Belgrade, November 15, 2010: USAID Economic Security Program is supporting 10 furniture manufacturers participating in this week’s Belgrade Furniture Fair, which runs from November 15-21. The fair offers these companies an opportunity to expand into new markets both within Serbia and the European Union.
Working with its partner, the Sandzak Economic Development Agency (SEDA), PPES provided participating companies with training in sales, marketing, presentation skills and negotiations to prepare them for the fair.
Trade-fair support has proven to be an effective tool for helping companies from the South reach new markets.
Since 2008, small and medium-sized companies from South Serbia and Sandzak have achieved over $10 million in new sales through their participation in such fairs.
Belgrade, November 15, 2010: United States Agency for International Development (USAID) continues to support small- and medium-size businesses from South Serbia to improve economic outlooks in one of the most deprived regions in the country. USAID Economic Security Program partnered with ten furniture manufacturers from South Serbia to help them grow and expand sales; supported by USAID, the South Serbian furniture companies will exhibit at the most prestigious furniture fair in the region – Belgrade Furniture Fair, held from November 15-20.
Vranje-based “Pegasus” Company is one of the ten companies to receive USAID support to exhibit at the fair. The blend of high quality and superior design of its furniture and USAID-provided business support allowed the company to expand production, increase sales and arrange for the opening of its first Belgrade retail store. In 2009 Pegazus participated in USAID organized training to improve management skills, strengthen its marketing and sales strategies and to receive ISO 9001 certificate, important for companies aspiring to export.
The opening of the new “Pegasus” store planed for spring 2011 will be announced at a special ceremony in “Usce” Shopping Center on November 18 at 4 p.m.
Belgrade Funiture Fair, Pegazus, Vranje, USAID
USAID Trade fair support provides a means to companies to meet buyers, distributors, suppliers, and competitors all in one location. Attending trade fairs helps businesses keep up with industry trends and test new products. This activity help businesses prepare for trade fairs by developing a strategic approach and enabling companies to utilize the opportunity more efficiently.
The preparation activities include: training courses on sales, marketing, promotion, market research, networking, effective trade fair participation, design and distribution of promotional material, and pre-exhibition technical meetings. Such activities have in the past proven effective in preparing local companies for international fairs, helping them understand how such fairs operate, what to expect, and how to maximize new business contacts and sales.
Overall, companies in economically vulnerable regions of Serbia supported by this USAID activity have realized great successes through their participation at Trade Fairs. Since 2008, partnership with USAID has helped Serbian companies in South Serbia and Sandzak to bring in a total of $10 million in new sales.
For More Information:
United States Agency for International Development - Mission in Serbia
http://Serbia.usaid.gov
USAID PPES Business Support and Internship Activities:
(please contact our Communications Office)
www.scopes-serbia.org/index.php/en/contactus
Pegasus Company:
www.pegasus.rs
Other Relevant Links:
Sandzak Economic Development Agency - SEDA
www.seda.org
Belgrade Fair
www.sajam.co.rs
Usce Shopping Center
www.usceshoppingcenter.com