Facility Management is the Key to the Future Development of Commercial Real Estate

The Facility Management industry in Serbia has established its professional association, FMBAS, which was founded six months ago in Belgrade. Companies that are founding members of the association, including Marera Property Management, MPC Properties, and Tokata, have united around the idea that the industry, in which they are among the leaders, needs strengthening. This will be achieved through the creation of a relevant business network, provision of a comprehensive educational platform, and enhancement of dialogue between state, public, and private enterprises, as well as strengthening of regional dialogue and collaboration.

The fact that the FM industry holds a significant place in our economy is evident, as the companies operating in the FM segment generated a revenue exceeding 71 million euros in 2022 while managing and maintaining over 8 million square meters of commercial space.

In anticipation of the upcoming professional gathering organized by the FMBAS association, we are talking to Danilo Pušonja, Director of Marera Property Management and President of the Association.

What are the key themes of the upcoming conference "CURRENT APPROACHES AND TRENDS IN FACILITY MANAGEMENT IN CHALLENGING TIMES," scheduled for October 12th in Belgrade?

– In the context of the growing priority of achieving energy efficiency in commercial properties, improving service quality, and tenant satisfaction, our focus is on the topic of efficient cooling as a key component of sustainable energy consumption. In the Real Estate industry, efficient building cooling is a significant contributor to reducing electricity consumption, which is crucial for cost reduction and sustainability. For this reason, we delve into cost control and optimization from the perspective of maintenance models and query formation.

When it comes to sustainability, we see that the significance of reporting on CO2 emissions is increasing and affecting overall business performance. We are moving towards legally mandated reporting, and that`s why we have invited experts to speak on this topic.

Of course, the challenge of the labor market in the FM industry is always relevant and unavoidable and will always be at the forefront of FMBAS`s work. At the conference, we will analyze issues related to employment, training of staff, and adapting to the changes in diverse professional profiles working in our industry. Through these topics, we expect the conference to provide participants with a deeper understanding of current challenges and trends in the FM industry.

The conference will be held at the "Moxy" hotel in Belgrade, and I would like to emphasize that it is intended for professionals working in the FM industry, as well as representatives of companies that are users of FM services. Therefore, we extend our invitation to all interested parties.

How does FMBAS plan to improve the skill structure in the FM industry through professional development? What training and programs do you offer to members and other interested professionals?

– Professional development of FM industry workforce is one of the key initiatives of FMBAS, an association dedicated to enhancing the qualifications and expertise of professionals in this industry. Our mission is focused on achieving this goal, and within the association, we are working together on strategic solutions.

Currently, in Serbia, there are no specialized training or education programs for specific profiles working in the FM industry. For this reason, FMBAS has worked on creating training structured in accordance with the industry standards, expectations, and roles in the multifunctional industry, which was not previously available in the professional education offerings.

Therefore, our training is not exclusively intended for association members but for all professionals from various industries who wish to requalify for FM jobs, engineers from related fields, and students interested in the promising Facility Management industry.

We plan to closely monitor the needs and current trends in the FM industry and, based on these insights, develop specialized training and programs that provide practical skills and knowledge necessary for successful FM work.


One aspect of our strategy is raising awareness of the vital role of Facility Management in sustainable and efficient operations. We want more companies and organizations to recognize how FM can contribute to their long-term success and leverage it. We believe that, together with our members and partners, we can achieve these ambitious goals that the association is working on.

You`ve discussed plans and expectations for the development of the FM industry in Serbia. How will it continue to evolve?

– Looking into a near future, I have an extremely optimistic view of the development of the Facility Management industry in Serbia. The global size of the facility management market was estimated at over 1.3 trillion USD in 2022, with continued growth projected until 2030 when it will reach 2 trillion USD. These figures indicate the increasing demand for professional facility management services and that only companies employing adequately trained and certified staff, understanding contemporary trends, possessing knowledge of state-of-the-art technologies, and having well-established work processes will be able to provide adequate professional service.

That`s why FMBAS`s vision is to support, represent, and advance the goals and interests of the FM community. It will be achieved by promoting and educating the market about the significance and benefits of facility management services that guarantee high property performance and the highest technical, technological, and environmental standards to ensure a sustainable future and increased property value.

MARERA PROPERTY MANAGEMENT DOO BEOGRAD

Balkans Real Estate d.o.o. Beograd

FMBAS

Facility Management Business Association of Serbia

IFMA

International Facility Management Association

Marera Property Management

MPC Properties

Tokata

Danilo Pušonja

Facility Management industry

facility management