About BFC SEE network

The Regional Network for Business Friendly Environment in South East Europe

The Regional Network for Business Friendly Environment in South East Europe is a unique platform for improving the competitiveness in SEE region through knowledge transfer, best practice exchange and designing and implementing reforms in public administration. The BFC SEE Network was established in 2012, by partner institutions from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia and Serbia with the support of German and Swiss Governments; in 2016 the Network has opened its doors for new partners- and Ministry of Finance of Montenegro – Sector for Financial System and Improvement of Business Environment was the first to join. 2022. the agreemant on Network expanding was signed with partners from Pristina and Tirana.

More than 1.9 million EUR has been invested so far to develop the regional platform, network structures and capacities, as well as joint programs. The BFC SEE network and its members have sparked two major regional initiatives – Business Friendly Certification of Municipalities in SEE and Electronic permitting, and implemented projects with the support of GIZ, EBRD, SDC, USAID, SIDA and World Bank.

The Network has gathered more than 20 institutions and organizations including line ministries, chambers of commerce, association of municipalities, development agencies, CSOs and academic institutions.

NALED is the Regional Technical Secretariat of the BFC SEE Network, while the founding members are:

 Association of Local Self-Governments – ZELS

 Association for Local Autonomy – ALAA

 Faculty of Economics in Rijeka

 Federal Ministry of Development, Entrepreneurship and Crafts

 Institute for Development Research - Riinvest

 Ministry of Administration and Local Self-Government of Republika Srpska

 Ministry of Finance of Montenegro – Sector for Financial System and Improvement of Business Environment

  National Alliance for Local Economic Development – NALED 

In addition to BFC SEE and E-permits as successful initiatives sparked by the Network, members of the Regional network are aiming to expand, institutionalize and strengthen the partnership in the area of business friendly environment by stimulating exchange in the following areas: 

  Grey economy and illicit trade

  Vouchers for seasonal labor

  Public private partnerships

  Cadaster reform (digitalization)

  Para-fiscal charges

  Doing business and country competitiveness

  Ag payment agency and IPARD

  Investment promotion and attraction