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About SME Compass

SME Compass is a platform designed to analyze the competitiveness of the domestic SME economy in Serbia.
The platform aims to enable various stakeholders to quickly find useful answers about the structure, performance, and development needs of the economy as a whole, or by segment. Data for the platform has been collected over several years, organized through the following modules:
• SME Compass Index, for monitoring the competitiveness of the SME sector through survey and financial indicators.
• ESG Readiness Monitor, for monitoring companies' readiness for ESG requirements from markets, banks, and supply chains.
• Compass BizMap, for business-financial benchmarking of the economy based on APR (Business Registers Agency) data.

About CEVES

CEVES stands as Serbia’s prominent economic think-and-do tank, striving for the socio-economic alignment of Serbia and the Western Balkans with the European Union. It is dedicated to promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth and sound political economy that is entrepreneurially driven and adheres to the rule of law. CEVES’ particular emphasis is on developing the private sector, especially SMEs, accountable governance and responsible green transition.

The organization continues to advocate for developmental policy shift towards empowering the domestic SMEs, positioning them as ‘hidden champions’ and key drivers of economic growth.

Recognizing the growing importance of an emerging segment of high-performing manufacturing SMEs, CEVES has influenced the strategic approaches of international partners and the developmental initiatives of the Chamber of Commerce. CEVES continues to advocate for a shift in the country’s development policy focus towards the country’s SMEs, many of which are becoming true “hidden champions” and potential growth drivers.

Data analysis is integral to CEVES’ mission, with the organization being recognized for its data-driven and empirical approach to shaping policy and its advocacy efforts. Its data analyses are characterized by its rich detail, rigorous yet practical application of economic principles, and a unique ability to identify and communicate emerging economic patterns. The organization’s commitment to and methodology for data excellence are detailed further in the Data Excellence section.

Team behind SME Compass

SME Compass is led by Nemanja Sormaz and Pavle Medic, resulting from collaborative efforts among the CEVES SME team, various researchers, industry partners, and our alumni network.

We extend our gratitude to the Research team and our Alumni, with special mentions to Vladimir Jovanovic, XYZ…

President of the Board

Kori Udovički

Nemanja Šormaz is the Director of Center for Advanced Economic Studies (CEVES). During five years in CEVES, he has been actively engaged with policymakers and other key stakeholders on economic development projects. He develops and coordinates projects with a goal to enable sustainable, smart and inclusive economic growth.

Nemanja is a lead author of two foundational and innovative studies “Serbia’s Real Sector Performance” and “Supporting and stimulating growth of competitive industries – Development Potential Index”. He led an in-depth gap analyses of 1.000 firms of Serbia’s economy, through survey and interviews, with a goal to understand critical success factors of performance and competitiveness, as well as existing constraints that block the potential of firms in Serbia’s economy.

During his career, he has also gained very significant experience and knowledge as a special adviser to Mrs. Ana Brnabic, Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, and Kori Udovicki, the Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia’s Government. He led a process of rightsizing of Serbia’s general government, while creating a holistic and clear picture about its structure, functionality and performance, with a goal to enable regular monitoring and measuring of its results, as well as the international benchmarking.

Chief Economist

Pavle Medic

Pavle Medic is the Deputy Chief Economist at the Center for Advanced Economic Studies (CEVES). As Deputy Chief Economist, he is engaged at managing and developing projects and project proposals, as well as selecting and training of employees. He primarily covers the topics of labor market, private sector development, public finances, inequality, as well as various types of impact assessment analyzes.

He started his professional career with a summer internship at the National Bank of Serbia in the Sector for Monetary Operations in 2018, after which has been employed in CEVES. He gained substantial experience working as an independent consultant for leading international and domestic organizations – the World Bank, the International Labor Organization, UNICEF, The Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction Unit, the Union of Employers of Serbia and similar. Since September 2021, he is engaged at the Faculty of Law, University of Belgrade, where he works as a teaching associate for the subjects Principles of Economics and Financial Markets.

He graduated in Economic Analysis and Policy at the Faculty of Economics, University of Belgrade, and is currently in the process of writing a master’s thesis in the International Masters in Quantitative Finance (IMQF) program at the same faculty. He is also completing a master’s degree at the Law and Economics Module of the Faculty of Law, University of Belgrade.

Igor Kiso

Igor Kiso

Web Developer

Sanja Polovina

Brand and Web Designer

Bojan Janković

Bojan Janković

Data developer

Quality Over Quantity

Data Excellence

1

Data Integrity

At CEVES, we adhere to a rigorous process of data verification and validation to ensure the highest quality of information within the SME Compass. Our annual survey is thoroughly designed to be fully representative, crafted to reflect reality objectively and minimize biases. The entire process, from the training of enumerators to the verification of responses, is led by statistical professionals.
2

Integration of Diverse Data Sources

The SME Compass integrates diverse data sources, from Serbia’s official statistics and reputable international databases to annual surveys and financial statements. Each dataset undergoes careful cleansing and verification. Whenever possible, we utilize cross-referencing against multiple trusted sources to uphold data accuracy and reliability.
3

Timely Data

We are committed to providing users with access to real-time or near-real-time data whenever possible, empowering them to make informed decisions promptly. Timely access to data is crucial for businesses to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving economic landscape.
4

User-centric Design

We invest our best efforts in creating user-friendly SME Compass dashboards, facilitating intuitive navigation and simplifying the understanding of complex data. Your constructive feedback is highly valued and instrumental in enhancing our work and platform.
5

Data-Driven Decision-Making Culture

CEVES encourages the promotion and adoption of a data-driven culture, illustrating how timely, reliable, and contextually presented data can serve as invaluable intelligence for decision-making.
6

Security and Ethical Data Use

We are dedicated to upholding the highest ethical standards in data collection, processing, and utilization, reinforcing the trust you place in the SME Compass platform.
7

Educational Resources and Support

Continuous support and expert advice are pillars of our commitment to SMEs and all stakeholders, aimed at enhancing data literacy and analytical skills.

Use and Permissions

The SME Compass serves as an open, complimentary resource designed to enhance knowledge of the SME sector in Serbia. We invite and support the collaborative use and dissemination of insights, visualizations, and data from the SME Compass. Should you reference these materials, please cite the source as follows:

“SME Compass powered by CEVES”; “http://www.SMEcompass.rs”.

Support Our Mission

SME Compass is made possible through the support of organizations that align with our mission to advance SME growth and prosperity. If you share our vision and are interested in contributing to the success of SMEs, we welcome you to reach out for more information on how you can support our mission.

Together, we can make a difference.

Contact Us

For inquiries about specific datasets, questions regarding our data, reports of any issues, or information on collaboration opportunities, the SME Compass team is ready to assist you. Please feel free to reach out to us via email at office@ceves.org.rs, and we will be pleased to provide the support you need.