By creating an informal network titled “The Best Clusters of Serbia” in 2013, the idea of establishing the Association of Serbian Clusters was initiated. Two years later, this idea has matured and the moment is that clusters in Serbia are organized. Association of Serbian Clusters – ASKA, was founded on the foundations of long-term cluster cooperation in Serbia. Creation of this association represents a logical next step in the development of this cooperation and its formalization.
ASKA, however, is far more than that. ASKA, as a national association that gathers organizations of cluster type, serve as a platform not only for cooperation between clusters and the establishment of a healthy cluster scene in Serbia, but also for encouragement the creation and development of new quality cluster initiatives and organizations.
Clusters in Serbia are not something new for a very long time. By its definition, clusters should gather “players” from the famous triple spiral -business, education, state administration – and include them in activities and projects that will produce positive results. In Serbia, cluster initiatives have been started in different sectors, some advanced quickly and turned into serious clusters, some are still in the middle of development, and some still searching for their “place under the sun”.
Cluster development in Serbia are followed by many problems, and the most significant are the lack of awareness about the need for such synergy, insufficient managerial capacities and knowledge in clusters, and a chronic lack of financial resources. The cluster story is a story of communion, solidarity, focus, shared goals, and success. ASKA intends to gather Serbian clusters on these principles and to act in the long run.
The seven clusters from different sectors are founders of ASKA’s: Vojvodina Metal Cluster, Autoclaster of Serbia, ICT Network, Cluster of fashion and clothing, Nizhny Klaster of advanced technologies, ICT cluster of Central Serbia and Vojvodina ICT cluster. Members of these clusters employ over 30,000 people and have more than 1,000,000,000 euros of annual revenues – almost half of which is exported. In the following period, through the influx of new members of the association, these numbers will undoubtedly growing.
Press conference
Association of Serbian Clusters – ASKA
Speaking:
- Milan Šolaja, Vojvodina IKT cluster
- Marina Blagojević, IKT Network
- Igor Vijatov, Automotive Cluster of Serbia
- Branimir Dženopoljac, Business Association of the ICT Cluster of Central Serbia
- Slađana Milojević, Cluster of Fashion and Clothing Industry of Serbia
- Goran Mladenović,Niski klaster naprednih tehnologija
- Milica Jovičić, Vojvodina metal cluster
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