30.09.2015.

Minister Gasic at the conference "Airbus Group - Suppliers' Day"

Today, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce hosted a conference "Airbus Group - Suppliers' Day" at which representatives of the Airbus Group, the leading European aviation company, met with representatives of about 40 Serbian companies in the airline industry and the Serbian Armed Forces in order to find suppliers of parts for their products in our country.

On behalf of the Government of Serbia, at the conference, Ministers of Defence and Economy, Bratislav Gasic and Zeljko Sertic addressed the attendees.

Welcoming the participants, Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic said that today's meeting was oriented towards the future, scientific and technological advancements, industry development and strengthening of business relations with international partners.

- There are many things we can do for each other. A variety of comparative advantages will help you find good and successful contributors in Serbian companies for the expansion of the network of your suppliers. For our side, cooperation with your respectable company will bring new knowledge and technologies, the possibility of improving the industrial base, and we hope, will enable an increase in exports of high-quality and competitive products of Serbian companies, Defence Minister said and expressed hope that today's activities would result in the strengthening of cooperation "where it already exists, but also in the creation of new business contacts."

Minister Gasic expressed his belief that the Airbus Group would recognize Serbian companies as competent and reliable future partners and that the next visit would result in the formalization of many businesses.

Minister of Economy Zeljko Sertic stressed that today's conference was a "confirmation that the policy of the Serbian Government brings concrete results," adding that, just a few months ago, it had been unthinkable that a company like the Airbus Group would seek partners in Serbian companies.

According to him, cooperation with the European and world giant opened up great opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises.

At the opening of the conference, on behalf of the hosts and organizers of the event, the attendees were addressed by vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce Miroslav Miletic and Acting SIEPA Director Nenad Bjelogrlic, and on behalf of the Airbus Group by vice president and director for the region Canada, Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States Marco Miklis.

On behalf of the diplomatic corps, the audience was addressed by German Ambassador Axel Dittmann, Ambassador of France Christine Moro and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain Miguel Fuertes Suarez.

The gathering was organized by the Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion in cooperation with the Serbian Chamber of Commerce. It is the second meeting this year between local businessmen and the international giant in the field of aviation industry.

During the working part of the conference, representatives of Serbian companies from the aviation industry and the Serbian Armed Forces had the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Airbus Group. Over 70 meetings were held, where domestic companies were introduced with the possibilities and procedures for entering into the supply chain of the company.

The Airbus Group Company is the largest European and one of the world leaders in the aerospace industry, which operates in many countries and works with several thousand suppliers worldwide. One of the company’s long-term goals is also the increase of the share of suppliers beyond the boundaries of Western Europe, and it has recognized Serbia and its companies as potential collaborators.