Novi Sad, 13 June 2024 - The conference “Enabling Progress: Industry 4.0 in Western Balkans” (“4IR_in_WB”) concluded on a high note with the inauguration of the Smart Manufacturing Innovation Centre (SMIC) in Serbia. Held at the University of Novi Sad, the Conference served as a pivotal platform bringing together manufacturing companies, government officials, academic experts, business supporting organizations, and international donors to delve into the transformative potential of Industry 4.0 in the Western Balkans.

The primary objective of the Conference was to identify the current challenges hindering the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies in the Region while delineating key priorities for a coordinated approach to enhancing the industry's competitiveness. Through insightful discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions, the participants explored the latest innovations and technologies propelling the digital transition of the Western Balkans.

The highlight of the event was the inauguration of the Smart Manufacturing Innovation Centre (SMIC), a pioneering initiative dedicated to seamlessly integrating advanced digital technologies into the productive sector of Serbia and of the wider Western Balkans region. The core of the UNIDO project supported by the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism, and Sport of the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovene Enterprise Fund, the SMIC at the University of Novi Sad embodies a strategic partnership with the private sector companies in Serbia and the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia, ensuring the smooth transfer of cutting-edge expertise and technology to benefit SMEs across the Region.

In his speech at the inauguration, UNIDO’s Ciyong Zou, Deputy to the Director General and the Managing Director, emphasized the significance of the SMIC in advancing economic competitiveness and fostering innovation ecosystems in Serbia. “The establishment of the Smart Manufacturing Innovation Centre marks a milestone in our support for the journey towards embracing Industry 4.0  in the Western Balkans. Through the SMIC, we aim to empower businesses with access to advanced digital technologies, fostering a culture of innovation and propelling SMEs from the Region towards sustainable economic growth.”

The SMIC will serve as a catalyst for promoting smart manufacturing through innovation system building, focusing on technology, SME development, and investment. By providing industry access to cutting-edge technologies such as robotics, intelligent manufacturing systems, and cyber-physical systems, the Center aims to enhance industrial competitiveness while enabling a smooth transition to Industry 4.0. Moreover, the SMIC will offer a comprehensive suite of services including skill-building initiatives, technological support and business assistance to nurture a vibrant ecosystem conducive to innovation and growth.

The launch of the SMIC underscores a collective commitment towards realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 9, which advocates for resilient infrastructure, sustainable industrialization, and innovation. Through its holistic approach to fostering industrial innovation, the SMIC is poised to drive sustainable development across Serbia and the Western Balkans.

As the conference drew to a close, attendees departed with renewed enthusiasm and a shared vision for leveraging Industry 4.0 to unlock the Region's full economic potential. With SMIC at the forefront of this transformative journey, Serbia stands poised to emerge as a hub of innovation and excellence in the digital era.

Watch the full interview on Serbian TV here👉 https://t.ly/BsSs8
Watch the full interview on Slovenian TV here👉 https://t.ly/kep9G
Visit the SMIC website here👉 www.smic-rs.com

For more information, please contact:
Aleksei Savrasov
Industrial Development Officer

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