On 12 June 2024, the Smart Manufacturing Innovation Centre (SMIC) was officially inaugurated in Novi Sad, marking a pivotal moment for Serbia and the Western Balkans.
As part of the UNIDO project supported by the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport of the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovene Enterprise Fund, the center aims to integrate advanced digital technologies into Serbia’s manufacturing sector.
Located at the University of Novi Sad, SMIC will facilitate cutting-edge research in AI, IoT, robotics, and more, driving the digital transformation of the Western Balkans’ industrial landscape.
Various public figures including state and local government officials, industry leaders and representatives from the education sector attended the opening ceremony.
In his statement, Mr. Ciyong Zou, Deputy to the Director General of UNIDO, emphasized that this moment marks a significant milestone for both Serbia and the Western Balkans, representing a crucial step towards sustainable industrial development. “I am honored to support this Center, which will act as a catalyst for cooperation between the private sector, government, and academia,” he said.
Matjaž Han, the Slovenian Minister of Economy, Tourism, and Sport, expressed his satisfaction with Slovenia’s support for the project, stating, “We expect this center to become a key innovation hub in the Western Balkans, merging knowledge and new technologies to create sustainable industrial solutions.”
Watch the full interview on Serbian TV: https://t.ly/BsSs8
Watch the full interview on Slovenian TV: https://t.ly/kep9G