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The SME-COMNET project has foundations on the SME-ART project with a main focus on the Supply Chain Management and improved logistics performance of Macedonian companies. Integrated part of the project is also the initiative for establishment of Innovation Relay Centre in Macedonia which would be a part of a large European network providing accesses to different types of technologies as well as opportunity to offer technology to potential European partners (companies, research institutes etc.).

In order to secure project success fact finding activity has been conducted during June-August 2006 and have included more than 30 Macedonian SMEs. Main objective of the fact finding was to determine the level of understanding of the projects’ main components as well as the level of usage of existing logistics support in Macedonia.

The SME-COMNET project consists of the following components:

    1. Competitiveness in value chains
        Increase SME competitiveness through strengthening inter-company linkages and intra-company improvements.
    2. Learning in company clusters
        Development of tools and methodology applicable for common company challenges in one industry sector or across different branches.
    3. Company improvement SME support (SME-ART)
        Company improvement projects aimed towards improvement of overall logistics performance of Macedonian companies.
    4. Trans-national technology transfer (IRC – Innovation Relay Centre)
        Support to the establishment of an IRC in Macedonia through trainings, project proposal writing and taking active role in the consortia for establishment such a centre.

Project results:

• Target areas for improvement defined objectively and based on the needs of Macedonian company (fact finding activity)
• Avoided redundancy of project activities and strengthening the efforts through networking (raising awareness) – meetings with similar initiatives in the field, public and private organisations as well as academia.
• Organised 2 practical seminars for SMEs presenting tools and methods for improving the logistics performance
• Support to the Logistics course development at the Department for Industrial Engineering and Management, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering; held lecture for the students by SINTEF experts and provided practical experience for students through their involvement in the company specific projects.
• Improvement projects implemented successfully in 4 selected Macedonian companies
• IRC Macedonia became a part of the European Information and Innovation Centre in Macedonia (EIICM) supported by the European Commission and Government of R. Macedonia.