S&T Country Report - Albania - WBC-INCO Net

people considering going into business, an improvement in the overall productivity
and competitiveness of SMEs, more enterprises in disadvantaged communities and
under-represented groups and by becoming a key mechanism for ensuring stronger
and more effective SME representation.
The overall objectives of the Agency is to oversee the implementation of the SME
Development Strategy, with Government mandate to substantially increase the
contribution of SMEs to GDP and GDP growth; and to substantially contribute to
reduce unemployment.
The specific objectives are:
• Creating better regulatory environment and policy for SMEs; Improving access
to financial sources; Improving institutional support framework and business
support services;
• Building an enterprise culture and promoting entrepreneurship;
• Stimulating creation of new businesses and a more dynamic start-up market;
• Enhancing competitiveness of existing companies by supporting better
management, innovation and technological development, thus also improving
export-friendly environment and SMEs export performance; and
• Creating conditions for a balanced SME development at regional level, in
disadvantaged areas and under-represented groups (ethnic minorities and
women).
2.2 Key Innovation Infrastructures
The following section gives an overview on the main existing innovation
infrastructures in Serbia and UNMIK/Kosovo (clusters, technology and innovation
centres, technological and science parks, Business-start-up centres/Technology
Incubators and some further related organizations).
A1) Clusters in Serbia
As indicated in ‘National Programme for Business Incubators and Clusters
Development in the Republic of Serbia 2007- 2010’, through its Department for
Competitiveness and Cooperation with International Institutions, the Ministry of
Economy and Regional Development supported establishment of the following
clusters through the pilot project financed from the National Budget of the Republic of
Serbia in 2005:
• Automotive Cluster;
• Rubber and Plastic Cluster;
• Wood Processing; and
• Small Agricultural Machinery Cluster.
All four clusters have their own permanent offices, established organization and
Cluster Advisory Board. Cluster offices are based in Belgrade, except for the rubber
and plastic cluster, which established an office in Subotica. Furthermore, there are
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