The European Commission's Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) ought to provide small and mid-sized companies in Serbia with easier access to financing, better business conditions and greater availability of information, with the aim of improving their competitiveness and development, CIP coordinator in Serbia Zorica Maric stated Friday.

At a roundtable on CIP projects held at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS), Maric said that the program needs to encourage the sectors that have the biggest growth potential, stimulate a wider use of information-communication technologies, and promote the use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency.

Maric stressed that Serbia has been an equal CIP member as of 2009, taking part in various projects with 36 other CIP members, but is still not using all the possibilities that CIP offers.

CIP helps companies by influencing general business conditions, giving grants (one-time aid) for innovation projects which contribute to the improvement of competitiveness and business, Maric underscored.

Coordinator of PKS's office for cooperation with the EU Kristina Djuric pointed out that public tenders will be invited in 2011 for the projects to be financed by CIP, in the area of creative industry, tourism, eco innovations, and socially responsible business practices.

The European Enterprise Network, which has been present in Serbia since 2009, is also one of the projects financed by CIP.