At a time when domestic companies are increasingly seeking their place on the global market, cooperation between Serbia and the United States is gaining a new dimension through business networking and strategic positioning in Washington.
Speaking to EUpravo Zato about the role of the Pupin Initiative in this process, as well as the importance of international conferences in strengthening Serbia’s international standing, was Vuk Velebit, Executive Director and co-founder of the Pupin Initiative, following his participation in the 25th Belgrade Economic Forum, which brought together representatives of governments, institutions and companies from the region in Belgrade.
When asked how the Pupin Initiative can help domestic technology companies enter the international market as quickly as possible, Vuk Velebit explained that cooperation between Serbia and the United States does not relate exclusively to the technology sector, but also to other branches of the economy.
He underlined that the Pupin Initiative is a privately funded organisation which currently brings together several dozen Serbian and American companies within its membership, companies that are already mutually connected and cooperating, thereby creating a concrete foundation for easier entry of domestic firms into the US market.
“From the Serbian perspective, the added value of the Pupin Initiative lies in the possibility of helping Serbian companies that want to enter the US market to understand the American market, given that it is a large market, to understand their audience and which companies and industries would be the most suitable for cooperation in America. So that is what the Pupin Initiative does. It is not only about political and diplomatic networking between Serbia and the US, but also about the business aspect, where we help Serbian companies enter the US market, while at the same time American companies that are interested in coming to Serbia approach us, so that we can help them better understand domestic legislation or connect them with companies in Serbia,” Velebit told our portal.
Speaking about the importance of international gatherings such as the Western Balkans Summit, GLOBSEC and the Belgrade Economic Forum, Vuk Velebit assessed that the most important message sent from such conferences is the need for Serbia to be visible and actively present in international relations.
According to him, such events serve to show that Serbia is an indispensable partner within Europe, regardless of the fact that it is not yet a member of the European Union, as well as that the country is ready to cooperate with countries in the region, the EU, the US and other partners.
“That is why I believe it is of exceptional importance at international conferences to hear the Serbian voice, the Serbian perspective, and to view issues and international relations from that angle,” Velebit said.
