First regional conference organised by ProCredit Bank dedicated to the green transition and sustainable operations

We are proud to announce that for over a decade now we have been systemically dedicated to transforming our operations toward sustainability and having a positive impact on the green transition of our clients’ operations.
The first steps in this direction were taken in 2012 when we defined procedures that impact the environment and our surroundings. Both on an internal and external level, we continuously monitor our impact on the environment. 
Since then, much has been done: the first fully automatic 24/7 Zones replaced bank tellers, 100% of all transactions are performed electronically; we open retail client accounts without them having to visit the bank; our fleet of vehicles is fully eco-friendly; we have installed a nation-wide network of e-chargers that are free of charge for everyone; our Head Office has been equipped with a solar power plant and we are the first bank to purchase electricity derived solely from renewable sources of energy.

We were the first to recognise the significance of sustainable projects and funded the first solar power plant in Serbia, as well as the largest bifacial plant that began operating in 2023, as well as implementing a number of other sustainable projects!
 

What motivated us to organise the conference?

We are pleased to emphasise the results we have achieved in terms of ESG, but are aware of the fact that many more corporate actors need to ‘go green’, in order for our vision of a healthy and safe environment to come to fruition. This was the main motivation for us to accelerate and facilitate reaching our goal in this way, by facilitating direct contact and discussions with those involved in green transition.

Opening the conference

20 panelists participated in the conference. Among them were people from the corporate and finance sectors as well as ESG consultants and experts. 250 guests from the region - professionals, representatives of consultant firms as well as the diplomatic corps and the Ministry of Energy attended the event.  
During the opening of the conference Chairman of the Executive Board, Igor Anić called attention to the motives for organising this type of conference and the significance of including all corporate actors in green transformation. Following this, and aiming to demonstrate the support of the Ministry of Mining and Energy, Councilor Maja Vukadinović spoke about plans for the further development of the National Energy Strategy.
The conference was officially launched by Her Excellency Anke Konrad, Ambassador of the Republic of Germany to Serbia.
 

Topics of discussion and panelists

The internationally recognised financial expert in the field of financial sustainability, Sasja Beslik of Sweden then addressed the audience. He began his presentation by showing a global image of economic movement, risks and aspirations, highlighting how important it is to the green transition that each person recognises in themselves and in their micro environment the need to ‘go green’ in the way we both think and act. 

4 panel discussions followed.

Among the panelists were the following renowned experts from international and local companies and institutions: EBRD, the European Investment Bank, ProCredit Holding from Germany, Finance in Motion, AHK the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Deloitte. Serbia, the WHO, Schneider Electric, EY, CMS, Unimet, Enel PS, and Natura Trade.
The first panel entitled ‘Green Transition - Now and Everyone’ explains the green transition and its achievability, answers questions about what awaits us between now and the year 2030 as well as beyond 2050 and defines the transition’s key actors.

Panelist Olivera Zlatić, representing Enel PS, Danko Kalkan from EY, Metodija Minoski from PCH and Miloš Vuksanović representing Schneider Electric initiated an interesting discussion and led us to think about specific examples in practice and encouraged us to modify our daily activities to contribute to a green future. 

‘Carbon tax or life tax’ was the title of the second conference panel.
 Elizabet Paunović, former Director of the European Center for Environment and Health of the WHO, presented an expert medical review of the importance of clean air and the challenges posed by its pollution. Ana Kunovac Ilić, Director at Unimet and Milenko Božić, Director at Natura Trade shared an exceptional practical example and explained how companies can contribute to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by making their operations more energy efficient and exploiting the potential of renewable energy sources. Maša Njegovan, a representative of Deloitte. highlighted the significance of non-financial reporting relative to the ESG components of a business. 

Enterprises that are already making great strides toward the green transition, which are leaders in corporate social responsibility, have been nicknamed ‘Green Transforms’. We were happy to invite Zoran Drakulić from Point Group Int., Miloš Kostić Director at MT KOMEX and Filip Mitrović who introduced us to electromobility. Our Ivan Smiljković reminded the conference guests of ProCredit Bank’s three management pillars, the daily efforts we make both internally and via green lending and on all of the accomplishments we have made in terms of making our operations environmentally friendly. 

The final, fourth panel was dedicated to specific financial solutions and was entitled ‘Funding - the key to opening the door to a green future’.

Aleksandra Vukasavljević, EBRD Director, Financial Institutions, Western Balkans and Eastern Europe, jokingly explained to us the interconnectedness and common features of the following financial institutions: EBRD, the European Investment Bank, ProCredit Holding and Finance in Motion. We discussed plans and future investments in sustainable solutions with the Head of the EIB Regional Office for the Western Balkans, Alessandro Bragonzi, and the Manager of Finance in Motion, Aleksandar Stojkov. Our Igor Anić emphasised the importance and impact of banks on the road to transition, with reference to the decades-long support we provide to small and medium-sized enterprises, also highlighting that an individual approach to each client is key to successful project realisation. 

We strive to ensure that these forms of discussions and gatherings become a traditional support model for businesses and the community, with the aim of empowering enterprises to establish green agendas.