Speakers

Andrea Hochhuber has been working as Head of the European Integration and Economic Section at the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia since September 2020. She also covers trade matters and regional economic cooperation. Prior to her assignment in Belgrade she led a team in the European Commission’s Support Group for Ukraine facilitating structural reforms in Ukraine. During her career in the European Commission in the field of external relations she also dealt with Civilian Crisis Management Missions of the European Union, trade defence matters and was posted to two other European Union Delegations.

Logistics Manager, Hutchinson Ruma d.o.o.

Franck Riester was born in Paris (15th arrondissement) on 3 January 1974 University education • Graduate of ISG Business School• Graduate of ESSEC Business School, Master’s degree in Local Government Professional Experience • Consultant at the firm Arthur Andersen (1998 to 1999)• Chief Executive of Riester SA Peugeot dealerships (2000 to 2018) Electoral mandates and ministerial positions • Municipal Councillor for Coulommiers (1995 to 2001, since 2017)• Councillor in the Coulommiers Pays de Brie urban community• Deputy Mayor of Coulommiers (2001 to 2008)• Mayor of Coulommiers (2008 to 2017)• National Assembly Deputy for the 5th constituency of Seine-et-Marne (2007 to 2018)• Co-chair of the UDI, Agir et Indépendants Group at the French National Assembly (2017 to 2018)• Minister of Culture (2018 to 2020)• Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs (2020 to 2022)• Minister Delegate for Relations with Parliament, attached to the Prime Minister (2022 to 2024)  A graduate of ISG and ESSEC Business Schools, Franck Riester began his career as a consultant in 1998 at the firm Arthur Andersen, before running his family Peugeot dealership in 2000. He became a Municipal Councillor for Coulommiers in 1995, held the position of Deputy Mayor from 2001 to 2008 and was elected Mayor of Coulommiers in 2008. In 2007, Franck Riester was elected to the National Assembly.He was re-elected in 2012, 2017 and 2022. At the National Assembly, he co-chaired the parliamentary group Les Constructifs and then UDI, Agir et Indépendantsfrom 2017 to 2018. In 2018, he founded the Agir, la droite constructive party, of which he is Chair. He joined Édouard Philippe’s Government in October 2018 as Minister of Culture. In 2020, he was appointed Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs. In July 2022, he became Minister Delegate for Relations with Parliament, attached to the Prime Minister. In February 2024, he was again made Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Economic Attractiveness, Francophonie and French Nationals Abroad, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

Currently serves as the CEO of the company EXPO 2027 D.O.O. Belgrade, the official organiser of the International Recognised Exhibition EXPO 2027. Dušan actively participated in the bidding process for the host of the Specialised EXPO as the project manager for Belgrade, Serbia. He also holds the position of Vice dean at the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management at the Singidunum University in Belgrade, and a visiting professor at University of Strasbourg, EM Business School, France. Before joining the EXPO 2027 project, Dušan served as the CEO of the Serbia Convention Bureau (Tourism Organization of Serbia) in charge of destination marketing for business events. In 2021 and 2022 he received a “Meeting star” award as the most influential destination representative in the meetings industry in Europe. He is fluent in English, French, and Italian. Dušan received a National Scholarship as one of the top 1000 early-career researchers in Serbia in 2018. His professional background includes work experience in one of the largest hotel management companies in the region. He is still serving as a member of the editorial board for the SCOPUS indexed journal “Academica Turistica - Tourism and Innovation journal” and “International Journal of Business Events and Legacies”. Passionate about Tourism Economics, Events management, Hotel Management, Revenue Management, and Sports Tourism.

Nicolas Marquier is IFC’s Regional Manager for the Western Balkans, overseeing IFC’s strategy and business, as well as managing key client relationships across Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Based in Belgrade, he oversees IFC's regional efforts to spur private sector growth and attract private investment in key areas, including connectivity, inclusion and climate resilience. Nicolas joined IFC in 2010 and has worked there in various capacities. Most recently, he served as IFC’s Country Manager for Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam, strengthening the IFC’s Asia and Pacific regional hub office operations and ramping up its outbound investments to emerging markets. Prior to that, he was the Adviser to two successive IFC CEOs during formative times for the institution. He contributed to the development and implementation of IFC’s strategy, led organizational changes, helped address advisory and investment project related issues and developed strong relationships with IBRD, IDA and MIGA as well as with clients and development partners. Before joining IFC, Nicolas worked as a Management Consultant on a variety of strategic and business transformation projects across Europe, Middle East and Asia. Nicolas was born and raised in Aix-en-Provence, France. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Durham and a master’s degree in Organizational Management from Paris Sorbonne University.

François Berisot has been in the airport industry since 1998 when he first joined Aeroports de Paris, and subsequently with VINCI Airports. He served in many different roles related to Operations, Strategic Planning, Financial performance and modelling, Project Finance. Francois spent more than half of his career outside of France as an expatriate: first in Jordan from 2007 to 2010, as Chief Operations Officer of the Amman Queen Alia International Airport, then 6 years in Turkey, serving as the Chief Financial Officer of a prominent airport-specialised general contractor, and more recently in Serbia since mid-2019. Francois is currently Chief Executive Officer of Belgrade Airport, the 100% VINCI Airports company in charge of the 25 year Concession Agreement for the management, reconstruction and expansion of the Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport.

Director General of the National Committee of Foreign Trade Advisors of France, Emmanuel Montanié, began his career within the National Committee, as a project manager. In 2006, he joined MEDEF where he served as Deputy Director of International Affairs. In this capacity, Emmanuel Montanié played a major role in defending the interests of French companies and in promoting their international development.

Ognjenka Lalović, MSc, Director of Economy Department In almost 20 years long professional career, Ognjenka Lalović performed various job titles up to today’s position of Director of Economy Department in the frame of Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ms. Lalovic has been involved in numerous activities and focused projects related to boosting of B&H economy competitiveness and internationalization, SMEs policy advocacy, domestic and international projects involving benefits for SMEs in the country and the Region. Author and co-author of a respectable number of expert articles and studies, i.e. 'Free Trade-CEFTA non-tariff barriers' (Lj. Tesmanovic and O.Lalovic, Belgrade, 2019), Internationalization of SMEs in BiH – Towards harmonization of policies and support instruments (Banja Luka, 2021), etc.

Mihailo Vesović, Director of the Division for Strategic Analyses, Services and Internationalization. Mihailo Vesović was born on 3 May 1972, in Belgrade. He graduated from the Mechanical Engineering Faculty in Belgrade, and earned a degree of Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering. He was a Secretary of the CCIS Association of Metal and Electric Power Industry, after which he was appointed to the position of Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Economy and Privatization, and in the Ministry of Trade and Services. In 2008, he was elected CCIS Vice President, for two terms of office, where his main focus were international economic relations. In his multiannual work for the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, he was also Director of the CCIS Centre for Innovations, and CCIS Deputy General Manager, and Advisor to CCIS President in charge of issues relating to digital transformation of the economy and cooperation between the science and economy. Today, he is Director of the Division for Strategic Analyses, Services and Internationalization. He participated in the creation of the first Cluster Development Support Programme; he organized participation of Serbian companies in a large number of international fairs; he headed numerous international trade missions; he was Deputy Co-chair of the Serbia – Russia Joint Committee; he was President of the National Oil Committee Assembly; he participated in the implementation of a large number of international projects of the EU and World Bank; and he was a Coordinator in the Best of Serbia Campaign. He is a member of the Mechanical Engineering Faculty Council. He is married and father of two children.

He graduated in 1999 from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of Pristina. He began his career at Elektroprivreda Srbije, where he participated in various projects of renewal of transmission network. Through programs and projects conducted by international energy organizations, of which he was a member, he contributed to the improvement and enhancement of the power distribution system and the enhancement of the business capacities of public enterprises. Since 2006, he has been working at Schneider Electric, leading various projects both in Serbia and in France. Upon returning from Grenoble, he took over the management of projects in the oil and gas sector, and since 2010, he has been part of the company's management in Serbia, first as the director of the low-voltage distribution sector, then as the director of the energy sector, and since 2016, as the general manager of the company for the territory of Serbia and Montenegro. Since March 2020, he has been on position of Power Systems Vice President for Southeast Europe at Schneider Electric.

Senka has almost 20 years of professional experience, of which 10 years at the airport in Belgrade and 8 years in airport executive management roles. Senka has been holding a position of Chief Administrative Officer since December 2018, when VINCI Airports was appointed for modernization and management of Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport. Senka currently oversees HR, Communications, Legal, QHSE and CSR functions at Beograde Airport. Previously, since 2016, within Joint Stock Company Airport Nikola Tesla Belgrade majority owned by the Republic of Serbia, Senka was holding a position of an Executive Director/Board Member responsible for commercial and marketing as well as strategic development of the airport. She intially joined the airport team in 2014 as an advisor to the CEO for corporate governance, communication, and strategic relations. Prior to joining the airport, from 2009 until 2014 Senka was in charge of coordination, financing and monitoring of major infrastructure projects within Mayor’s Office, City of Belgrade Administration. Between 2006 and 2009 she was employed at Jat Airways, Serbian flag carrier, as Chief of Staff to the CEO. Until 2006 she worked in the multinational company Ball Packaging Europe and in Italian Institute in Belgrade. Senka holds a master’s degree in organizational sciences and a bachelor’s degree in Italian language and literature, from State University of Belgrade. She graduated at Trinity High School Las Vegas, USA. She is married to Filip and is a proud mother of three children, Klara and Matej who are 12 years old and Aleksa who is 7 years old.

Bosko Maravic, Born in Belgrade 1972. Educated at University of Belgrade, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering as Processing Techniques Engineer And Specialised in Environmental science at Alternative Academic Educational Network. Board Member of Union of Mechanical and Electrotechnical Engineers and Technicians of Serbia/ Society of Processing Engineers Environmental Social Health and Safety Manager (HSES Manager) at BCE’s (Belgrade Clean Energy) Company established by Veolia Groupe, Itochu and EU Margarette to implement PPP Agreement between City of Belgrade in constructing Vinca Landfill Project. Environmental consultant with over 22 years of professional experience in environmental and social sector through assessment studies on infrastructure, highways and railways capital projects and municipal and small and medium enterprises projects, and 8 years of Health and Safety related experience and experience in the implementation of environmental and social component of projects funded by EU and other international funding agencies and/or programs like EU/IPA/IFC/EIB/EBRD/IBRD/USAID, out of which over 15 years of experience in IPA countries.

Started his career in the communication industry more than 25 years ago. In the late nineties, he was actively involved in political life and proved himself as a street Freedom fighter. After that, he articulated his own path through the organized communications industry. First in the small but excellent local creative agency Srebrn Tuš, then through the position of marketing director of Vojvođanska Banka, and finally as general manager of the Belgrade Fair. He joined Publicis Groupe Serbia in 2010 and, since then, has been actively working to preserve the leadership position and further develop the agencies Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi&Saatchi, as well as the media agencies Zenit and Starcom. Since April 2017, he has been the CEO of Publics Groupe for the Adriatic region.

Stevan Pechitch is an accomplished professional currently serving, among others, as the Director at Solar Power East and Alternative Consulting, two functions that leverage his extensive background in management and consulting. Based in Serbia, Stevan has built a remarkable career with notable positions at several esteemed organizations, and is also a member of the Conseillers du Commerce extérieur de la France. His academic credentials include a Master in Management from ESCP Business School, obtained in 1997 and a Master in Law from the Pantheon-Assas University in Paris (1998). Stevan's expertise spans a diverse range of areas essential for the renewable energy sector and beyond. His proficiency in International Development, Management Consulting, European Union affairs, Business Planning, and Financial Analysis positions him as a key contributor to the strategic direction and growth of Solar Power East and Alternative Consulting. His insights and strategic vision are instrumental in navigating the complexities of various sectors including EU integration and the energy industry, driving innovation, and fostering sustainable development.

With over 30 years of experience in the IT industry, Dragan Stokić began his career as a network engineer at IBIS-SYS Belgrade (1993-1995), then served as Head of the System SW & Networking Department (1995-1996), and later as Technical Director (1996-1998). From 1998 to 2005, he worked as the IT Director at the Public Enterprise PTT Serbia. From 2005 to 2018, he was the CEO of Atos IT Solutions and Services d.o.o. Belgrade and CEO of Atos SEE. Between 2018 and 2023, he served as CEO of Atos SEE Country Group, and since 2023, he has taken on the role of CEO of Eviden SEE+PL region. Dragan has also been the President of the French-Serbian Chamber of Commerce since 2021, where he has enhanced the visibility and influence of the chamber in Serbia and continues to contribute to the activities and development of French-Serbian cooperation.

Sanja Ivanić is the General Director of the French-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (CCIFS), an organization that plays a key role in enhancing economic relations between France and Serbia. Under her leadership, CCIFS actively supports French companies seeking to enter the Serbian market, as well as Serbian firms interested in doing business in France. Sanja Ivanić is dedicated to strengthening business cooperation by organizing various business forums, seminars, and workshops that allow chamber members to network, share experiences, and find new business partners. Additionally, Sanja Ivanić plays an important role in promoting investments and facilitating trade activities between the two countries. Her expertise and vision contribute to strategically positioning CCIFS as a central hub for information and support for companies seeking business opportunities in the region. She also actively works on showcasing Serbia's economic potential to French investors and vice versa, thereby contributing to better understanding and a favorable business climate.

Deputy Head of the Regional Economic Department of the French Embassy, covering macroeconomics, regional integration and EU accession for the Western Balkans, Céline Héricher has been previously posted in Tunisia and Turkiye, covering economic diplomacy, French trade and project financing. She is graduated from HEC Paris.

Nebojša Nedeljković graduated as a mechanical engineer from the School of Mechanical Engineering in Mulhouse in 1998. His professional journey began in 1999 when he took on the role of a production engineer at Peugeot. Motivated by ambitions and a keen interest in international business, he commenced his master's studies in International Industrial Management in 2000. Upon completing his master's degree, Nebojša moved to Poland to lead a project involving the transfer of the Arcelor factory, which is now known as Mittal. A few years later, in 2003, he was driven by a desire to explore his heritage, leading him to Serbia. There, he played a pivotal role in establishing the French company Le Belier, which continues to operate successfully in his hometown. In 2007, Nebojša began his tenure with the La Fonte Ardennaise group. This collaboration led to the establishment of Mecafor Products, where he serves as the director to this day. Under his leadership, Mecafor Products has flourished over the years, now employing 170 people, predominantly from the younger generation, which he finds particularly gratifying. After spending two decades in Serbia, Nebojša takes pride in his contributions to the industrial and economic development of the city and country. His efforts have been recognized with numerous awards, most notably the Business Leader of the Republic of Serbia award in 2020. Fluent in four languages and with extensive experience in multicultural environments, Nebojša possesses a deep understanding of the economy, culture, and people of both Serbia and France. He views this as a significant advantage, particularly in identifying and understanding promising opportunities.

Documentary director by vocation, proven social impact and strategic communications expert by experience, and entrepreneur by conviction, Darko is the founder and managing partner of Propulsion, a man whose vision and tirelessness have driven this Central European organization's successes forward since day one to be one of the leading suppliers of social impact solutions in Bratislava, Zagreb, Belgrade, and Sarajevo. While still at school, Darko worked as a journalist, content editor, and live presenter on the radio. His next leap was into the world of PR and communications, in which he acquired plenty of practical experience before starting Propulsion in 2010.

HSE Manager in Hutchinson d.o.o Ruma. Managing occupational health and safety, fire protection, environmental protection and sustainability road.Master engineer of technology, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy. Work experience mostly in automotive industry.

20 years of experience in the public support for French exporters9 years abroad : in Turkey, South Africa, Hungary and Greece

Boris Bjelica Acting Director of GDS (Gradjevinska Direkcija Srbije /Construction Directorate of Serbia) Boris has been holding the position of Acting Director of GDS since 2022. He has 28 years of work experience in Serbia, Montenegro and the United States, in both private and public sectors, including high-tech engineering and manufacturing, real estate management and finance, investment banking, state administration and international development. Boris holds an MBA degree and a BS degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. He is a licensed project manager professional (PMP).

Antoine Avignon was born in Paris, France, in 1975, and spent part of his childhood in Grenoble, where he learnt about the Alpine fauna and flora, before moving to Toulouse, where his passion for diplomacy and international development continued to grow. In 2003, he moved to work with the European Union in Africa on large portfolio of infrastructures, water supply/sanitation, wildlife conservation, policies, institutions and capacity building. He moved to Albania in 2009 to work on EU accession and in particular, on the EU Chapter 27 for environment and climate, where he launched a series of projects, such as Natura 2000, support to environmental law alignment and enforcement, or waste management. Since 2017 based in Belgrade, Antoine works at the European Union Delegation to Serbia in charge of the environment and climate action portfolio. His activities cover policy dialogue with Serbia, programming and implementing large investments, donor coordination, and lately kick-starting the Green Agenda for Western Balkans.