Commissioner for the Protection of Equality Brankica Jankovic and Association of Business Women organized a working meeting with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia Ana Brnabic, dedicated to the development of women entrepreneurship in Serbia, which was attended by more than 40 entrepreneurs, members of the Association of Business Women.

The goal of the meeting was to promote best practices in the achievements of successful female entrepreneurs through the exchange of experiences, and also to find a solution for more efficient models of support at national and local levels.

Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia Ana Brnabic welcomed the initiative to organize such gathering and stated that it presents a true example of cooperation between the Government and independent institutions, which demonstrates how the Government of the Republic of Serbia can help entrepreneurship, especially for women, because it brings more challenges than male’s entrepreneurship. She said that this is the right way to work together to send a picture of successful, brave female entrepreneurs and women who don’t give up their ideas. Prime Minister also stated that the two most important issues for the empowerment of women, which stand among Government top priorities, are – education and economic independence.

Commissioner Jankovic stressed that women’s entrepreneurship should be recognized as the important development factor for the Serbian economy and stated that women make 34% of total number of entrepreneurs, but that today also 10% more women decide to leave their business, close their shops and companies. She said that this meeting sends an important message to all young women who still haven’t decided what to do in their lives and that such working meetings should become a regular practice. The Commissioner pointed out that there are still major economic challenges for women and that the local self-governments have the largest space to improve the position of women in executive positions.

President of Association of Business Women that gathers around 900 women from Serbia, Sanja Popovic Pantic, said that this Association pays great attention to girls and works to encourage them to enter into entrepreneurship, which is why they will organize a competition for girls from elementary schools titled “Capture an Idea” this year, to promote the use of information technology in a creative and entertaining way.

In a direct conversation with the Prime Minister and the Commissioner, the members of the Association, women entrepreneurs and owners of some of the most successful companies in their fields, presented their suggestions for improving business conditions and women’s entrepreneurship.