Regional Cooperation of Small-Sized Producers and Exporters Cooperatives

by Miroslav Antevski M.A. ^[1]

abstract of article presented at the XV International Conference "Danube - River of Cooperation" (October 27 - 31 2004)

As is well known, the river remains an essential transport link for Europe, particularly after the construction of its link with the Rhine-Main. The Danube River (including its Sava tributary) is the main waterway in the region of South East Europe. The coastal states in the Danube Basin were linked to each other in the past and are in the present days. In spite of their close and longtime relations, only one part of the Danube Basin developing potentials is exploited.

Having in view that the regional cooperation is essential part of SAP and its prerequisite, all countries have to improve and develop it. One form of regional cooperation which is not yet developed is the cooperation of small-sized producers and exporters. Moreover, they are not well organized in the national states, also.

Small-sized producer and exporter is the form of entrepreneur or company which is closest to the meaning of the competitive company and real market competitor. They are in an open battlefield now, and have to organize and cooperate within the countries and abroad. The forms of their organization can be various: vertical, horizontal, as sector, local, etc. An important point in that current process is the self-organization because they not expect and not need for state help. Cooperation between various cooperatives and their merging is the way to success. Closest partners are located in the neighborhood, and the regional cooperation of such cooperatives is a starting point for their export expansion.

[1] Research Fellow at the Institute of International Politics and Economics, Belgrade
Address: Makedonska 25, 11000 Belgrade, SCG

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