Serbia's Association of Managers founded – Slobodan Vučićević is first elected President

Serbia's Association of Managers (SAM), as the first and long-expected national association of busienssmen, experts or, in one word, people who navigate numerous successful companies in our country, was founded last night (November 27, 2006) in Belgrade-based "IN" hotel.

In addition to representatives of economic diplomacy in Serbia, government administration, associations, Chamber of Commerce of Serbia, chambers and clubs, the founding assembly of SAM was attended by about 40 eminent managers, the founders of SAM. By unanimous decision of the gathered, the general manager of company "Grand prom" and executive manager of Group "Droga Kolinska" for the market of Southeast Europe, Slobodan Vučićević, was elected the first President of the Association.

(Slobodan Vučićević)

- The profession of manager gains in importance on daily basis both in Serbia and in the world. Because of that, it is very important that our country has one such association, which will help all present and future managers to inform and protect themselves and be more successful in their field of work – Vučićević pointed out.

(Founders of SAM, President Slobodan Vučićević and Vice President Ava Bovan)

On that occasion, he pointed to the fact that Serbia lacks quality managerial personnel for years and he expressed hope that SAM would enable quicker solving of that problem, as well as construction of stable and dynamic national economy.

(Danijel Pantić, Aleksandar Parezanović and Đorđe Popović)

The State Secretary in the Ministry of International Economic Relations Vlatko Sekulović said to the present that the founding of Serbia's Association of Managers confirmed once more how our country is "mature as a society and as an economy".

(Vlatko Sekulović)

- You are the ones who create new values and push Serbia's economy forward. I believe that the newly established association will contribute to the improvement of your work, better exchange of experiences and knowledge. The Ministry of International Economic relations will provide you help and, in return, we expect partnership and cooperation - Sekulović explained.

Sonja Šmuc, the representative of the Association of Managers of Slovenia also spoke to the present members of the Founding Assembly of SAM, whereas the Minister of Economy of Serbia, Predrag Bubalo, and chiefs of CEC - European Association of Managers sent the letters of support.

(President of Chamber of Commerce of Belgrade Milan Janković)

Newly founded organization also got its Administrative and Supervisory boards, as well as visual identity in the logo that was designed by company Afirma. After the working part of the Assembly, the cocktail followed.

I. A.