Women Entrepreneurs from Montenegro & Serbia Attend EXPO 2025

• Over 30 women entrepreneurs from Montenegro and Serbia took part in the Women's Entrepreneurship EXPO 2025 in Belgrade
• It is a regional platform that fosters women-led businesses throughout Europe and Central Asia

On October 7, more than 30 women entrepreneurs from Montenegro and Serbia in Belgrade to take part in the Women Entrepreneurship EXPO 2025, a regional platform for women in business in Europe and Central Asia to support and empower women in business. 

This year's EXPO was under the topic "Gender Equality in a Changing World - Unlocking Growth Potentials for Women Entrepreneurs through Gender Responsive Procurement", and a part of the France - Western Balkans Business Forum.

The event was organized by Chamber de Commerce in cooperation with UN Women, and financed by the European Union, gathering more than 150 representatives of all companies from France and Western Balkans. 

The EXPO offered a venue for women entrepreneurs to share their experiences, ideas and insights about how women's leadership and women-led innovation can support economic growth where men and women share equal opportunities.

Evidence shows that women's participation in firm ownership and management remains scant at about 20 percent in the Western Balkans. Where women do own firms, in small firms, women own the majority of shares in 15 percent of small firms and in less than 10 percent of larger firms.

During her opening remarks, Belén Sanz Luque, UN Women Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, emphasized that by expanding women's economic participation far-reaching community benefits will be gained.

She also cited research demonstrating that companies whose leadership invests in increased employment of women and their participation in leadership positions have better performance with organizational efficiency and consequently business development.

Belen noted that this support of women entrepreneurs, particularly those leading micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, is increasing but still has a long way to go.

She further noted that in Serbia, women are now 30 percent of all entrepreneurs and 70 percent of new ones, vastly larger than 10 years ago.

Sanja Ivanic, the President of the French Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that when equality is the starting point for any business, everybody wins and progress can develop sustainability.

During the event, participants had opportunities to engage in interactive session activities, B2B meetings, and the “Expert Village” networking space to facilitate knowledge sharing, partnerships, and future business growth and market access.

Olja Janković Leković, UN Women Serbia Programme Analyst, concluded that by offering women entrepreneurs a platform to connect, learn, and expand their networks, EXPO continues to play an important role in strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem, while promoting gender equality as a driver of economic development.