Yesterday, the Italian Embassy in Serbia hosted the inaugural day of the roadshow aimed at promoting the Big Science Business Forum 2024 (BSBF) in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, an initiative deisgned and supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the CEI - Executive Secretariat, the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region (Italy) and the BSBF organising committee.
Scheduled to be held in Trieste on 1-4 October 2024, the BSBF is envisaged to convene representatives from Europe-based top research organisations (Big Science Organisations) to foster collaboration opportunities and establish partnerships with industry stakeholders.
The Belgrade event - which also benefitted from the collaboration of the Ministry of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia, and the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS) - drew participation from numerous companies in the country, as well as from the Serbian Government, prominent local research and innovation organisations, scientific and technological parks.
A broad audience of more than a hundred registered participants was informed about the business opportunities offered by the BSBF 2024, and encouraged to actively participate in the consolidation of the Big Science common market in Europe.
The event was opened by the Italian Ambassador to Serbia, Luca Gori, who highlighted the significance of selecting Belgrade as the venue for the roadshow's first day, underscoring Italy's recognition of Serbia as a strategic partner in the region. He emphasised Serbia's substantial investments in high-tech sectors such as ICT, agritech, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence, noting that the Big Science Business Forum 2024 would provide an additional platform for strengthening Italy-Serbia relations, as well as the connection between Serbia's innovation ecosystem, the city of Trieste and the Science and Innovation System of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region. Distinguished speakers included Alessia Rosolen, the Councillor for Labour, Training, Education, Research, Universities, and Family of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region; and Paolo Acunzo from ENEA, Director of the hosting organisation, BSBF Trieste 2024.
In this setting, Roberto Antonione, while affirming the CEI's support for the EU's enlargement to the Western Balkans, particularly emphasised the opportunities presented by BSBF 2024 for Serbian companies and operators to engage with the growing European Big Science market. Moreover, he highlighted that the BSBF promotional roadswhow will continue in the upcoming weeks, with three events already scheduled in Bratislava, Prague and Warsaw.
For more info: lombardo@cei.int
