27 November 2006
BAS Programme openings – Albania, Serbia and Romania and Continuation of
BAS Kosovo
The EBRD Business Advisory Services (BAS) Programme started operating in 1995
and has so far undertaken 5,200 projects through 27 offices in 19 countries
with over €56.75 million in Donor funding. BAS has the dual role of assisting
SMEs to grow and increase their effectiveness and competitiveness, and also
contribute to the professional development of local business consultants to
meet the future needs of the SMEs. In the recent months, thanks to Dutch and
Austrian funding support, the BAS Programme has opened three new local offices
in Albania, Serbia and Romania and has secured the continuation of its
operations in Kosovo.
The Director of the TAM/BAS Programme, Charlotte Salford, formally opened the
new offices at ceremonies attended by ministers, donors and representatives of
a number of enterprises, and followed by well-attended press conferences. Here
is a summary of these events.
BAS in Albania
The launch of the BAS Programme in Albania was
financially supported by the Government of the Netherlands. The opening
ceremony took place at the Rogner Hotel Europapark in Tirana on 13th September
this year. The funding provided has already undertaken 8 projects to date,
committing a total of €55,020. The event successfully achieved its objective
of raising awareness in Albania and promoting the start of the Programme.
Major stakeholders were invited from both public and private sectors.
Charlotte Salford, Hans Sprokkreeff (Alternate Director, Dutch/Mongolian
Office at the EBRD), Cas van der Horst (Deputy Chief of Mission, Royal
Netherlands Embassy), Miha Svent and Neritan Mullaj (BAS Programme Director
and National Director for Albania respectively) were speakers at the event.
Over 75 people attended the ceremony, including a considerable number of media
representatives. Mr. Jemin Gjana, Minister of Agriculture and Food, was also
present at the event, showing a strong commitment of the Albanian Government
in supporting local SME. High level representatives from the Ministry of
Economy Trade and Energy (METE) and representatives from different business
associations and CEOs of Albanian private banks also participated.
BAS in Serbia
The Netherlands has provided funding for a new
BAS Programme in Serbia, which has already undertaken 10 projects. The funds
committed for project grants amount to €52,368. The opening ceremony was held
at the BAS Office in Belgrade in October this year and had an outstanding
turnout with representatives from national and international institutions.
Charlotte Salford, the Dutch Ambassador Mr Ron van Dartel and Roman Pelka (BAS
National Programme Director) were speakers at the event. The ceremony was also
attended by the Minister of the Economy Mr Pedrag Bubalo and Assistant Mr
Pavlovic, who released interviews to the main local TV channels. They both
welcomed the BAS Programme in Serbia and emphasized its importance given that
the development of the SME sector is seen by his Ministry and Serbian
Government as the foundation for further economic development. The event was
followed by excellent media coverage which helped in increasing awareness of
the BAS Programme amongst major stakeholders in Serbia including Serbian
Ministries and Institutions, consultants, Business and Women’s Associations,
representatives of financial institutions and entrepreneurs from successful
SMEs.
BAS in Romania
Austria has provided funding for a new BAS
Programme in Romania. The Head of the EBRD Romania RO, Hildegard Gacek
welcomed the speakers and guests, gave a brief summary of EBRD’s activities in
Romania and emphasized the importance of the BAS Programme in providing
non-financial assistance to SMEs, thereby preparing them for EU accession.
Deputy of TAM/BAS Programme, John McPhee introduced TAM/BAS and thanked the
Federal Ministry of Finance, Leander E. Treppel and the Austrian Government
for its support in financing BAS operations in Romania. Philippe Darquier (BAS
Regional Programme Director) and Corin Comsulea (BAS National Programme
Director) were also there to present the Programme to the guests. The turnout
to the event was very good, including over 50 consultants, potential BAS
clients and press representatives. The event also obtained very good press
coverage. Furthermore, the Deputy Prime Minister, Bogdan Pascu, joined the
ceremony and contributed to the panel, emphasizing the Romanian Government’s
gratitude for the opening of the BAS Programme. He stressed the importance of
supporting SMEs, the backbone of the Romanian economy, in this critical moment
when the country is about to join the EU. Ileana Modrean, Chief of Department
for Administration of Community Funds of the National Agency for SMEs also
shared this view.
Continuation of BAS in Kosovo
A press conference was organized
to announce the continuation of BAS Kosovo under Dutch funds in September this
year. Charlotte Salford, Hans Sprokkreeff, Frans van der Wel (Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, The Netherlands), Margariet Struijf (Head of Mission, Royal
Netherlands Head of Office in Prishtina), Vittorio Mattiuzzi (BAS Regional
Programme Director) and Ekrem Hoxha (BAS National Programme Director) were
speakers at the event. Mr. Bedri Drini (President, Business Consultant Council
- the Association of Kosovar consultants) described the BAS Programme as “one
of the main catalyst in promoting local consultants in Kosovo and in
increasing awareness amongst Kosovar entrepreneurs of the significance of
consultancy in business”. Mr. Besim Beqaj (President of the Kosovo Chamber of
Commerce) commented on the positive impact that the BAS Programme has made
through the Quality Management Systems workshop, not only in making it
possible for new entrants to be able to serve in this field, but also in the
potential reduction of quality management service costs. The press conference
was followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the BAS office. The achievements
of the BAS Programme were stressed by Ekrem Hoxha who summarized the
importance of the latest project that was undertaken by BAS Kosovo in
organizing the QMS workshop attended by 25 people.
