LEDIB Programme and Regional Chamber of Economy Nis Ratify MoU

Posted: 03/05/2008

March 05, 2008 - LEDIB Programme and Regional Chamber of Economy have ratified the MoU which will serve as the basis for the future cooperation between these two organizations.

Details of the MoU and the meeting can be found in the following Press Release:

PRESS RELEASE 05-03-2008

Subject:

Ceremonial ratification of the Memorandum of Understanding for implementation of the LEDIB sub-component 1.2 Improved advocacy of business organization between the Regional Chamber of Economy Nis and the LEDIB Programme, Nisava District, Serbia

Date and time: 5^th March 2008, from 10.00 to 11.00h

Place: Regional Chamber of Economy Nis, Dobricka 2, Niš

Signatories of Memorandum of Understanding:

Mr. Pera Milovanovic, President, Regional Chamber of Economy Nis

Mr. Zoran Stojanovic, General Secretary, Regional Chamber of Economy Nis

Mr. Carsten Lund, Programme Coordinator, LEDIB Programme, Nisava District, Serbia

Mr. Finn Clausen Krogh, International SME Development Expert, LEDIB Programme, Nisava District, Serbia

CoE2

About LEDIB Programme:

The Government of the Kingdom of Denmark has agreed to support the implementation of LEDIB Programme on a grant basis within an amount of DKK 75 million (approximate EUR 10 million) for 5 years. The Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark have agreed by a Memorandum of Understanding (hereinafter MoU) dated 7^th September 2006 that the implementation will be carried out in accordance with Programme Document dated September 2006.

The LEDIB subcomponent 1.2 ‘Improved Advocacy of Business Organisations’ with a budget of EUR 0.6 million will support activities targeted at strengthening the capacity of business organizations to undertake advocacy and influence public policies in favour of enabling business environment, and engage in public-private dialogue on how to achieve local economic development in the Nisava District.

The LEDIB subcomponent 1.2 is a fully integrated part of the other subcomponents:

1.1 Improved Services of Local Public Administration

2.1 Cluster Development

2.2 BDS Providers

2.3 Better Access to Affordable Credit

The Local Economic Development in the Balkans LEDIB programme is a five-year programme for support to local economic development with a focus on development of the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) Sector.

LEDIB m ission is socially balanced economic development and employment creation in the Nišava District in Serbia.

LEDIB g oals are to provide the following:

Better business environment for SMEs in Nisava District in Serbia
Improved capacity of local public administrations to effectively and efficiently reduce obstacles and barriers encountered by SMEs.
Capacity for advocacy of business organisations strengthened to influence public administration.
Increased competitiveness of SMEs
Linkages developed within specific economic sectors – construction and textile.
Strengthened local Business Development Services.
Improved access to affordable finance for SMEs.

Mandate and scope of c ooperation between the Partners (the Regional Chamber of Economy Nis and the LEDIB Programme, Nisava District, Serbia

The main function of Partners will be to ensure better business environment for SMEs in the Nisava District in Serbia.

Cooperation between the Partners is expected to be operational at least till 2012, the proposed end period for LEDIB Programme. However the ambition is that the Chamber of Economy can utilise its knowledge and experience for the future SME Development in Nisava District.

The specific LEDIB Programme support for the Regional Chamber of Economy Nis, as one of key business organisations in the Nisava District:

In cooperation with the Regional Chamber of Economy, as one of key Partner of the LEDIB subcomponent 1.2, and other business organizations/associations in the Nisava District, develop 30 projects aimed at improving the capacity of the organizations in the field of policy dialogue with the public authorities regarding business/SME development (including business-related policies, strategies and plans and associated legislation and regulations).

These projects should include activities aimed at:

1. Developing the business organisations’ advocacy capacity and capacity to enter into dialogue with government authorities;

2. Assisting the business organization in formulating mission statements / objectives if not already in existence;

3. Assisting the business organization in assessing the needs of their members possibly with assistance from subcomponents 2.1 of the LEDIB Programme;

4. Assisting the business organization in developing its membership base;

5. Assisting the business organization in developing and promoting code of conduct and compliance with basic environmental and social standards;

6. Training the business organization in: preparing sector-related surveys; preparing position papers for presentation to decision makers; participating constructively in public private dialogue incl. the LEDNet (subcomponent 1.1 Improved Services of Local Public Administration); improving PR and relations with the media;

7. Assisting the business organization in developing strategies and plans for future provision of business development services (BDS).

International and national experts of the LEDIB Programme will coordinate the implementation of all activities under the subcomponent 1.2 ‘Improved Advocacy of Business Organisations’ of the LEDIB Programme based on an overall cooperation of the representatives of the Regional Chamber of Economy and support it by developing project proposals, twinning arrangements, study tours and visits, support to organization of fairs and exhibitions, database creation, etc.