Innovators will no longer wait for months for equipment imports
Imagine working on a revolutionary technological solution that simplifies surgical procedures using smart gloves, but instead of focusing on innovation, you spend months waiting for permits to import those gloves. This was the case for many Serbian startups and research centers. Now, thanks to amendments to the Law on Export and Import of Dual-Use Goods proposed by the Ministry of Internal and Foreign Trade, conditions are being created for Serbian innovators to import equipment necessary for the development of innovations more quickly, thus reducing the downtime caused by complicated import procedures.
The amendment brings a more efficient and faster approval process for the import of hardware components and equipment essential for the development of new technologies. This was one of the 45 recommendations from NALED's Gray Book of Innovations, which was developed as part of the StarTech project.
The previous procedure required that all innovative business entities, from small startups to large industrial companies, go through the same complex process, which involved obtaining a permit from the Ministry of Internal and Foreign Trade, which was also required to acquire permits from four other authorities. This process could take up to two months, which sometimes can be critical for innovators – explains Dušan Vasiljević, Director for Competitiveness and Investments at NALED.
Another key change is the expansion of the list of exceptions for a simplified import and export procedure. Until now, faster permits applied only to goods intended for fairs, museums, and international exhibitions. Now, this possibility is extended to research and development projects of scientific institutions and innovative companies.
- This is a significant step forward in strengthening the innovation ecosystem in Serbia. Our startups and scientists will now have better working conditions, and the domestic technology industry will become more competitive on the global market – emphasizes Vasiljević, announcing that preparations are underway for the third edition of the Gray Book of Innovations, and that all interested researchers and innovators can submit their ideas and suggestions for improving the regulatory framework via the website www.startech.org.rs.
The StarTech project, implemented by NALED with financial support from Philip Morris, contributes to creating an environment conducive to innovation and digital transformation in Serbia – not only by reducing bureaucracy and improving regulations but also by providing direct financial support to domestic startups, technology companies, and researchers. To date, 99 innovative ideas have been supported through this project with a total of 3.5 million dollars in grants, and a new public call for the allocation of an additional 500,000 dollars has recently been announced.
