Fostering contribution of the SME sector to the FASRB implementation
Dec 25, 2015
Participating countries: Parties to the FASRB (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia)
Network between SMEs Sustainable economic growth Creating Regional SME Cluster based on bottom-
up approach Priority areas: transport, tourism,
environment protection, water management Identifying other potential competitive sectors
Table - Entrepreneurial activity in 2009 of the countries of the Sava Region
NascentEntrepreneurial activity
0-3 m
New business
ownershiprate
3-42 m
Early-stageEntrepreneurial activity (TEA)
0-42 m
Establishedbusiness
ownershiprate
42+ m
Business Discontinuati
on rate
Necessity driven motivators(% of TEA)
Improvement driven
Motivators (% of TEA)
BiH 3.1 1.3 4.4 3.9 3.1 39 20
Croatia 3.5 2.2 5.6 4.8 3.9 37 39
Slovenia 3.2 2.1 5.4 5.6 1.3 10 69
Serbia 2.2 2.8 4.9 10.1 1.9 41 46
Project participants are expected to complete the following activities prior to the beginning of the project:
The evaluation of the SME sector’s role in particular countries
Comparative analysis of the attained level of development of the SME sector in the region
Phase 1. Specific contribution of the SME sector to the FASRB implementation (duration – 12 months)
1.1 Contribution of the SME sector to regional and socioeconomic development
1.2 Identifying the possibilities and prerequisites for strengthening of the SME sector in the function of economic development of the Sava region
1.3 Analysis of possible forms of a framework for regional cooperation of the SMEs in the Sava river basin
1.4 Evaluation of the involvement of the SME sector in the inland waterway transport
1.5 Role of the SME sector in development of the river tourism1.6 Branding of the Sava river basin as an attractive destination for
the river tourism1.7 Evaluation of the involvement of the SME sector in the
development activities related to other water uses (e.g. small hydro-power plants, fish farming)
Phase 2. Active involvement of the SME sector in the FASRB implementation in the function of economic development of the Sava river basin (duration - 36 months)
2.1 Establishment of the framework for regional cooperation in accordance with the findings of the analysis undertaken under the Activity 1.3
2.2 Promoting the existing infrastructure of the SME sector for increasing competitiveness through development of entrepreneurship
2.3 Education and human resources development and more dynamic contribution of the SME sector to the overall employment growth
2.4 Drafting the life-long learning strategy in the field of entrepreneurship, fostering entrepreneurial skills and a culture of entrepreneurship
2.5 Providing necessary financial consulting services to SMEs2.6 Providing assistance to SMEs regarding their access to financial
resources2.7 SMEs involvement in supply chains of the large business
systems in the region
Institute of economic sciences Belgrade
ICPE Ljubljana
Economic Institute Zagreb
Economic Institute Sarajevo
International Sava River Basin Commission