Business Angel and Venture Capital Financing in Serbia
In this article we shall focus on: 1) Business Angel investor and 2) Venture Capital investor. To distinguish between the two simply in a few words, a Business Angel investor invests in business start-ups or start-up ideas, with smaller investments, and a Venture Capital investor invests in more mature companies or start-ups, with larger investments. Business Angel investing is riskier due to financing in an almost unknown business, whereas Venture Capital investing is investing in larger amounts in a relatively established and proven business idea.
Who are the potential producers for organic agriculture?
Apart from favorable conditions, organic agriculture in Serbia is underdeveloped. There are a number of reasons for this that our producers encounter when switching or engaging in this production.
IPARD public call to compete for application in 2021
The plan to compete for IPARD funds for 2021 envisages greatest amount of funds available for Measure 1 — Investments in physical assets of agricultural holdings. There will be funds for mechanization, but not for tractors.
SRFP Business Training Schedule Announced for January–June 2021
The SRFP Program is pleased to announce the release of the January-June 2021 MSME and agricultural training schedule.
Organic production in Serbia – how to profit?
Although the new European Union Regulation on organic production was supposed to enter into force on the first day of 2021, that deadline was extended due to the pandemic. However, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management is working on harmonizing the new regulations in that area, with subsidies that are five times more for that production than for the conventional one.
Gorski Sir – a niche business producing goat cheese on the slopes of Fruska Gora
At the base of national park, Fruska Gora, in the scenic village of Jazak, Gorski Sir is producing goat cheese for the Serbian market. Goat cheese is a product which is, unfortunately, found on retail shelves with lesser frequency each year.
Hazel House – how two young women in Serbia are playing the hazelnut long game
Katarina Djurovic and Ana Suvacarov, owners of Hazel House, are an anomaly in Serbia today, they are two young women determined to launch an uncommon idea in agriculture — the hazelnut business.
SRFP Program Videotaped Trainings are Now Available Online
The SRFP Program has uploaded its library of videotaped trainings from the period February-June 2020 into the Program website www.srfp.bfconsulting.com and YouTube channel In this period, 1,200 business minded people have attended the trainings in online and classroom formats. Topics covered in the period are available for your education:
Development of Financial System in Rural Areas in Serbia Program (SRFP)
Dear Sir or Madam,
As part of an ongoing effort to support sustainable economic development in Serbia, the German Development Bank (KfW) has commissioned the Development of Financial System in Rural Areas in Serbia Program (SRFP), implemented by Business and Finance Consulting (BFC). The overall objective of the Program is to improve incomes in rural areas of Serbia through (1) increased access to credit and (2) support in enhancing the competitiveness of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and other entrepreneurs operating throughout the country.
As part of SRFP’s support in enhancing the competitiveness of MSMEs and other entrepreneurs in rural areas of Serbia, a series of capacity building activities are being offered on a variety of topics, including, among others, how to write bankable business plans, IPARD/government subsidies, e-commerce, digital marketing, developing export markets and capacity building of the dairy value chain. Trainings and capacity building activities are offered at no cost. The ultimate goal of these activities are to build local and regional business capacity in a way that creates new employment opportunities and increases income.
Serbian MSMEs and the Challenges of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a global impact, leaving both mature markets and emerging economies struggling. Some of the hardest hit have been micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). This is of particular note for Serbia’s economy as MSMEs represent 99% of active business entities, generate over 30% of GDP, contribute to 40% of total exports and provide nearly 66% of employment opportunities in the country. As such, the revival of the MSME sector will be key to getting Serbia’s economy back on track in a post-COVID-19 world.
