of EXPO 2027, and Boris Bjelica, the General Director of the Construction Directorate of Serbia. Among the numerous opportunities that Expo brings to the Serbian economy, the expected arrival of over 100 delegations from around the world, the organization of around 8,000 parallel events, and the anticipated millions of visitors stand out.

Representatives of CEBAC (Council of European Business Associations and Chambers in Serbia) met on July 25th in Belgrade to discuss the Council's next steps and initiatives.
The summer cocktail was hosted by the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce.

The members of CEBAC: Belgian-Serbian Business Association, British-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Commerce and Industry France Serbia, Confindustria Serbia – Italian Industry Association, Croatian Business Club, Dutch-Serbian Business, German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Hellenic Business Association of Serbia, Italian-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Nordic Business Alliance, Polish-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Slovenian Business Club, Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce.

European business associations and bilateral chambers representing the interests of European-owned companies in Serbia have come together to establish the Council of European Business Associations and Chambers in Serbia. The Memorandum of Association was signed on 14 May, marking the beginning of a new era of cooperation and synergy of the European business sector in Serbia. The newly established body will define common interests in its future work and will be a platform for all future initiatives and activities.

The signing took place in the presence of the European Commissioner for Expansion, Mr. Oliver Varhelji, who, together with the ambassadors of the countries of the signatory associations, welcomed this initiative and stressed the importance of strengthening “Team Europe” and representing common economic interests.

The first meeting of the Council of European Business Associations and Chambers of Commerce in Serbia (CEBAC) was held, where discussions were held regarding the election of the Secretary General and the future steps of the Council.

Sanja Ivanić, General Director of the French-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, one of the 13 signatories of the founding memorandum, was unanimously elected as the Secretary General of the newly established Council for a one-year term. The role of the Secretary General will be to represent the Council, communicate its decisions, positions, and proposals.