Alexander Samonig, owner of Ecovis Confidas and Managing Partner of Ecovis SEE
Alexander Samonig came to Serbia 11 years ago and has developed a highly successful consulting company. We spoke with this Austrian in ECOVIS’s luxurious suite on the 19th floor of the Ušće Business Centre, where the company in cooperation with partnership company SEE Business Embassies leases out space to its clients. When he talks about the Serbs, he says “we”, but points out that in Serbia – although he is married to a Serb – he will always be a foreigner. Samonig says that Serbia is a country where “you can fly even without an aeroplane,” his homeland and destiny.
Here I’ve done things that I’d never be able to do anywhere else because the market is occupied. We are co-owners of a school, we have developed an industrial zone, we are owners of “boarding houses”, we have a company that deals with human services etc. Quite simply, I connected consulting with the possibilities that Serbia offered and offered services required by the market.
You came to Serbia in 2002. How does Serbia look today, compared to the period when you first started doing business here?
Let me tell you just from the perspective of New Belgrade. Half the business buildings in New Belgrade did not exist in 2002. When you look at the Belgrade of 2002 and that of 2013, you can see a big difference. However, Belgrade is not Serbia. I think a lot has happened, but even more is needed, especially in terms of economic development. In 2002 the outlook for business was great. It is true that, during 2007, that was lost, but I can say that it is returning. I am convinced that 2013 will be a crucial year. It’s a fact that we have great opportunities, they only have to be realised.
Why did you opt for Serbia?
I wanted to create an office for tax consulting and when I talked to people from here I saw that the conditions were favourable and that a good business could be developed in Serbia. I think I made a good assessment.
Did you have political support when you started; and do you think that’s even necessary in business?
I did not have it and I do not want it! A proper entrepreneur doesn’t need political support. Politics should only create a framework in which we can work – a legal framework. Politics should be my “supplier” and nothing else. Of course, there are projects which politics should be involved in – such as the production of bio-ethanol – and similar strategically important projects for the state. When it comes to small and medium-sized businesses, our goal should be for there to be no political involvement.
You are an “advising entrepreneur for entrepreneurs”. What advice do you most often offer?
When someone wants to do something, I first listen to them well, then immediately tell them what I honestly think about it. For some things it’s just not the right time, for some it’s too early, but there are those for which the time is just right now. It is individual and therefore the advice is also individual. Generally, I think we should be realistic. One shouldn’t say it’s all hunky dory, and then convince people otherwise. We need to understand something: entrepreneurship means risk taking, and that risk must ultimately be rewarded with profit. Foreigners do not come here because it’s nice, but rather to turn a profit.
In your opinion, what should be improved in Serbia?
Interest rates on loans for a start! How is it that in Austria I can take out a loan with three per cent interest, while in Serbia it’s nine? You cannot earn on an interest rate of nine per cent. Why can’t good companies get more reasonable credit than the bad ones? There’re more things that could be improved. I think that “loan jobs”, especially in the metal industry, have a great future in Serbia. That would bring a lot of jobs to Serbia and I think that’s a great thing. I have to point out that it’s also very important for us that the labour law is flexible. It should be permitted for people to hire someone for a month, if there is a need for that profile of worker for such a period of time. It particularly bothers me that there are many people who do not respect the law, while those of us who respect it are harassed. For example, a law on mobbing: someone who does not employ workers, or rather does not report them and pay contributions for them, do not care about the law on mobbing. First we need to resolve that all workers are employed as required by law, and then another step to deal with mobbing. I see that something is changing in Serbia. Not fast enough, but it is changing. We, investors and entrepreneurs, have to tell the authorities what bothers us. If we do not tell them what problems we have, then they will not solve them.
What is Serbia’s greatest potential?
Realistically viewed, Serbia is a fairly large country that is not yet in the EU. Its position is very important: the Sava, the Danube, highways, infrastructure etc. In the first place I would put agribusiness, then “loan jobs” – that means that in virtually every village a small factory could be opened that would employ around 50 workers. Likewise, I also see potential in hotels in Belgrade (only in big cities). I know Serbia has the potential for the development of spa tourism, but I think it’s not yet time for that and. In the end, the development of “retail parks”, centres with dozens of shops opened all over Serbia. I emphasise, my focus is on “loan business” – this is what will save the country!
What is ECOVIS?
Tell us what your company does?
ECOVIS connects ECO-nomy and VIS-ion. We offer tax, legal and management consulting, accounting and administration services and we are among the ten most important on the market. We work mainly for foreign companies, we’re specialised for that. We are a part of international ECOVIS network and operate through more than 130 offices in Germany, as well as via 60 international partner companies with about 4,000 employees.
From 17th to 21st of June we are organizing a Rebec real estate fair at our Ušće premises. Next to that, this year we shall focus on public private partnership and energetics. We shall invite entrepreneurs to come, talk, hang out and share our experiences.
