German metal companies interested in Serbia

BELGRADE - The prospects for cooperation between German and Serbian companies in the metal industry are great and there is mutual willingness for utilizing that potential, participants of a conference titled "Metal Industry in Serbia 2014" noted on Tuesday.

The conference, which is being held under the auspices of the German ministry of economy and energy, was an opportunity for nine German companies to present their potential and establish connections with domestic companies.

Ulrich Wild, director of the em&s company, presented the program of the German ministry of economy and energy, to which he is a consultant. The program is aimed at facilitating entries to foreign markets, he noted, adding that the German government is considering ways to support small and medium-sized enterprises and their businesses abroad.

As part of the program, German companies make organized visits to foreign markets, and today they had an opportunity to learn first-hand the situation in Serbia.

The fields of interest for German companies are primarily the machine building, car industry, environmental protection, construction, he added.

Ljubisa Obradovic, secretary of the Association of Metalworking and Power Industry, Metal Mines and Metallurgy at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, underscored that there is great potential for cooperation between the domestic metal industry and German partners.

The car industry is very important for development of the Serbian economy, as Fiat is the largest exporter and importer. However, the problem is the fact that a small number of domestic car part makers engaged in cooperation, he added.

The metal industry is now at the crossroads, Obradovic said, noting that the future...

Continue reading on: