EU Strategy for the Danube Region 2nd Joint Meeting of EUSDR PA 8 three Working Groups „Cooperation of Business Organizations” Osijek, 22 – 23 September 2016

EU Strategy for the Danube Region 14 countries 9 EU Member States 3 Accession Countries 2 Neighbourhood Countries Common interests Common approach Joint initiative Joint activities The Strategy is not about funding, it is about closer cooperation!

CCE PRIORITY PROJECTS FOR IMPROVING COMPETITIVENESS OF DANUBE REGION DIGITALISATION SME SUPPORT RESEARCH & INNOVATION INTERNATIONALISATION DUAL EDUCATION

DIGITALISATION AS PRIORITY PROJECT The Digital Single Market was highlighted as the second priority area in the political guidelines for the 2014 - 2019 Commission The DSM should ensure free movement of goods, persons, services and capital — and where citizens and businesses can seamlessly and fairly access online goods and services. Today: markets largely domestic in terms of online services only 7% of EU SMEs sell cross-border Tommorrow: EU's single market freedoms "go digital„ DSM could contribute €415 billion to the European economy, boosting jobs, growth, competition, investment and innovation EU market is largerly considered as a domestic market in terms of online services, and accoding to the Eurostat datas, only 7% of EU small and medium sized enterprises sell their products and services cross-border. If we want to cope up with the world trends and maintain the the position as a world leader in the digital economy, we have to make the EU’s single market fit for the digital age.   By creating the DSM, all 4 EU’s single markets freedoms will „go digital”. The Digital Single Market could contribute €415 billion to the European economy, boosting jobs, growth, competition, investment and innovation. It can expand markets and foster better services at better prices, offer more choice and create new sources of employment. It can create opportunities for new start-ups and allow existing companies to grow and profit within a market of over 500 million people.

DIGITALISATION AS PRIORITY PROJECT Creating a digital platform to enhance the SME competitiveness, innovation and growth and improve the business climate in the EU by providing a new model of digital communication and cooperation by developed digital platform „eChambers4SME”, the Chambers will encourage the digital transforation of existing businesses and provide digital support to SMEs Eurochambres – Digitalisation Working Group upon the CCE initiative European Public Law Chambers – meeting on digitalisation in Sept 2016

SME SUPPORT AS PRIORITY PROJECT INVOLVES SEVERAL PROJECTS: START-UP SUPPORT INTERNATIONALISATION – ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY VOCATIONAL EDUCATION, ESPECIALLY DUAL EDUCATION EDUCATION OF ENTERPRISES AND ENTREPRENEURIAL LEARNING

helping them achieving their business goals. START-UP SUPPORT GOALS: ACTIVITIES: Current state analysis Analysis of SME legal framework SWOT analysis of chambers in becoming a national BSO for development of start-up eco system Defining of necessary activities and staff for each chamber in the development of eco system for innovation in business Development of digital platform supporting chambers in their communication with start-ups Creating risk capital fund co-financed by EU for financing start-ups Developing system of education for Chambers’ representatives in the field of start-up support Creating favourable conditions for: start of new and innovative business activities development of new and creative ideas of young entrepreneurs increase of competitiveness and market penetration of fast-growing companies Connecting academic and business community Developing new finance instruments for enterprises Decreasing unemployment rate (especially youth unemployment rate) The project objective is to provide different services to SMEs in all development phases, especially in an early stage, depending on their needs and potentials but also continuously providing support to already established members helping them achieving their business goals.

INTERNATIONALISATION GOALS: ACTIVITIES: Mutual foreign trade analysis Defining and analysing key fairs, business venues and events Developing a support model for co-financing the presence of SMEs on fairs and other events in EU Co-financing annual meetings of Chambers’ representatives on the fringes of main fairs Creating digital platform for organisation of all activities between Chambers and fairs as well as for co-financing and communication with their members Developing e-Learning system of education with all other activities intended for enhancement of SME internationalisation Joint participation on fairs and in business delegations on the third markets Revitalisation of most prominent fairs, business venues and events Stronger connection within internal EU market Joint entrance to the third markets Increase of export and foreign investments The project objective is to enhance competitiveness of the economies by providing support to enterprises in entering foreign markets, promoting investment climate and business opportunities in the SEE.

The project objective is to strengthen the Chambers’ capacities DUAL EDUCATION SYSTEM GOALS: ACTIVITIES: Reducing unemployment, especially youth unemployment Compatible labour and market needs Compatible educational system for the needs of the economy Stronger ties among businesses and educational system with chambers’ support Skilled work force educated in the industry Developed standards for all stakeholders engaged in the apprenticeship Pilot projects Apprenticeship advisors in the chambers – education of Chambers’ staff Certification of SMEs and mentors in the companies Providing support to apprentices Database of interested and certified SMEs Promotion of VET The project objective is to strengthen the Chambers’ capacities for implementing and developing the dual education system in the whole Danube region.

RESEARCH & INNOVATION AS PRIORITY PROJECT GOALS: Connect the science and the industry Commercialisation of innovative products and services Promoting the S3 within the business community (especially to SMEs) ACTIVITIES: Current state analysis Analysis of the possibilities of chambers to become a national BSO for development of eco system for innovation in business Defining necessary activities and staff for each member in the development of eco system for innovation in business Developing system for educating the chambers’ representatives in the field of research & innovation support Promotion and/or developing regional S3

Croatian Chamber of Economy Tel.:+385 1 4828 382 Fax:+385 1 4828 379 Rooseveltov trg 2 10000 Zagreb, Croatia e-mail: eoi@hgk.hr www.hgk.hr www.investincroatia.hr