NORWEGIAN ASSISTANCE FOR BUSINESS LIFE IN THE BALKANS

SINTEF is helping to create much needed jobs in the war-torn Balkans. With financial aids from Norway, the research foundation has come on board and is providing birthing aid to establish businesses in Serbia-Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina, where the unemployment level is currently around 40 percent. The business incubators assist local people to establish new businesses and also support the newly established businesses through the start phase. Staff from SINTEF will be among those proving the specialist advice. The innovation centre in Bosnia- Herzegovina is now open and the so-called BIT Centre (picture) is now underway. SINTEF has a stack of applications from individuals and companies that want to become involved. A similar arrangement in Macedonia is in the planning stages, and one in Moldova is also being considered.