SAIF – Minatar

WHY SAIF

“As a result of many discussions with African, European and Russian leaders, diplomats, officials and business people, at SAIF we remain convinced of not only the mutual benefits of connecting these continents, but of the necessity. We constantly discover knowledge, research, products and services on both sides from which all would derive great benefit, should their existence be known. Considering the tremendous advances in communications and technology over the past years, it remains intriguing how little nations and even neighbors know of each other. It is for this reason that we are making these efforts with hope it will bring benefits to both continents, both in economical and cultural sense.”

Kind regards,

Zarko Taric, SAIF Executive Chairman

ABOUT US

SAIF is a non-profit organization established in Republic of Serbia with the aim to promote bilateral, economical, trade and cultural relations between African countries, Serbia and countries from the region known as Eastern Europe.

Serbia-Africa Investment Forum SAIF is established 2017 by progressive business regimes of Eastern Europe/Africa working closely with governments of the regions to develop economic and cultural relationships with the African continent. South Africa is the second largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa and EU’s largest trading partner on the continent. Since the end of apartheid in 1994, South Africa has enjoyed macro-economic stability.
Partnership is a key word in the mission of SAIF. We aim to enhance Serbia (and further Eastern Europe) – South Africa strategic partnership toward sustainable development. The focus activities will provide a substantial contribution to furthering EE / SA partnerships, aimed at safeguarding their goods and enhancing regional and global integration. There is strong potentials to the EE/SA strategic partnership priority areas and other priorities of mutual interest and promote Serbia’s and SA’s role regionally and globally, creating opportunities for a broader Eastern European public and economic diplomacy and strengthening people to people bonds between Serbia and South Africa.

The SAIF’s vision is ▸close connecting, growth and sustainable development of both regions in order to be competitive in the world market

Main SAIF initiative pillars (leverages) are presented through together house

SAIF focus on building networking, targeted initiatives, mapping opportunities for the key areas that link Eastern Europe and South African development priorities, including

Investments, joint venture projects , trade exchange and trade conditions between those regions
Empowerment of women, as economic potential, through SAIF events – networking, together strategic programs, develop SA / EE Women Association that connect development and potentials both regions
infrastructural or strategic projects of the governments of EE / SA countries in which companies from the SA / EE region can participate due to technology transfer
Initiate, support and participate within partnership programs for Agriculture, Digitalization within industries and public sectors, ITC Industry, Ecology, Green energy, Tourism
Development of culture bridge and promote regions potentials through exhibitions, festivals…

As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.

Nelson Mandela

SAIF Team

Partners

THE ASSOCIATION OF EUROPEAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Established in 1958 as a direct response to the creation of the European Economic Community, EUROCHAMBRES acts as the eyes, ears and voice of the business community at EU level. EUROCHAMBRES represents over 20 million businesses in Europe through 45 members (43 national associations of chambers of commerce and industry and two transnational chamber organisations) and a European network of 1700 regional and local chambers.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY OF SERBIA

The Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia is an independent, modern and responsible non-budget institution, the national association of all Serbian businesses which its tradition, experience, and knowledge put in the best interest of its members and the economy of Serbia. A century and a half long tradition of the chamber system of Serbia and widely spread chamber network encompassing sixteen Regional Chamber of Commerce, two Provincial Chambers, Belgrade Chamber of Commerce and Industry and nine representative offices abroad are supporting economy and the business community.

EURASIAN PEOPLES' ASSEMBLY

On May 27, 2017 in Moscow, at the First Congress of the Assembly of the Peoples of Eurasia, the International Union of Non-Governmental Organizations “Assembly of the Peoples of Eurasia” was established. This organization includes more than 2500 representatives from 67 countries of the European continent.

INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR SUSTAINABLE PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT

The International Fund for Cooperation and Partnership of the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea is an international non-governmental non-profit organization, established on March 4, 2009 by the initiative of distinguished intellectuals, scientific and public figures, diplomats, representatives of influential non-governmental organizations from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine. Later, in 2011-2015, representatives from other countries joined BSCSIF, thus extending outside the Black Sea – Caspian Sea region: Albania, Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Luxemburg, Macedonia, Montenegro, Russian Federation, Sao Tome and Principe, Republic of Serbia, Slovenia, Republic of South Africa, Sri Lanka, Swiss Confederation.

Why Serbia?

Owing to its position on the geographic borderline between the East and West, Serbia is often referred to as a gateway of Europe. Two important European corridors, VII – the River Danube and X – the international highway and railroad, intersect on the Serbian territory, providing excellent connections with Western Europe and the Middle East.

Serbia is thus a perfect place for a company to locate its operations if it wants to closely and most efficiently serve its EU, SEE or Middle Eastern customers. Bordering the EU, Serbia still offers a possibility of enjoying all benefits of working outside the EU while being able to provide services and transport goods in projected and flexible time frames.

Why South Africa?

South Africa is the second largest economy on the continent with a well-developed infrastructure in its large urban centres, a solid financial sector, excellent academic institutions and a resource-rich environment. Strong democratic institutions, an independent judiciary, critical and free media and an engaged citizenry have been the greatest achievements since the founding elections of 1994. In addition, South Africa has made significant strides towards increasing the access to basic education, primary healthcare, establishing a large free basic services programme in poor communities and broadening social protection through grants.

Today, however, South Africa is facing an extraordinary set of challenges. Nowhere else in the world inequality is as high as in South Africa. During the last decade, there has been consistent low growth, an increasing dependence on the informal sector and a weakening of political institutions. The legacy of the Apartheid-era spatial planning is still hampering the competitiveness of urban areas, revealing a critical need for better and more inclusive infrastructure development. Further, the fiscal position is deteriorating, resulting from weak economic growth and the precarious finances of state-owned enterprises. Poverty has remained high and the unemployment rate has reached 30 percent overall, with over 50 percent for young people.