InterAction

Djordje Lukovis
djlukovic@yahoo.com
Bulevar Mihaila Pupina 119/13
11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Tel: +381 11 2762 007
+381 63 7756 704
DoB April 1960
Place of birth New York US

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Business development and SME development, agriculture/agribusiness, infrastructure development, tourism, marketing, business finance, Grant Manager, mediator in Balkan political and economic matters, customs adviser, trade manager, Local Economic Development, Evaluation consultant for IPA projects financed by EU.

January 2009 until present , independant consultant for Project Evaluation in Cross Border Programe Serbia. Ministry of Finance Serbia, Hungarian Ministry of Finance

Development Manager in Livestock sector, USAID-DAI/IRD / Serbian Agribusiness Project. Belgrade (October 2007 to November2008)

Achievements
• Use/develop Ag. service providers
• Expand Use & Adoption of EU & international Standards
• Support Veterinarian Extension Services
• Credit facilitation and Subsidies for Beef Production Loans
• Promote Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Beef Sector
• Improve Market Information Systems Coverage of Sector
• Develop marketing strategy for approval by CEO and Board of Directors
• Analyse and evaluate regional market factors
• Understand the competitive landscape
• Identify new product ideas and product enhancements
• Develop and test new products and product enhancements
• Execute and evaluate market research
• Determine need for advertising and promotion support
• Develop advertising and promotional programs
• Coordinate outside agency support as needed

Senior Program Officer, International Relief and Development (USAID-IRD), Community Revitalization through Democratic Action (CRDA), Western Serbia (February 2005 to August 2007)

Achievements

• Presenting the IRD program to potential grantees and beneficiaries.
• Preparation of project and grant proposals
• Evaluation of businesses
• Supervision of a portfolio of on-going business, agriculture, and international certification projects
• Development assistance to new business associations and clusters to define training, technical assistance, and grant needs
• Promotion of dairy, fruit, vegetable and meat processing
• Agribusiness; marketing
• Infrastructure development
• QMS/ISO, HACCP certification
• Trade and export promotion
• Monitoring and reporting the business achievements of companies assisted
• Marketing and promotion help for export-oriented businesses

Marketing Manager, SMD Company (November, 2003--December, 2004)

• Supervising of portfolio
• Research and analysis of business and investment opportunities
• Introducing new companies to the market
• Advising clients regarding business growth and practices
• Co-ordinate execution of projects and business development.
• Measuring the results of business augmentation as a result of busi. develop.

Credit Manager, USAID, Business Finance Program (DAI, KPMG, Bearing Point) in the Brcko District, Bosnia and Herzegovina (August, 1998–October, 2003)

Five years as a business development manager working on behalf of the International Community, first for DAI, then KPMG and Bearing Point; project financed by USAID. My key responsibilities were: as Head of the Brcko office I was the liaison person covering the Republika Srpska government and ministries; I supervised a loan portfolio worth $14 Million; conducted research and analyzed business investment and loan opportunities; planned itineraries for USAID and Congressional delegations and senior visitors; monitored and reported on loan and business status; cooperated with foreign chambers of commerce; advised borrowers regarding business growth and practices; analyzed business development in the Brcko area and regionally; coordinated business consulting services to borrowers and bank counterparts; monitored and assessed the borrowers’ financial status over time; identified new opportunities; and evaluated the work of USAID agent banks.

Our business development team disbursed 700 loans worth $250 Million. Loans ranged from $50,000 to $1,000,000; we also initiated 3 micro-loan organizations for smaller loans. The loan process was divided into four phases: (1) business assessment, loan proposal, business plans; (2) Loan committee review; (3) Loan implementation; and (4) Loan monitoring and collections. I investigated and implemented mostly startups in agriculture and business production. I am, therefore, aware of all difficulties with regard to project development, implementation, and assistance to assure success.

• Initiated 26 new business operations and enlarged 16 existing businesses.

Economic Adviser in CIMIC, part of the International Stabilization Force [SFOR] in Bosnia and Herzegovina (August, 1997–August, 1998), based near Ugljevik, Republika Srpska. I was awarded for meritorious service.

• As a part of CIMIC I assisted civilian organizations from the military units spread throughout the country, and provided information and support to foreign investors. Key investors were USAID, Parsons, SRSA, the European Agency for Reconstruction, the Norwegian Refugee Council, and others. Investments were made in public utilities, roads, bridges, schools, municipal buildings and the electrical power network.

Interpreter for the European Community Monitoring Mission (ECCM) (July/August, 1997). I was involved in interpreting delicate political and economic matters in the disputed Brcko area and the wider Republika Srpska and Federation of BIH in the post-war period.

• Helped achieve post-war trust among political parties from different entities by being objective and impartial while interpreting and assisting with delicate political and economic matters.

Customs Adviser, European Commission for Customs and Fiscal Assistance Office to Bosnia and Herzegovina (January—June, 1997)

• Member of a team working to stop smuggling and enable the free flow of legal imports and exports between the entities of BIH.

Customs Adviser, International Conference on the former Yugoslavia (ICFY), 1995–1996

• Team member, helping to stop the smuggling of weapons and fuel from the Former Yugoslavia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Managing Director, Bimex Trade Company, Belgrade, FRY (1990—1995)

• Management, sales, and marketing in a large, successful private trading company.

Department Manager, RAD Publishing Company, Belgrade, FRY (1990)
• Staff and procurement manager.

LANGUAGES
English , Serbian excellent and Arabic (basic)
SKILLS
Sales and promotions
Written and oral communication skills
Good presentation style
Ability to analyse complex data

EDUCATION
Project Evaluator for EU
Workshop on Preparation of Market Profiles
Workshop on ITC’s Market Analysis Tools
Facilitator for education and training regarding standardization of services in village tourism (USAID certificate)
Certified trainer in Local Economic Development strategies and methodologies (MSI)
“Analyzing Financial Statements,” USAID certificate
Degree in Economics, Belgrade University
Completed education at 9th Belgrade Gymnasium High School
Completed New English Primary School in Kuwait

Personal Note: I am highly motivated to exceed business and organizational objectives while leading a successful team. Also ready to apply my domestic and international professional business experience and knowledge toward improved, political , business and investment climate in Eastern Europe and in the adjacent countries.

References Jesse Bunch COP IRD & ARD Jessebunch@gmail.com
+18023105337
Bill Emerson DCOP DAI lemerson@chemonics.com
Graham Dale, Ag. Specialist, grahamdal@gmail.com
Vlada Petrovic PO IRD +381 63 306 624
Slavenko Djokic OD IRD +381 63 303 443
Sandra Jelisijevic COP IRD +381 63 304 456
Radica Vucic SMD & Select Company +381 63 250 485