Business Environment Reform in SEE

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Business Environment Reform in SEE
Zagreb - September 26, 2007

• International Standards and Technical Regulations
  Program

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IFC Program on International Standards and
Technical Regulations (ISTR)

• Program rational
• Challenging business environment in Southeast
  Europe
• European integration processes
• Interest to export to the EU/ international
  markets
• Lack of understanding of nature and the scope of
  requirements
• Product certification and technical standards
  perceived as key non-tariff barrier to trade with
  EU
• Focus on private sector (companies in Albania,
  BiH, Macedonia, Serbia, and Montenegro)

28 companies not aware of EU legislation 55
only partially informed EuroChambers Survey 2004
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Program Design, Timeline

• Objectives
• Increased understanding of reasons and
  requirements for implementation of relevant
  regulations and standards
• Increased exports to EU and international markets
• Increased availability and improved affordability
  of consulting services related to standards and
  regulations
• Activities
• Extensive public awareness campaign
• Seminars and trainings on specific standards/
  technical regulations for targeted companies
• In-company consulting and training to acquire
  certificate/standard
• Seminars and on-job trainings for local
  consultants
• Duration
• Three years (Dec 2005 Dec 2008)

• Sector focus
• Food processing and retail
• Construction materials
• General manufacturing
• Information Communication Technology

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Demand for ISTR in Western Balkans Graph source
Regional Focus Group held in 4 countries, in
April-May 06
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Program findings

• Program activities implemented reconfirm the
  rational for ISTR program
• Strong demand for industry specific standard(s)
• I have gained more knowledge for exporting in
  the EU
• Most of the information included in roundtable
  materials are never mentioned and known in
  Albania
• Companies willing to invest into implementation
  of standards (financial, human capacity), and
  additional investment
• Opportunity to mobilize additional resources and
  work through other local and international
  partners (Chambers, RDAs, Institutes, Faculties,
  SME Agencies, Government bodies, Business
  Associations)

IFC AS Southern Europe - ME Database for ISTR
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ISTR Program at work with company level clients
General Manuf. CE mark ISO 27001
Constr. CE mark OHSAS 18001 ISO
14001
IT
ISO 9001 ISO 14001
Food processing/retail
HACCP IFS/BRC ISO
22000 ISO 9001
GMP/GDP
Rama Glas -- glass producer in Sarajevo ISTR
client --CE mark
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Lessons learned (thus far) challenges to
consider

• Positive highlights
• It paid off to get to know the market upfront
• Market response strong demand for the product
• Opportunities to mobilize partners and leverage
  resources
• Easily replicated and relevant to other regions
  (internationally)
• and Challenges to Consider
• Limited outreach by sector selection
• Developing adequate and sustainable expertise to
  support demand for ISTR (by
• government bodies and private sector
  providers)

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Ivana Curic, Operations Officer
IFC Advisory Services PSD Hamdije
Kresevljakovica 19/IV 71000 Sarajevo Bosnia and
Herzegovina Tel [phone] Fax [phone]
762 Email icuric_at_ifc.org