In an effort to be closer to the needs of Italian companies operating in Serbia and the Balkans, SACE has opened a new Casa delle Imprese in Belgrade, at the Italian-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, with the support of the Italian Embassy in Belgrade.
Also present at the ceremony, along with SACE CEO Alessandra Ricci and Minister of Entrepreneurship and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, were Italian Ambassador to Belgrade, H.E. Luca Gori, Serbian Trade Minister Tomislav Momirovic, President of the Italian-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Annino De Venezia, and SACE Chief International Business Officer, Michal Ron.
“The opening of the new SACE office is the result of the Group’s ongoing commitment, in line with our mission to accompany companies that want to take the path of internationalization and access new markets. We do this through a network of relationships, knowledge and insurance&financial tools, as well as thanks to an international network that as of today has a new addition – the office in Belgrade,” said Alessandra Ricci, CEO of SACE, adding: “This is an initiative carried out together with other key players of the Sistema Paese, the Italian-Serbian Chamber of Commerce and the Italian Embassy in Belgrade, which testifies to the shared objective of supporting together the growth of Italian companies in new geographies rich in opportunities for Made in Italy such as Serbia and the Balkans.”
“Serbia is a priority for the Italian government, not only because of important economic and trade interests. We also have deep political relations, and strong feelings of friendship that bind our peoples and our markets are mutually wide open. Italian companies are doing very well in this vibrant and young business fabric – more than 1,200 domestic or Italian-shareholding companies, employing 34,300 people directly, not counting induced industries. In this country, Italian companies generate 4.5 percent of the national GDP. Italy is the second largest investor after Germany in terms of the number and value of projects. It is clear that alongside such an effort, also in terms of renewing our business presence, it is necessary to consolidate our institutional financial presence in Serbia. It started with Simest opening its office last June 28. Today is SACE’s turn and within the year it will be the turn of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti.”, said Minister of Entrepreneurship and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso.
He also remarked, at a press conference, that it is “fundamental to look at the relationship between Serbia and Italy beyond the terms of trading in physical products and evolve towards the transfer of skills, knowledge, ability to be leaders in ultra-specialized productions, focusing the financial resources of small and medium-sized companies in areas where they can achieve world excellence, as Italy already does in more than 3,000 high-tech and specialized production niches.
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