EU – WB6 CHAMBERS` ACADEMY
“Development of Services Supporting Integration of Local SMEs into the EU Single Market”
Thessaloniki, Greece
May 29th – 30th 2024
It was held in Thessaloniki the two-day event: EU – WB6 CHAMBRES`ACADEMY “Development of Services Supporting Integration of Local SMEs into the EU Single Market.”
The Academy was organized by the Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum (WB6 CIF) with the support of the European Commission and in cooperation with Eurochambres, with the specific focus on European accession perspective and topics of interest for regional cooperation.
The event welcomed 40 speakers and guests from the Chambers of Commerce of Europe and the Western Balkans.
Chambers of Commerce in the Western Balkans constantly follow market changes to improve the skills of their employees and provide the best support to local businesses, and in this framework, the Academy was organized in order to meet the needs of their members.
The academy facilitated the exchange of best practices developed by Chambers of Commerce from both the EU and the Western Balkans. Participants shared these practices and networked with colleagues, reinforcing the role of chambers as vital supporters of local businesses.
During her opening remarks, Mrs. Tatjana Shterjova Dushkovska, Secretary General of WB6 CIF, noted: “During these two days, we will have a lot of exchanges and presentations by chamber representatives from the Western Balkans region, but also on EU level, which will give us insights on the current status of play, all the activities each of the chambers has when it comes to setting up different services related to supporting the integration into European supply chains for our local companies. But also, I am hoping that the discussions that will follow will provide opportunities for also building up the existing and developing new types of services and activities”
Mrs. Juliette Loppe, Senior Policy Advisor for Neighborhood and Enlargement highlighted during her opening remarks: “Eurochambres highly values cooperation and exchange of knowledge between chambers in the EU and chambers in the WB6 with a view to gradually integrate SMEs from the region into the EU single market and implement the New Growth Plan.”
At the EU – WB6 CHAMBERS’ ACADEMY, speakers from the Chambers of Commerce from the EU and Western Balkans shared and discussed their best practices in several key areas. These areas included the Green Economy, Carbon Footprint and Accounting, and Corporate Sustainability, highlighting the focus on environmental responsibility. Additionally, the discussions addressed the advancement of E-Services and Digital Transformation, as well as Intellectual Property and standardization processes.
These two days of events deepened networking within Chambers of Commerce from the Western Balkans and the EU, fostering the development of new services and activities while enhancing existing ones within the chambers.
The EU – WB6 CHAMBRES`ACADEMY “Development of Services Supporting Integration of Local SMEs into the EU Single Market” was organized within the framework of the Project: “EU support to the WB6 CIF for the Development of a Common Regional Market, 2024/454-229“
Learn more about our speakers and guest and their presentation at the e-catalogue:
