FRUIT FORUM SOUTH- EAST EUROPE 2023A specialized business event for the fresh fruit and vegetable industry, FruitNet Forum South-East Europe, which was held at the&nbsp;Chamber of Commerce and Industry of&nbsp; Serbia, gathered more than 40 producers and exporters from Serbia and the Western Balkan region. These companies had the opportunity to meet 10 prestigious European buyers and distributors of fresh fruits and vegetables, such as Champion-Fruit Kft - Hungary, ICA - Sweden, Arctic - Poland/Norway, Eurogroup - Italy, Consorfrut - Poland, Greenyard - Belgium, and others.
Fruitnet Forum South East Europe 2023 was organized in partnership with the international media house Fruitnet Media International, with the support of the Project "Big Small Economy" financed by the American Agency for International Development (USAID).

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Belgrade - A New Center in Europe and Export Hub for Companies Matchmaking 

Serbian companies, led by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS), presented the views of the Serbian business community at the European Parliament of Enterprises 2025 in Brussels, which brought together more than 700 entrepreneurs from across Europe. The participation of the Serbian delegation provided an excellent opportunity for our companies to engage in dialogue with their European counterparts and EU institutions on key economic issues, as well as on Serbia’s perspectives within the EU Single Market.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/3EE36375-087A-4802-8968-DC2564211115.png" id="image-tag-1762346372702" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1872"></div>
“Every two years, Serbia and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia have the opportunity to lead a group of companies that, within the framework of Eurochambres, the largest European business association, take their seats as Members of the European Parliament of Enterprises and directly present their positions before the European Parliament and the European Commission,” said Mihailo Vesović, Deputy President of the CCIS.
“Serbian business representatives in Brussels discussed economic challenges, the EU accession process, and the implementation of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. What matters most to us is to be part of the European economic area, because Serbia cannot move forward without the European Union and strong economic cooperation,” Vesović emphasized.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/IMG-20251104-WA0002_960x540.jpg" id="image-tag-1762346383626" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1874"></div>
He pointed out the importance of urgently addressing challenges such as long border waiting times, mutual recognition of certificates, and steel import quotas, all of which impact competitiveness. “We also raised the issue of the CBAM mechanism and other topics affecting our economy,” added the CCIS representative.
“Eurochambres will continue to advocate for the interests of businesses before European decision-makers. Without concrete reforms and the courage to simplify regulations and accelerate decision-making, we cannot progress,” stated Vladimir Dlouhý, President of Eurochambres. According to him, deregulation is a prerequisite for unleashing entrepreneurial energy, and Europe must listen more closely to the voice of its companies&mdash;the driving force of every change.
Adrijana Račanović from Comtrade emphasized that participation in the European Parliament of Enterprises was an exceptional opportunity to exchange views and experiences with European colleagues and to discuss the integration of the Serbian economy into the EU Single Market, its challenges, and prospects.
The European Parliament of Enterprises, organized by Eurochambres every two years, provides the European business community with a platform to express its positions and perspectives directly within EU institutions.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/IMG-20251104-WA0001_960x540.jpg" id="image-tag-1762346394031" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1873"></div>

Serbian Companies in the European Parliament of Enterprises

A Serbian delegation, composed of representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) and Serbian IT companies, visited the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce and met with its management to discuss strengthening economic ties and enhancing cooperation with U.S. partners.
The event took place on November 3, 2025, in Anaheim, alongside the Embedded World North America trade fair, organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.
During the meeting, Serbian companies Digital Logik, Nanowaf, Com Data, Veriest, DevPool, and Mikroelektronika presented their technological solutions, products, and innovative projects that position Serbia’s IT sector as one of the most dynamic in Southeast Europe. Special emphasis was placed on the expertise and high technical competence of Serbian professionals, which makes Serbia an attractive partner for development and investment in advanced technologies.
Representatives of the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce emphasized that Serbia is becoming a recognized destination for collaboration in the field of information technology, thanks to its innovation, skilled workforce, and favorable business conditions. On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Jelena Jovanović, Advisor to the President and Secretary of the Association for Electronic Communications and the Information Society, presented Serbia’s economic potential, highlighting the competitive business environment, rapid growth of the IT industry, and numerous investment opportunities.
From the U.S. side, hosts included Dave Coffaro, President of the Greater Irvine Chamber, James Mai, Deputy Mayor of Irvine, and Melinda Liu, City Council Member, as well as Dustin McDonald from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz California), who presented available support programs, investment funds, and grants for international partners.
As part of the program, B2B meetings were held with U.S. companies from the IT, digital services, and startup sectors, where participants explored opportunities for joint projects, experience exchange, and entry into the U.S. market.
Among the U.S. participants were: Karin Koch (Economic Development Director), Bill Edwards (District Export Council), Helene Blanchette (Director, Schmid Center for International Business, Chapman University), Mike Merchant (CEO, Codazen), Juliana Elstad (CEO, NuVibe Medical), Tyler Train (Patent Attorney, Fish & Richardson), Dan Vozenilek (AT&T), Carlos Oregon (CEO, ThinkBox Technology Group), and Jas Kaur (Singh Automation / KTime HR).
The delegation also visited the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine – Beall Center), where they were welcomed by Carolyn Stephens, Managing Director of Enterprise Collaborations. Discussions focused on potential cooperation in education, research, and innovation, with an emphasis on linking academia and business to strengthen the innovation ecosystem and develop new technological solutions.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia expressed its gratitude to the U.S. Commercial Service, the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, and the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce for their support and cooperation in organizing the visit, which further strengthened business relations between Serbia and the United States.
This visit is part of a broader initiative to deepen economic relations between Serbia and the United States, with a special focus on the digital economy, innovation, and technological development.
The event also served as an introduction to the participation of Serbian IT companies at the national pavilion of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia at the Embedded World North America 2025 fair, held at the Anaheim Convention Center from November 4 to 6, 2025.

Serbian Business Delegation Visits Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce in California

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) and the Development Agency of Serbia (RAS) are organizing the participation of Serbian IT companies within the national stand of Serbia at the international fair Embedded World North America 2025, held in Anaheim, California, USA, from November 4 to 6, CCIS announced.
"Embedded World" serves as a global platform and a central meeting point for the embedded technology community, attracting top experts, key stakeholders, and industry associations from around the world.
This year, the fair is being held in Anaheim, Southern California, in the heart of one of the largest technological and industrial regions in the United States.
The fair and conference are organized with a clearly defined thematic focus on areas such as embedded systems technologies, distributed intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Building on last year’s success, Embedded World North America represents an ideal opportunity for finding in-demand products, offering further possibilities for product enhancement and technological advancement.
During its three-day duration last year, the fair gathered around 3,500 visitors who came to learn about the latest trends and witness cutting-edge innovations in embedded technologies, presented by 180 exhibitors.

<a href="https://en.pks.rs/news/serbian-it-companies-at-the-embedded-electronics-fair-in-california-november-4-6">CLICK HERE FOR LIST OF EXIBITORS</a>

Serbian IT Companies at the Embedded Electronics Fair in California, November 4–6

Companies from Serbia will showcase their products and services at the National Stand of Serbia during the Tirana International Fair 2025, held in Albania's capital from November 5 to 8, 2025, and organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) and the Development Agency of Serbia (RAS).
This year, 13 Serbian companies from various sectors &mdash; industry, food production, agriculture, construction, and services &mdash; will take part in the event.
Exhibiting their products, services, and export potential at the 150-square-meter national stand will be: Tehnogama d.o.o. Šimanovci, Special Hospital Merkur, BEAM EUROPE d.o.o., PIP Novi Sad d.o.o., JOMPAKES d.o.o., KOLIOD d.o.o., Akvapan Engineering d.o.o., H&S Fruits d.o.o. (Proleter), PRO-TERMO d.o.o., Distillery Zekić d.o.o., Tehnomarket d.o.o., Perdomo d.o.o. and INM d.o.o.
The participation of Serbian companies aims to strengthen business ties and identify new partners in the Albanian market, which is becoming increasingly attractive for Serbian businesses. In 2024, over 1,250 Serbian companies traded with Albanian partners &mdash; nearly twice as many as five years ago.
The Open Balkan regional initiative has also contributed to improving economic cooperation between the two countries, facilitating trade flows, and reducing administrative barriers.
International Importance of the Fair
The Tirana International Fair is a major business event in the region, bringing together exhibitors from more than 30 countries worldwide this year. Serbia has been a traditional participant for over two decades, significantly contributing to the growth of bilateral trade, which has increased more than three and a half times over the past decade.
Cooperation Prospects
Key sectors for further cooperation between Serbia and Albania include agriculture, the food industry, the metal and construction industries, and plastics and furniture manufacturing.
The participation of Serbian companies in Tirana represents an important step in strengthening bilateral economic relations, connecting regional business communities, and opening new opportunities for Serbian exporters.

<h4><a href="https://fairs.pks.rs/tirana-international-fair-2025/">Click for more info on&nbsp;SERBIAN EXIBITORS</a></h4>

Serbian Companies at the Tirana International Fair, November 5–8 November 4, 2025

Serbia and Uzbekistan enjoy strong political and institutional support aimed at further strengthening economic relations, connecting their business communities, and enabling joint activities on third markets. Uzbekistan’s participation in the international exhibition EXPO 2027 in Belgrade will further contribute to promoting the country’s economy and strengthening its ties with Serbia and the region, participants concluded at the Serbia–Uzbekistan Business Forum, held in Tashkent as part of the official visit of President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić to the Republic of Uzbekistan.The forum brought together more than 80 Uzbek companies and 12 Serbian companies from the construction, agriculture, IT, metal, and defense industries, with the aim of fostering deeper bilateral cooperation and exploring new investment opportunities. President Vučić invited Uzbek companies to invest in Serbia, emphasizing that the country provides a stable economic environment, a predictable tax system, and numerous investment incentives.
“Serbia has created a stable and stimulating business environment, and companies from Uzbekistan can always count on our support. I believe we can build strong mutual trust and jointly enter third markets,” said President Vučić.
He emphasized that Serbia sees great potential for cooperation with Uzbekistan in the fields of information and communication technologies, education and science, healthcare, biotechnology, the pharmaceutical industry, the textile sector, and agriculture.
The Serbian business delegation was led by Mihailo Vesović, Deputy President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS), and Ivan Bošnjak, Vice President of the CCIS and General Director of Millennium Team.
Presenting Serbia’s business and investment potential to Uzbek entrepreneurs, Vesović underlined that the business forum confirms the continuous strengthening of economic relations between the two countries and provides an excellent opportunity for Serbian companies to showcase their products and services in the Central Asian market.
“According to the data of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, trade exchange between Serbia and Uzbekistan in the second quarter of 2025 amounted to 29 million USD. Although this figure does not yet reflect our full potential, it represents an almost threefold increase compared to the same period last year. This trend demonstrates growing interest and indicates room for further cooperation,” Vesović stated.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/Uzbekistan Poslovni forum Srb (7)_960x810.jfif" id="image-tag-1761814381283" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1864"></div>
During the forum, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and the Chamber of Commerce of Uzbekistan, defining the framework for enhancing bilateral economic cooperation, information exchange, and support for businesses from both countries.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/PHOTO-2025-10-29-13-40-05_960x720.jpg" id="image-tag-1761814335813" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1868"></div>
Jamshid Khodjaev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, emphasized that the business forum serves as an important platform for fostering trade, economic, and investment relations between the two countries. “Today we have gathered more than a hundred entrepreneurs and institutional representatives, confirming strong trust and long-term commitment to cooperation between Serbia and Uzbekistan,” Khodjaev underlined.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/Uzbekistan Poslovni forum Srb (10)_634x640.jfif" id="image-tag-1761814399700" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1865"></div>
During the visit, Serbian companies toured the Tashkent Technopark, where they learned about Uzbekistan’s leading industries in the automotive, pharmaceutical, chemical, textile, defense, construction, and mining sectors.
The Business Forum in Tashkent represents another step toward deepening economic relations between Serbia and Uzbekistan and is an important platform for developing joint projects across various sectors of the economy.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/Uzbekistan Poslovni forum Srb (17)_634x312.jfif" id="image-tag-1761814290726" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1866"></div>

Serbian and Uzbek Business Communities Open a New Era of Cooperation – Political Support at the Highest Level

Serbian and Azerbaijani companies have the strong support of both governments in enhancing economic cooperation, developing investments, and strengthening trade relations, it was stated at the Serbia–Azerbaijan Business Forum held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia. The forum gathered more than 70 companies from both countries and represents an important step forward in a strategic partnership that has lasted for over a decade.
Deputy President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Mihailo Vesović, emphasized that Serbia and Azerbaijan are connected by genuine friendship and a shared commitment to economic progress.
“Our goal is to increase the value of exports and imports through a greater number of joint projects. Azerbaijani companies are well recognized in Serbia for their contribution to infrastructure development, and energy stability remains one of our key priorities. I believe this will be just the first step toward deeper economic integration between our countries, with new investments in tourism and agriculture,” Vesović stated.
Nikola Selaković, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, underlined that Serbia and Azerbaijan are friendly nations with no open issues and that they are united by mutual support on the international stage.
“Our peoples are strategic partners, and it is particularly important to advance direct business cooperation between companies. The introduction of a direct flight between Baku and Belgrade will be of crucial importance for the further development of economic and industrial relations. Serbia and Azerbaijan will do their utmost to make this idea a reality,” Selaković said.
Sahil Babayev, Minister of Finance of Azerbaijan, reminded that the two countries have nurtured a strategic partnership based on mutual respect and support for the past 12 years.
“There are no open issues between Serbia and Azerbaijan. We have signed 57 bilateral agreements and maintain active trade and investment relations. Several Azerbaijani companies operate successfully in Serbia, while nine Serbian enterprises are active in Azerbaijan. However, the cooperation potential is much greater, and our goal is to make full use of it,” Babayev noted.
Yusif Abdullayev, Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO), pointed out that AZPROMO is a reliable partner for Serbian companies.
“Azerbaijan possesses a well-developed infrastructure, numerous industrial parks, and attractive investment conditions. In addition, we offer tax incentives for long-term operations and are working to strengthen our export capacity. This forum is proof of our shared commitment to developing economic relations,” Abdullayev stated.
Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Board of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of Azerbaijan, said that the agency is open to Serbian entrepreneurs interested in exploring the Azerbaijani market.
“We provide information, contacts, and support for business digitalization. Our goal is to help companies gain easier access to investment incentives and tax benefits,” said Mammadov.
The fact that cooperation already yields tangible results was confirmed by Mile Bojanić, General Director of PERI Oplate d.o.o., who recalled the long-standing partnership with the Azerbaijani company Azvirt in the construction sector.
“We began our cooperation more than ten years ago and have jointly implemented numerous projects in Serbia. From our Azerbaijani partners, we learned fairness and professionalism, which are the foundations of our friendship and success,” Bojanić said.
The Serbia–Azerbaijan Business Forum was held within the framework of the ninth session of the Intergovernmental Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation between the two countries. On this occasion, documents were signed regarding a development plan between the Development Agency of Serbia and the Azerbaijani Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA), as well as a Protocol on the Joint Session.
The forum was organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, AZPROMO, and the Ministry of Finance of Azerbaijan.
Photo: Tanjug / Ana Paunković

New Investments and Direct Flight Belgrade–Baku to Strengthen Economic Ties Between Serbia and Azerbaijan

At the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, in cooperation with the Honorary Consulate of Ecuador in Serbia, bilateral meetings were held between domestic producers of raspberry powder and representatives of the Ecuadorian company Paccari, one of the world’s best-known producers of organic chocolate.
Paccari was represented at the meeting by its founder and CEO, Santiago Peralta, as well as Minja Milojević from Blumen Market, the official importer and distributor of the Paccari brand for Serbia. The purpose of the meeting was to explore opportunities for the company to source raw materials for its raspberry-flavored chocolate from Serbian suppliers. Paccari is one of Ecuador’s most prominent companies, present in more than 40 countries worldwide. Its handcrafted, fully organic chocolates have received over 400 international awards.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/IMG-20251022-WA0021_960x0.jpg" id="image-tag-1761216400062" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="large-image-960xauto" data-asset-id="1859"></div>
On the occasion of organizing the bilateral meetings, Marko Fernandez Nikolić from the Center for North, Central, and South America and Australia of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia stated:
“Today’s event completes the initiative we announced at the conference ‘Serbia – Latin America: Business Opportunities’, held in 2023 at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, that we will work even more actively to promote the Latin American market among domestic businesses. In that spirit, in May this year we organized a presentation of Ecuadorian products to Serbian companies, while today we presented domestic products to entrepreneurs from Ecuador.”
Despite the geographical distance and limited information on business opportunities, trade between Serbia and Latin American countries has been steadily growing over the past five years. With Ecuador alone, the trade volume increased from 28.7 million USD in 2019 to 63.1 million USD in 2024.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia has recognized the potential for further strengthening cooperation with Latin American countries and will continue in the coming period to promote mutual business ties through various initiatives and activities.

Bilateral Meetings of Serbian Raspberry Producers with Ecuadorian Company Paccari

“We no longer have time &mdash; the moment has come to decide whether our economies will survive or disappear. This is a crucial time to create a single economic area of the Western Balkans quickly,” said Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, ahead of the official opening of the 100 EXPO International Trade Fair and Conference in Sarajevo.
He emphasized that we live in an era of geopolitical turbulence, technological revolution, and shifting supply chains. “We are also facing CBAM taxes, the uncertainty of EU customs tariffs toward third countries, and some challenges that make us less competitive than the very companies operating within the European Union,” Čadež said, stressing that the only way to overcome these challenges is to send a clear message to both politicians and policymakers across the region.
“We must speak with one voice, regardless of whether we are Serbs, Bosniaks, Croats, or Albanians, because these differences will not help us overcome the difficult period ahead if we don’t sit together and create common policies,” he added.
The solution, he said, lies in establishing a ministerial-level council, a council of regional heads of state, and a unified voice of the Western Balkans region, in order to become part of the EU Single Market as soon as possible &mdash; even before achieving full membership.
“It is up to us to quickly create a single economic area of the Western Balkans and to begin serious talks with the European Union as soon as possible, because I believe there is no other way for us to survive,” Čadež emphasized.
He added that it is time to think less about ourselves individually and more about how to generate growth in our region, how to create jobs in our region, and how to live normal lives.
“All the companies participating in this fair will say the same thing &mdash; we are all facing the same problems,” noted Čadež.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/PHOTO-2025-10-21-11-13-02_960x7201.jpg" id="image-tag-1761215353024" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1858"></div>
Ahmet Egrlić, President of the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina, stated: “It is highly significant that in this first year of organizing the fair &mdash; which should become a place for connection and business meetings in the future &mdash; we have Serbia as the partner country, with which we have the largest trade exchange, and that exchange continues to grow every year.”
The 100 EXPO – International Trade Fair and Conference is organized as part of the project “100 Largest Companies in BiH and the Region”, bringing together the most successful companies, entrepreneurs, and investors from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider region.
Serbia, this year’s partner country at the 100 EXPO International Fair, is represented by the following companies: IGM Mladost d.o.o. (Leskovac), PIMI d.o.o. (Belgrade), Smurfit Westrock Avala Ada d.o.o. (Belgrade), INFOFIN d.o.o. – Royal Hotels (Loznica), ERA PACKAGING d.o.o. (Šljivovica), EKO-BOX Kontejneri, CINEFILM (Belgrade), MODEL 5 (Belgrade), LIGNODOM d.o.o. (Belgrade), GASPAROVSKI d.o.o. (Bač), LOGERA d.o.o. (Belgrade), DESIGN ARCHITECTURE NETWORK d.o.o. (Novi Sad), as well as the Center for Digital Transformation and the Business Academy of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Čadež: A Unified Regional Approach Is Key to the Survival of Our Economies

The annual seminar of partners from Eurasia and the Balkans, traditionally organized by the Holon Institute of Technology (HIT) in Israel, was held for the fourth time this year, focusing on artificial intelligence and the strengthening of international scientific cooperation.
The seminar was opened by the President of HIT, Prof. Eduard Yakubov, while Serbia was represented by Aleksandar Nikolić, Director of the Representative Office of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia in Jerusalem and Honorary Consul of Serbia in Israel. In his address, Nikolić announced that Belgrade will host the first GITEX AI Serbia fair in Southeast Europe in 2027, as part of the EXPO 2027 World Exhibition, which will further position Serbia as a technological hub of the region.
Nikolić emphasized the importance of cooperation between Serbian science and technology parks and leading Israeli accelerators, as well as the Israel Innovation Authority, noting that a new chapter is opening in the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Serbia was represented at this prestigious gathering by Prof. Vuk Vujović from MB University in Belgrade and Aleksandar Mastilović from the Digital Transformation Center of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia. Their presentations, dedicated to contemporary aspects of artificial intelligence, attracted great interest and opened opportunities for further cooperation between Serbian and Israeli research centers.
Prof. Vujović delivered a lecture titled “Algorithmic Parrot: Memory, Generalization, and Illusory Reasoning of Large Language Models”, while Dr. Mastilović presented “How Artificial Intelligence is Reshaping Digital Transformation?”
A significant step toward institutionalizing cooperation was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Novi Sad and HIT, which will further accelerate the integration of the two countries’ innovation ecosystems.

Serbia at the Seminar of Partners from Eurasia and the Balkans Hosted by the Holon Institute of Technology

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, together with the North Adriatic ports of Rijeka, Koper, and Trieste, has launched an initiative toward the relevant governments and EU institutions to accelerate the modernization of railway infrastructure and remove all administrative barriers hindering efficient transport between Serbia and the Adriatic ports.
President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Marko Čadež, met yesterday with the chairmen of the boards of the ports of Rijeka and Koper, Duško Grabovac and Nevenko Križan. Together, they emphasized that the time has come for concrete action, as every further delay in the transport of goods to these ports costs the region lost investments and slowed development.
“The ports of Rijeka, Koper, and Trieste represent a strategic route for the economies of Serbia and the region. This is the shortest and most advanced logistics corridor connecting the Western Balkans with global markets,” said Čadež.
Due to insufficient investment, outdated railway infrastructure, and the lack of veterinary and phytosanitary inspection controls at border crossings, transport between Serbia and the North Adriatic ports is carried out mainly by road. This leads to major congestion and long waiting times at border crossings, especially at Batrovci, where trucks wait on average more than 10 hours, and in some cases up to 36 hours.
“The revised TEN-T network and the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, worth six billion euros by 2027, give us the opportunity for both political and financial support for railway modernization. This is a chance for the region to present a united front to the EU and show that connectivity is the key to shared progress,” Čadež stressed.
Connecting Serbian industry with the North Adriatic ports is of crucial importance for access to global markets and for further development of industry, exports, and logistics. The initiative of the CCIS and its partners has a clear goal – for Serbia to become an integral part of a modern, green, and efficient European railway system.

​Čadež with Directors of Rijeka and Koper Ports: Joint EU Initiative for a New Railway to the Adriatic

Startup companies from Serbia that participated in the world’s largest event dedicated to startups and investors, Expand North Star, in Dubai, presented outstanding ideas and solutions across various sectors, attracting the attention of major global players in the digital industry, establishing contacts with prominent investors, and securing new business deals.
During the three-day conference, startups held over 800 meetings and discussions with potential partners, including Hazleen Ahmad, a global investor and leader in building inclusive ecosystems, as well as the UK-based BGV (Bethnal Green Ventures). Agreements were also signed with companies from India and South Korea.
Expand North Star is organized as part of the world’s largest technology fair, Gitex Global, and over 20 Serbian startups presented a wide range of innovative products from October 12 to 15 in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, healthtech, edtech, cybersecurity, mobile apps, e-commerce, climate tech, agritech, gaming, blockchain, and Web3.
“Our startup Reputeo won an award in the field of cybersecurity, Baby FM was among the top 100, and reached the semifinals of the Supernova Challenge with its real-time temperature measurement solution. Everyone who participated in North Star came with fantastic ideas and solutions, successfully presented themselves, and attracted significant attention,” said Nebojša Bjelotomić, Advisor to the President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce for Innovations and IT.

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“Here in Dubai, there are companies, businessmen, and investors from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and other parts of the world. This is a great opportunity for our IT sector to enter new markets, establish business contacts, find local representatives, present to investors, or even reach end users,” added Bjelotomić.
Representatives of startup companies were also pleased with the promotion, contacts made, and results achieved.

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Prof. Dr. Miloš Stanković from EWD Technology recalled that 12 years ago, they had the idea to develop a device that, using specific frequencies and electricity&mdash;without chemicals&mdash;destroys weeds at the root so that they no longer grow.
“Our main focus was ambrosia, although we tested over 200 types of weeds with the Swedish University of Agriculture as well as with local institutions. We wanted to solve a major social problem: ambrosia pollen, as more than two million people in our country suffer from it,” he said.
He emphasized that there was significant interest at North Star in Dubai for their invention, especially from Asian countries such as China and India, for introducing the product to their agricultural markets.
This was their first time at the Gitex fair in Dubai, and they have already signed several agreements with partners from India and South Korea for potential product distribution.
Neda Trifunović from the startup Reputeo explained that their platform is a type of search engine, like Google or GPT, focused on collecting data from open sources in the Web2 space.

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“We gather news and information from social networks, media, forums, and portals, and apply AI sentiment analysis to this data. The idea is to provide real-time insights and inform users whether the data is positive, negative, or neutral, and how it might affect their business or products. How did we come up with the idea? Essentially, through direct conversations with users in the market and validating initial pilot products,” she said.
AISA AI, the world’s first AI SOC analyst, was developed by Reputeo and was recognized as one of the winners of the prestigious CyberE71 Challenge.
Expand North Star is an event that brings together the most advanced tech startups, leading global VC funds, investors, accelerators, and representatives of major technology companies.
This year’s edition concluded on October 15, gathering over 2,000 startups from around the world, representing more than 100 countries, nearly 1,000 investors, numerous exhibitors, and speakers from all over the world.
Serbian startups showcased at this year’s event included: NJUPPA, LenaAI, Baby FM, NegotiateWind, MyFlow, TRAKEN, Codekido, PuRe AI, Kampster AI, Reputeo, Sferikon, Smartsy, Ysource Solution, SEE UP, Athena AI Search, Silver Bell Group, CarSync, SpiceAds, EWD Technology, OROOK, and AgrO3.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/Тамара Папић, Baby FM.jpg" id="image-tag-1760607112768" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1854"></div>

Serbian Startups Showcase Excellent Ideas and Solutions to the World

The world’s largest technology fair, “Gitex Global”, has chosen Belgrade as the host of its first-ever event in Southeast Europe. The prestigious exhibition, titled “Gitex AI Serbia”, will take place in 2027 as part of the specialized “Expo 2027” exhibition, and GITEX events will continue to be held in Serbia in the years following the EXPO.
This decision was announced today at the opening of the 45th edition of Gitex Global in Dubai, reaffirming Serbia’s position as a growing hub for innovation and new technologies in this part of Europe. Serbia is also the partner country at this year’s Gitex Global, which brings together over 1,000 exhibitors and 200,000 visitors.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/Gitex 1.jpg" id="image-tag-1760441973701" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1846"></div>
The organization of “Gitex AI Serbia” represents a historic milestone for Serbia and the Southeast European region, opening doors to international partnerships and showcasing Serbia’s and the region’s technological potential on the global stage. Belgrade is expected to become a key meeting point for world leaders in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and startup innovation.
“The launch of GITEX Serbia 2027 marks a new chapter in our global journey of expanding the GITEX experience to new innovation hubs. Serbia stands out as a dynamic bridge between East and West, and we are thrilled to bring the world’s largest showcase of technology and startups to Belgrade,” said Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of Gitex Global, following the decision to establish “Gitex AI Serbia.”<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/Gitex 2.jpg" id="image-tag-1760442004349" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1847"></div>
“There are difficult paths. From the moment you see them, it’s clear how demanding and challenging every step will be. However, the reward at the end of that path is exciting, valuable, and vital. Over the past decade, Serbia has reformed its education system to meet the demands of the technological revolution. We introduced programming from the fifth grade of elementary school, tripled the number of IT professionals, and grew our IT service exports to as much as 5 billion dollars annually! Our startup ecosystem has grown by 25 percent in the last five years,” said Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, which played a crucial role in securing the organization of this event.
According to Čadež, what Serbia needs now is a platform to loudly showcase what it can do and what it strives for.
“We saw the perfect partner, but it was necessary for that partner to see us, too. The last two years of work have brought us to this moment, and today we are excited to be welcomed into the special Gitex family. None of this would have been possible without people &mdash; exceptional people &mdash; Trixie and her team,” added the CCIS President. He thanked Gitex and its leadership for recognizing Serbia and allowing it to present itself to the world. “We are determined to make the most of this opportunity, and I invite everyone to Belgrade in 2027. Every hard road is easier when you have the right people beside you &mdash; and we are lucky to have Trixie on our side,” concluded Čadež.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/Gitex 3.jpg" id="image-tag-1760442022997" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1848"></div>
Mihailo Jovanović, Director of the Office for IT and eGovernment, said that today is a big day for Serbia, as the world’s largest technology fair, Gitex Global, is coming to Serbia, and Belgrade will host Gitex AI Serbia 2027 during Expo 2027. He emphasized that this will be of great importance for the Serbian economy, as the world’s leading investors will come to the country.
“Believe it or not, Gitex is coming to Serbia in 2027! Congratulations to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, to Marko Čadež, and his entire team who have worked tirelessly to bring Gitex to Belgrade. This will mean a lot for the Republic of Serbia &mdash; for our economy, for the further development of the ICT sector, and for strengthening our innovation ecosystem,” Jovanović said at the National Pavilion of Serbia at Gitex Global, which is being held from October 13 to 17.
He added that Serbia will strive to make its ICT sector the fastest-growing sector, noting that last year the domestic ICT industry achieved more than four billion euros in exports.
“Gitex Global”, held in Dubai for 45 years, is one of the largest and most influential technology events in the world, known as a key platform for connecting global tech companies, investors, and startups. “Expo 2027”, the first specialized world exhibition ever held in Southeast Europe, will take place in Belgrade from May 15 to August 15, 2027. More than four million visitors are expected to attend. “Expo 2027” is the most ambitious project in Serbia’s modern history, offering a unique opportunity for the international promotion of the country and the region.
Photo: Tanjug / Rade Prelić Video: Tanjug