HELD CONFERENCE "SMEs GO DIGITAL - DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES" AND INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING EDASOL 2024

HELD CONFERENCE "SMEs GO DIGITAL - DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES" AND INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING EDASOL 2024

Today, in the premises of the Pan-European University "APEIRON" in Banja Luka, the Conference "SMEs GO DIGITAL - Digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises" was held, as well as the Fourteenth International Scientific Conference on Economic Development and Living Standards - EDASOL 2024. The organizer of the conference is the Development Agency of the City of Prijedor "PREDA", in cooperation with project partners: Association of wood processors "Klaster DRVO-PD" and Pan-European University "APEIRON".

The conference "SMEs GO DIGITAL" is part of the project "REPRO digital transformation of the wood processing sector (REPRO DI)" supported within the wider project "Innovations and digitalization of small and medium-sized enterprises in Bosnia and Herzegovina / EU4DigitalSME", which is co-financed by the European Union and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany. and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

The goal of the "REPRO DI" project is to accelerate the technological and digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in order to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on the economy of BiH, and it is being implemented from November 2023 to August this year.

Digital transformation is becoming indispensable for maintaining competitiveness and achieving business progress in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The introduction of new technologies allows companies to optimize processes, reduce costs and improve efficiency. According to research, companies that have adopted digital strategies record significant growth in revenue and market share. Digitization not only helps companies improve productivity, but also enables them to better position themselves in the global market. Therefore, the "SMEs GO DIGITAL" Conference represented an exceptional opportunity for SMEs to get acquainted with the latest technologies and strategies of digital transformation and examples of good practice.

The conference brought together a large number of representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises, business support organizations, experts in the field of digital transformation, and other relevant actors. The goal of this event was to improve access to relevant knowledge and expertise, promote practical tools and examples of digital transformation in SMEs, and establish information channels with specific target groups and potential users.

The conference started with introductory speeches, among which were prof. Dr. Sanel Jakupović, rector of the Pan-European University "APEIRON", Aleksandar Drljača, acting director of the Development Agency of the city of Prijedor "PREDA" and Goran Vučić, head of the Cabinet of the Ministry for European Integration and International Cooperation of the Government of the Republic of Srpska.

Prof. Dr. Sanel Jakupović, rector of the Pan-European University "APEIRON", emphasized the importance of digital transformation in driving economic growth, improving living standards and strengthening competitiveness.

He also expressed his belief that the results of this conference will have a significant impact on shaping the future of our region, and he expressed his joy at the continuation of the promotion of academic excellence and cooperation in the years to come.

Aleksandar Drljača, Acting Director of the Development Agency of the City of Prijedor "PREDA", in his opening address emphasized the importance of this event for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in our region. He emphasized that digital transformation is not just a trend, but a necessary step towards sustainable growth and development of the company. He also expressed his gratitude to the donors and partners who enabled the realization of this project, and the hope that the conference will bring concrete results and encourage SMEs to adopt digital technologies.

During the event, participants had the opportunity to listen to interesting presentations and expert papers on the topic of digital transformation. Adis Burazerović, director of technologies of Publicis Sapient from London, held a presentation on "Bridging the digital divide: Empowerment through digital transformation", while Krunoslav Ris from Osijek spoke about a strategic approach to digital transformation.

The panel discussions included key topics on the importance of digitization in the pursuit of accelerated growth and development of small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as the general improvement of the business opportunities of each enterprise through the adoption of digital transformation in business.

In the first panel entitled "The importance of digitization for the accelerated growth and development of SMEs", the following participated:

• Milka Latinčić, Head of the Department for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises and Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Economy and Entrepreneurship of the Republic of Srpska

• Duško Barić, director of the Republic of Srpska ICT Agency

• Nikolina Dorontić, Center for Digital Transformation PK RS

• Aleksandar Crnovčić, Sales Director, LANACO Company

The participants of the second panel entitled "Improving company performance through digital and business transformation - Innovations, reactive and creative behavioral models of manufacturing companies and creating additional value" were:

• Dragoslav Šiljak, Masterwood doo Prijedor

• Radenko Stanić, SimpleX doo Banja Luka

• Maja Pejaković, VIS doo Banja Luka

Parallel to the conference, the Fourteenth International Scientific Conference on Economic Development and Living Standards - EDASOL 2024 was held with a focus on "Digitalization and digital transformation of society and economy in the Western Balkans". The conference gathered participants from the academic and professional community from seven countries - Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, England, Turkey and Jamaica. During the whole day's work, the authors presented a total of 27 papers in which the latest research and findings in the field of digitization and its impact on small and medium-sized enterprises and socio-economic development were presented. The conference provided a unique platform for experts to share their knowledge and experience, and exchange ideas about the challenges and opportunities brought by digitization in the Western Balkans region.

Combining these two conferences into one event provided an opportunity for the exchange of knowledge, ideas and results between science and business.