Marko Čadež, president of the Privredna komora Srbije (PKS), has announced the launch of the “Program for Beginners in Business,” a new initiative aimed at supporting aspiring entrepreneurs in Serbia. This program, developed in collaboration with the Serbian Entrepreneurship Foundation, offers both financial and non-financial assistance to help individuals start and grow their businesses. The program is designed to provide training, mentorship, and networking opportunities, enabling participants to develop viable business plans and secure favorable financing.
Čadež emphasized the importance of this initiative during a visit to the Belgrade-based company “Viking Tim,” a beneficiary of the program. He highlighted that supporting entrepreneurs in starting and expanding their businesses remains a top priority for PKS. The program offers concrete support, including assistance in creating business plans, accessing more favorable financing sources, mentorship, and connecting with potential business partners. “Starting your own business requires courage, will, and dedication. But not every entrepreneur has to face all obstacles alone. The role of the Chamber of Commerce is to make that path easier, to help you make a good business plan, understand the market, access financing, and connect with companies you can work with tomorrow,” Čadež stated.
The program targets individuals planning to start a business, micro and small enterprises, and entrepreneurs who have been operating for up to 36 months, or up to 48 months for women-owned businesses. Financial support includes access to bank loans of up to 30,000 euros from six participating commercial banks: Halkbank, ProCredit Bank, 3Bank, Erste Bank, NLB Komercijalna banka, and OTP Banka. These funds can be used for investments such as purchasing production equipment, machinery, plants, and adapting business or production spaces, as well as covering operational costs.
Additionally, the Serbian Entrepreneurship Foundation, established by PKS and the German Development Bank KfW, provides grants covering up to 20% of the total investment financed through the program, with a maximum grant amount of 3,000 euros in dinar equivalent. This grant is available to users who successfully repay their loans.
The program also offers a free five-day online training course for participants to develop business-investment plans. Conducted by PKS trainers, this course provides practical knowledge in market research and analysis, using tools such as PESTEL, SWOT, and Business Model Canvas, and preparing five-year financial projections. The online format allows participation from all parts of Serbia.
Milan Lazarević, director of “Viking Tim,” shared that access to financing and practical knowledge were crucial for the company’s inception and growth. Thanks to the program’s support, “Viking Tim” evolved from an initial idea into a company employing 35 workers and participating in major construction projects across Serbia. “When you decide to start your own business, one of the first obstacles is money. You can have a good idea, knowledge, and the will to work, but without initial capital, you often can’t even start. For us, the Chamber of Commerce program was a crucial step—we received funds without which we could not have started the company, and the knowledge to understand the market, make a business plan, and prepare for a bank meeting,” Lazarević explained.
He further noted that the program provides not only financial support but also a realistic assessment of business ideas, which is essential for making informed decisions before investing time and money. “This program is recommended for everyone who has an idea and is ready to work but lacks initial capital or certain knowledge. You don’t need false security that everything will be easy—you need the right information, good preparation, and support to take the next step,” Lazarević added.
The launch of the “Program for Beginners in Business” is part of PKS’s ongoing efforts to bolster entrepreneurship and economic growth in Serbia. Previous initiatives by PKS have similarly aimed to support small and medium-sized enterprises, contributing to the evolving economic landscape in the country. However, the effectiveness of the new program in achieving its goals remains to be seen, and there may be uncertainties regarding the level of interest from potential participants. Furthermore, detailed information on how the program will be implemented and monitored for success is yet to be disclosed.
