The Wood Processing Association of Berane had the honor of participating in the Cluster Conference of Southeast Europe, held on April 10–11, 2017, at the luxurious Sheraton Hotel in Dubrovnik, organized by the Croatian Wood Cluster.
The aim of this international event was to examine the current challenges faced by clusters in the region, enable experience sharing, analyze a wide range of proposals, and formulate concrete conclusions that could serve as a foundation for strengthening competitiveness and enhancing the practical implementation of the cluster approach.
The conference brought together over 100 experts from 12 countries, including representatives from industry, cluster organizations, academia, and relevant institutions. In addition to the host, the Croatian Wood Cluster, the event was supported by several international partners and organizations.
On the first day, special attention was given to the presentation by Ivana Lukid, Director of the Green Building Cluster from Niš, who took part in a mini panel discussion on the topic “Clusters in National Policies and Strategies.” She presented the goals, activities, and achievements of her cluster to date.
Throughout the conference, the growing importance of clusters in modern economies was emphasized—especially in Southeast European countries—where they are becoming a key platform for business networking, fostering innovation, developing green energy and robotics, and strengthening education aimed at understanding how clusters function. Particular emphasis was placed on the role of cluster managers as drivers of change and modernization within their sectors.
As part of the program, awards were presented to the most successful clusters in the region:
-
Vojvodina ICT Cluster (Milan Šolaja)
-
Croatian Agricultural Machinery Cluster (Željko Erkapid)
-
Slovenian Construction Cluster (Vladimir Gumilar)
At the conclusion of the event, the organizers received high praise from participants, particularly Mr. Marijan Kavran, Director of the Croatian Wood Cluster, for his outstanding organization and hospitality. The conference concluded with an informal networking session and a boat trip around Dubrovnik, further strengthening the collaborative ties between clusters in the region.
