11th Purchasing Initiative Western Balkans

Source image: BME e.V.

Source image: BME e.V.

Source image: BME e.V.

To express your interest, log in or register and select the event under "Dashboard".

Join our well-established event and find matching business partners from different regions.

After the success of previous editions, BME will once again organize the Purchasing Initiative Western Balkans on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action  (BMWK) as part of the Market Development Program for SMEs (MEP) of GTAI. Together with the local Chambers of Commerce Abroad, BME is searching for suitable suppliers who meet needs and requirements of German buyers in 8 countries: Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Northern Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania.

The 11^th edition of the Purchasing Initiative Western Balkans will undoubtedly be a highlight in 2025 and will give a comprehensive overview of the local potential, especially for SMEs. Over the past ten years, purchasing initiative has opened the doors to the potential in this region of Europe in the field of production materials for German companies like no other event. 10 events, over 4000 B2B meetings and a now vibrant network of BME, AHKs and companies make this event a Best Practice in the matchmaking calendar. 

The focus this year is again on metal construction, cast and forged parts, stamped and bent parts, injection molding, plastic and electronic components, welded assemblies, assembly, production materials, drawing parts, as well as IT or engineering.

Registration for the events is now open. Register on the website or log into your profile and mark your interest in the event. Based on the buyer’s procurement needs filled in the RFI profile, suppliers can indicate their interest in meeting these companies after filling or updating their profile. Participation in the search process and registration is free of charge for suppliers and buyers. In accordance with the German government's funding guidelines, buying companies will be charged a small contribution only for taking part in on-site B2B meetings.

Buyers feedback about past event:

Windmöller & Hölscher KG: The event was very well organized with good discussions, lots of information and interesting suppliers.

Lapp Mobility GmbH: Our expectations have been exceeded.

Stäubli Bayreuth GmbH: The event had a suitable atmosphere, the quality was once again outstanding, and the entire BME team, once again did everything to make the buyer's heart beat a little faster.

Suppliers feedback about past event: 

Avexcor: I liked the atmosphere, the organization, the overall feeling of welcome, and the effort placed in the whole event.

Radiona Metalobrada: BME meetings are always great. My company has found many customers at these events over the last 6-7 years.

Orkoplast d.o.o.: It´s a great opportunity to find buyers. We are happy to attend the next event.

Impressions Purchasing Initiative Western Balkans

First steps to participate in this event 

➀ Register first as a buyer or a supplier for BME Matchmaking Service free of charge.
➁ Fill out and send the questionnaire to BME. Mark the events you are interested in.
➂ BME will inform you as soon as you get access to the profiles, can select your preferred B2B partners and register for the events.

Prices for suppliers

• Registration for BME Matchmaking service: free of charge
• B2B Booking Costs: free of charge
• The AHK partners in the respective countries are available to answer any queries from suppliers:
  AHK Serbia + AHK Croatia + AHK Slovenia and the delegations in Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania & Montenegro

Prices for buyers

• Registration for BME Matchmaking service and supplier search: free of charge
  Note: Participation only for companies with headquarters or a production site located in Germany.       
• The B2B-Meeting Booking Costs: In accordance with the funding guidelines of the Federal Ministry, a contribution must be paid for participation in the B2B Matchmaking (DeMinimis regulation). The amount depends on the size of the company:
  
  - 250 euros (net) for participants with less than 2 million euros annual turnover and fewer than 10 employees
  - 375 euros (net) for participants with less than 50 million euros annual turnover and fewer than 500 employees
  - 500 euros (net) for participants with an annual turnover of more than 50 million euros or more than 500 employees
  
  Note: After participation confirmation you receive a “De-minimis-Beihilfen” declaration (PDF) to fill out and send back to [email protected]. Should the funding limit be exhausted, a separate participation fee will be charged.

Additional information about the region provided by GTAI (German):

• Sourcingchancen auf dem Westbalkan | Im Fokus (gtai.de)
• Westbalkan - Region rückt in den Fokus | Fact Sheet (gtai.de)
• Neue Märkte - Neue Chancen: Bosnien und Herzegowina | Neue Märkte Neue Chancen (gtai.de)

Contact: In case of questions, please contact us at [email protected]

In co-operation with: 

Sources Impressions: BME/Rosie Fontanilla, BME/Wolf Heider-Sawall