The evening opened with welcoming remarks from Aleksandar Milojević, co-founder of the Villa Dedinje Business Lounge concept, who greeted attendees and invited them to enjoy an evening of networking and conversation in the unique setting of the villa garden.

A special note of gratitude goes out to Her Excellency Michelle Cameron, Ambassador of Canada to Serbia. In her address, Ambassador Cameron emphasized the importance of the newly introduced direct flight between Belgrade and Toronto, highlighting its potential to further strengthen economic, business, and people-to-people connections between the two countries. Her continued support, together with that of the Embassy of Canada in Serbia, contributes significantly to fostering closer bilateral relations and supporting initiatives that bring the Canadian and Serbian business communities together.

Also, a special thank you goes to Air Serbia, and Mr. Željko Stojčić, Head of Trade, Corporate and Charter Sales, who also addressed the guests, highlighting the successful partnership between Air Serbia and CANSEE and emphasizing the importance of strengthening connectivity between Serbia and international markets.

Mirjana Dončić, Managing Director of CANSEE, welcomed guests on behalf of the association and presented special recognition awards to three long-standing members for their outstanding dedication, active participation and valuable contribution to CANSEE: Contango d.o.o, DPM Avala and RB Global/Stara Sokolova.

Ms. Dončić also expressed sincere thanks to the sponsors whose support helped make the event possible: DPM Avala, Envico, Unija ETL Accounting, MVJ Law Office, Cargo-partner, Walk Legal, Semos Education, Enel PS, Façade Engineering, Mijatović & Providžalo Law Office, Apatinska Brewery, and Stara Sokolova.

The CANSEE Salmon Business Dinner continues to serve as a valued gathering of the Canadian-Serbian business community, providing an opportunity to celebrate shared successes, strengthen professional relationships, and look toward future collaboration between the two countries.

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The General Assembly opened with welcome remarks by Ms. Mirjana Dončić-Beaton, Executive Director of CANSEE. She expressed her sincere gratitude for the continued support and successful cooperation of all CANSEE members, as well as the CANSEE Board of Directors. The members adopted the Financial Report for the year 2025.

Following the General Assembly, a Business Reception was held, attended by more than 80 distinguished guests. The event was kindly sponsored by DPM Avala, one of CANSEE’s esteemed founders, as well as by CANSEE Premium Member Zlatna Reka Resources. In the beautiful setting of the Postal Museum, guests had an exceptional opportunity to establish new business connections and further strengthen existing ones, accompanied by an elegant cocktail and selection of refreshments. Guests were also invited to tour the entire museum space through an engaging interactive presentation led by two curators, discovering an impressive collection of postal and telecommunications artifacts, as well as works of art used throughout the 186-year history of the Post of Serbia, as highlighted by Mr. Marko Jelić, Director of the Postal Museum.

Ms. Mirjana Dončić-Beaton emphasized that the past year was particularly significant for Canadian-Serbian relations, especially with the introduction of the direct Belgrade-Toronto flight after more than 30 years, further strengthening economic cooperation as well as trade and cultural ties between the two countries. She also reminded guests that this year marks the 85th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Serbia and Canada. On this occasion, a personalized postage stamp will be issued, a service provided by Srbija Marka within Pošta Srbije.

She further highlighted that CANSEE has proudly led the prestigious LEADER Project for the past ten years, a mini-MBA program implemented in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and the Ivey Business School at Western University. She announced the 11th edition of the LEADER Project, which will take place from 4 to 15 May this year, inviting companies to nominate their employees. She underlined that CANSEE’s success as a business association stems from its continuous work on promoting business and cultural relations between our two friendly countries, Canada and Serbia.

Ms. Dončić-Beaton extended special thanks to Pošta Srbije and the Postal Museum for enabling CANSEE to host this prestigious annual event at the Museum, particularly in a year when we celebrate the important milestone of 85 years of diplomatic relations.

Mr. Marko Jelić, Director of the Postal Museum, also addressed the guests. He thanked everyone for attending and invited them to enjoy touring the museum. He additionally noted that on the first Saturday of every month, the children’s workshop “Poštanski satić” is organized for children aged 6-10, where they can write and send letters to their loved ones.

The General Assembly and Business Cocktail were successfully held, offering a refined and elegant setting, the rich exhibition of the Postal Museum, and an excellent opportunity for meaningful networking and the strengthening of business connections.

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The event, co-hosted by Ambassador Michelle Cameron and CANSEE, gathered more than 100 guests and offered an excellent opportunity to reflect on our shared achievements and future plans. During the remarks, it was highlighted that this direct route represents not only improved connectivity but also an important boost for stronger economic cooperation between the two countries.

In the welcome speeches, we heard:

• H.E. Michelle Cameron – She emphasized her expectations for even stronger economic and trade results in 2026, noting the impressive 80% growth in bilateral trade during the first eight months of the year, along with significant increases in both Serbian and Canadian exports.
• Jiří Marek, Air Serbia – He highlighted that establishing the direct route to Toronto marks a historic milestone after 34 years, significantly enhancing economic, business, and cultural ties, while also facilitating travel for the Serbian diaspora and the entire region.
• Nevena Jovanović, Ministry of Foreign Affairs – She stated that the Belgrade–Toronto direct route is an exceptional achievement that will further strengthen the ties between Serbia and Canada, rooted in long-standing friendship, solidarity, and mutual understanding.

The festive atmosphere at the Embassy of Canada provided guests with a warm setting to connect, exchange ideas, and enjoy delightful food and drinks.

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The General Assembly session was attended by CANSEE members who participated in the election for the new Board of Directors. The following members were elected to the new CANSEE Board of Directors: Mr. Bryan Beaton, Atrium Property Services, Mr. Ivan Bogdanovic, RB Global-Stara Sokolova, Ms. Dragana Davidovic, DPM Avala, Ms. Dragana Dragic, Schneider Electric, Mr. Mirko Ilic, cargo-partner, Ms. Tamara Kostic, Contango, Mr. Marko Nikolic, Innomotics, and Ms. Jelena Potic, EMX Royalty/Magma Resources. Mr. Marko Nikolic was elected as the new President of the Board and Ms. Dragana Dragic for the Secretary Treasurer. Sincere congratulations to the newly elected CANSEE Board of Directors members!

Following the General Assembly, the End-of-Year Business Reception with close to 100 prominent guests was held, supported by CANSEE’s valuable members: Sobotec, DPM Avala, Korkovado, EMX Royalty, SGS, Walk Legal, and Zlatna Reka. The business reception at the festively decorated Canadian Residence was an excellent opportunity for the guests to meet again, network, plan new business activities while enjoying premium Stara Sokolova spirits and Apatinska Brewery beer and delicious assembly of hors d’oeuvres from Canada and Serbia.

Ms. Mirjana Dončić, CANSEE Managing Director, delivered an opening speech, expressing gratitude to the Embassy of Canada for its continued support and belief in CANSEE’s mission and vision. She also highlighted the CANSEE milestone achievements, including CANSEE’s 10th anniversary of fostering economic and educational development and deepening ties between Canada and Serbia as well as looking forward to 2025 that will be another landmark year for CANSEE, with the 10th anniversary of the Leader Project, an exceptional mini-MBA program, organized in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and the Embassy of Canada and in collaboration with the Richard Ivey Business School from Ontario, Canada.

In his speech, Mr. Marko Nikolic, the newly elected President of the CANSEE Board, thanked the Board members for their confidence in him and expressed that he is honored to take on the role of CANSEE president, assuring everyone that he would give his best in fulfilling his duties to continue the association’s success.

Ambassador Michelle Cameron also addressed the guests, expressing her pleasure at being in Serbia and sharing her optimism about the potential for greater collaboration between the two countries. She also expressed happiness in seeing and hearing about the many growing ties between Canada and Serbia

Guests were then treated to an evening of engaging conversation and festivities, enjoying exquisite food and drinks in a pleasant atmosphere.

CANSEE General Assembly and End-of-Year Business Reception was a resounding success, reaffirming the association’s commitment to fostering bilateral economic growth, business partnerships, and educational opportunities between Canada and Serbia.

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The event opened with a warm welcome from Mirjana Dončic-Beaton, Managing Director of CANSEE, who expressed gratitude to the Mona Plaza Hotel for partnering with the organizers for the third consecutive year. “This event provides a unique opportunity to meet business partners outside of your usual contact group and industry peers,” Dončić-Beaton noted.

This year’s event featured three key sponsors:

Cargo-partner: With over 40 years of experience in logistics, cargo-partner is a reliable partner offering comprehensive logistics solutions tailored to the specific needs of its clients. They specialize in multimodal transportation, ensuring safe and timely delivery by plane, ship, truck, or rail. In addition to transportation, cargo-partner provides warehousing, customs clearance, and complete logistics support, making them a trusted choice for businesses looking to streamline their supply chain.

Bravissimo: Owned and directed by Gordana Katić, Bravissimo is a translation agency renowned for its expertise in various sectors, including construction, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, agriculture, information technology, law, and economics. The agency prides itself on delivering high-quality translations of documents, professional texts, manuals, technical specifications, and legal documentation. Bravissimo adheres to the SRPS EN 15038:2008 standard, ensuring that clients receive accurate and reliable translations tailored to their specific needs.

Urmet: Represented by Srđan Ristić, Urmet is a global leader in security and communications solutions. Founded in 1937 in Turin, Italy, Urmet operates across six continents and boasts 13 dedicated R&D technological centers. The company has evolved from its roots in telecommunications to become a pioneer in the intercom industry, known for producing the first video intercom. Today, Urmet is committed to innovation and quality, operating in over 100 countries and providing cutting-edge security and communication systems.

Mirjana Dončić-Beaton concluded her speech by wishing all participants success and inviting them to unwind with refreshments and further networking opportunities after the meetings wrap up.

Following ten rounds of 8-minute meetings, participants enjoyed a delightful selection of food and cocktails, providing an excellent opportunity to relax and network.

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CANSEE is one of the leading organizations when it comes to the promotion of leadership and empowerment of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in Serbia, in cooperation with the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and the Embassy of Canada.

For eight years in a row, the CANSEE association in partnership with Ivey Business School of the University of Western Ontario has successfully organized the LEADER Project, a mini-MBA program for entrepreneurs. Each May, Belgrade welcomes five Canadian instructors from the Ivey Business School from Canada, who use their knowledge and experience to inspire ambitious entrepreneurs to imagine, launch and develop new ventures and business ideas. To this day, the LEADER Project Serbia has 320 alumni, and in this context, the ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the founding CANSEE association began with a panel entitled “LEADERSHIP PANEL: Empowering leaders in Serbia”.

The panel was attended by the participants of this year’s LEADER Project Serbia as well as the Canadian instructors, and the speakers on the panel were Biljana Rankić, director of the Balkan Gold company, who has over 20 years of work experience in the industry in organizational and managerial positions, Rastko Golubović, Pricing, Revenue & BI Manager from Apatinska pivara, expert in prices and revenues, as well as Ilija Ivetić, director of the Digital Grid High Value engineering center at Schneider Electric, who has spent his entire career developing Smart Grid complex IT solutions. The panel was moderated by Allen Lising, a Canadian alumnus of the Ivey Business School, who moved to Serbia with his family from Canada and runs a successful business.

During the panel, participants had the opportunity to hear from the panelists about the challenges faced during their careers, how they overcame difficulties throughout their careers, and what motivated them to continue. The panelists shared with the audience their career development path, from beginners to leaders in their company, and highlighted key moments, challenges or decisions that influenced their career path.

“Learn, learn and learn” was the message sent by all the panelists and they agreed that dedicated work, constant learning, and a great desire to succeed are the key elements for creating great leaders.

After the panel, Slađana Milojević, owner of the Nonna Handmade brand, whose products are based on the rich cultural heritage of Serbia and are made from exclusively natural materials such as linen, cotton, Serbian linen, and silk, addressed the audience as one of the first participants of the LEADER Project in Serbia and presented her exceptional collection of products.

After the presentation, CANSEE managing director Mirjana Dončić-Beaton, addressed the guests and expressed her gratitude to the Embassy of Canada, members of the CANSEE association, representatives of the Government of Serbia, numerous partners and friends who, on the occasion of CANSEE’s 10 years of dedicated work, graced the celebration with their presence.

Mirjana pointed out that this jubilee event was supported by as many as 19 member companies: Apatinska pivara, Innomotics, Dundee Precious Metals, Schneider Electric, Korkovado, Walk Legal, Reflex Drilling, Cargo-partner, Contango, Rudnik Rudnik, Envico, Teknoxgroup Srbija, Bryan Beaton, Bojović Drašković Popović and partners, Aleksandar Obrenović, as well as Stara Sokolova, Vinarija Aleksić, Sena Sweets, Production Pool, and Grafolik Printing House.

She added that since 2014, the foundations of the association have been its members, who with their commitment and selfless support have caused the growth of the association, and on that occasion, thank you plaques were presented to the founders, members, and partners as a sign of gratitude for the successful ten-year cooperation.

Awards were given to: the Canadian Ambassador H.E. Giles Norman, Honorary Member Đurđa Ćeramilac, Honorary Member Aleksandar Obrenović, Founding Member Bryan Beaton, Founding Member Dundee Precious Metals, Founding Member Apatinska pivara, Proud Member Teknoxgroup Srbija, Proud Member Contango Rudnik, Proud Member Balkan Gold, Proud Member Cargo-partner, Proud Member Schneider Electric, Founding Member Mundoro, Proud Member Stara Sokolova, Proud Member NSTLAW and Proud Member CMS.

On behalf of the CANSEE association, Mirjana emphasized the association’s common commitment to continuous growth and excellence in leadership. Key segments of her speech included the importance of maintaining a balance between giving and receiving, the idea that a problem without a solution is not a problem, and a reminder that the responsibility for change rests with all of us.

The gathering continued with a traditional Canadian salmon dinner accompanied by finest wines from the Aleksić Winery, premium beers from the Apatin Brewery and high-quality brandy from Stara Sokolova.

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Who should apply?

If you are an entrepreneur, manager, business owner, or a young professional, who works locally, but thinks globally, and are interested to succeed with your business ideas – then the LEADER Project is for you!

What will you learn?

The course topics include contemporary marketing, accounting, leadership skills, management in multicultural and international business environment, as well as covering skills for creating and presenting a business plan, and strategic analytical thinking.

When and where will it be held?

The LEADER Project will be held in Belgrade from May 13-24, 2024, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.

For the application you will need:

1. Fillable PDF application form which you can download (find underneath)
2. Narrative Biography of up to 200 words – IN ENGLISH! (which will be included in LEADER Project catalogue, if you are accepted)
3. Color photo (which will be included in LEADER Project catalogue, if you are accepted)

How should you apply?

To register your interest in participating in the upcoming LEADER Project Serbia, please send the full application (completed PDF application form, biography and color photo) to emilija.krunic@cansee.biz with title LEADER Project 2024 Application.

UPDATE: Application deadline is Wednesday, April 15!

Note: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Stay tuned for more information in the next few weeks!

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