ICIP – Innovations and Competitiveness Improvement Project for SME has been presented at 9th International Fair of Entrepreneurship. The project value is 3 million EUR, financed by the EU with the aim to further develop the sector of SME, competitiveness as well as business activities.

The project is a part of the Innovations and Competitiveness Improvement  strategy for SME for the period 2008-2013, aiming to create the frame for the sustainability of the project, internationally competitive and export oriented, with the principles of the entrepreneurship economy based on knowledge and innovations.

According to the data obtained from the EU Office in Serbia and the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development, the SME sector in Serbia employs a million of people, making 98,8% of the companies and almost 7% of the employees. This sector makes two thirds of the total income and manufactures appr. 35% of the groos domestic product. SME are also active in the foreign exchange, since they acquire 45,9% from the total country’s export, 60,5% of export, and 58,7% investments.

SME sector has a substantial role in the development of economy in the transitional countries, contributes to the increase of the gross national income, export, dynamic economy, competitiveness, as well as offering permanent job opportunities.