Successful Serbian brands

While Serbia is not the "tiger of the Balkans," as one minister of the current Government constantly predicts that it will become, the Serbian company "Tigar" has announced that it will turn all of its focus to the international market, stating that it does not want to turn its leading position on the Serbian market into a monopoly.

This company, which to be honest, can thank its cooperation with one of the largest international tire companies, Michelin, for its success, was named best Serbian corporative brand of 2005.

The award for best product of 2005, went to Vital, the leading producer of cooking oil in Serbia.

The best corporative brand in the services sector was Telekom Serbia, and other consumer awards were given out to drinks company Knjaz Milos for best Serbian company of the year, and to Bambi for health foods, naming its "Bambi" crackers Serbia's best product.

Choosing the best brands is actually an extension of the program of the Serbian Trade, Tourism and Services Ministry from 2004, called "Buy Domestic," and the president of the 12-member panel of judges was Minister Bojan Dimitrijevic.

"Among those who were awarded, there are products and services from Serbia, that I would not be ashamed to put on the international market." Dimitrijevic said.

The awards were decided by market performance, financial results and the votes of the consumer public.

Taking second place in the voting for best corporative brand of 2005 was the Nektar drinks company, while Simpo from Vranje took third. Porodje Vucje took away the award for most original product for its Viljamovka brandy.

The awards ceremony was organized by the Trade Ministry, in cooperation with daily Pregled and the McCann Erickson Marketing Agency.