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 

The President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Marko Čadež, together with his associates, met with Anaïs Jan, Director of Membership Development for Europe at the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), to discuss the further development of World Trade Center Belgrade (WTC Belgrade), with the aim of positioning this business platform as a regional hub for international trade, leading global trade fairs, investments, and the networking of companies from Serbia, the region, and around the world.
The focus of the talks was on plans to intensify WTC Belgrade’s activities through the organization of major international events and trade fairs, including Expo 2027 Belgrade, the arrival of the world’s largest technology exhibition, GITEX GLOBAL Dubai, to Serbia, as well as cooperation with other leading technology and business platforms. Special emphasis was placed on digitalization, the development of the IT sector, and the creation of new opportunities for networking among companies, investors, and partners.
Presenting the development plans, Čadež recalled that Serbia is becoming a host to major international trade fairs such as GITEX AI Serbia, and that activities are underway to attract other leading global events.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC08381-21.jpg" id="image-tag-1769158533538" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2008"></div>
“The arrival of trade fairs such as GITEX AI Serbia confirms that Serbia is increasingly positioning itself on the map of global business and technology centers. Our goal is also to, through WTC Belgrade, integrate Serbia and the region into these global flows, act as organizers of major business events, and create a regional hub that connects companies, investors, and innovators from around the world,” said Čadež.
WTCA brings together over 300 centers in more than 100 countries and territories worldwide, making it one of the largest global business networks. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia holds the license for WTC Belgrade and is one of only 25 chambers of commerce worldwide that are members of this prestigious association.
WTC Belgrade is being positioned as a platform for the internationalization, promotion, and business networking of the Serbian economy with the world. It will provide domestic companies with direct access to the global business network, participation in international trade fairs, forums, and trade missions, integration into global supply chains, as well as connections with partners, distributors, and investors worldwide.

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Photo: Boban Ristić, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia

WTC Belgrade on the Path to Becoming a Regional Hub for International Business

Nine companies ranked among Serbia’s leading domestic IT and technology firms, along with the Mihajlo Pupin Institute, presented their work today to representatives of the Dubai Chambers at the round table “Tech & Innovation Exchange,” organized in Belgrade by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS).
The President of the CCIS, Marko Čadež, stated that Serbian IT companies are recognized as high-quality partners in the field of software and digital solutions, including in Dubai, which is why the delegation of the Dubai Chambers came to Belgrade with the aim of expanding cooperation.
“Many of our companies already have representative offices in Dubai and operate not only on the market of the United Arab Emirates, but also on other global markets. Precisely for this reason, we wanted to focus on deepening the partnership with the Dubai Chambers,” Čadež emphasized.
He noted that the goal of today’s meeting was to present concrete solutions that Serbian IT companies can offer for joint projects already being developed in Dubai, primarily in the areas of logistics, air transport, and infrastructure.
Čadež stressed that the mission of the CCIS is to support innovative companies from Serbia, as well as companies from the UAE, in opening their development and research centers in Serbia for the European market, bearing in mind the availability of a highly qualified workforce and a favorable regulatory environment.
He recalled that Serbia has strong infrastructure for the development of new technologies, such as the State Data Center in Kragujevac and two supercomputers, and that it is the only country in Europe, apart from Turkey, that has a Free Trade Agreement with the United Arab Emirates.
He added that the CCIS and Dubai are already successfully cooperating through the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), one of the largest international trade organizations, bringing together around 100 countries and connecting more than 300 world trade centers, of which the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia is also a member.
“This is a strategic partnership related to the development of major trade fair events in Belgrade. We have already brought GITEX Global, the world’s largest technology fair, from Dubai, which will be held in Belgrade for the first time in 2027 as part of the EXPO exhibition, and subsequently over the next ten years,” Čadež said.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DUbai 5_960x540.jpg" id="image-tag-1769007276054" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2003"></div>
He added that cooperation is also expanding to include the largest food industry fair held in Dubai, which could, in the future, also have its European edition in Belgrade.
“Fairs in the fields of tourism, medicine, and real estate are also in preparation,” said the President of the CCIS. Čadež specified that around 150 companies with UAE capital currently operate in Serbia, while approximately 300 companies with Serbian capital operate in the United Arab Emirates.
The President of the Dubai Chambers, Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, stated that there is significant room for enhancing cooperation in the field of IT and innovation.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/Дубаи5_960x540.jpg" id="image-tag-1769007319637" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2001"></div>He emphasized that the UAE is actively working to diversify its economy and that the digital economy is increasingly catching up with the oil industry, which currently accounts for approximately 20 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.
“Artificial intelligence has recently become a priority for our country. We see it as a tool that various sectors can use to improve operations&mdash;from supply chains and logistics to healthcare. This is how we strengthen and safeguard our economy,” Al Mansoori said.
He stressed that the Dubai market is fully open to innovation and the digitalization of new projects, citing as examples the improvement of public sector services as well as the development of major infrastructure projects, including the construction of the world’s largest airport. “Dubai is a global logistics hub, and we are particularly interested in innovations in the supply chain,” he emphasized. Al Mansoori added that the Dubai Chambers can assist Serbian IT companies in connecting with potential partners and becoming involved in concrete projects in Dubai. Leading domestic and internationally oriented IT and technology companies presented themselves to the Dubai business delegation, covering a wide range of areas&mdash;from software development and digital transformation, through artificial intelligence and data analytics, to cybersecurity and communication systems. The event was organized during the two-day visit of the Dubai Chambers delegation to Serbia, as part of the “Growth Corridors” trade mission.&nbsp;
(Source: Beta)

​  Serbian IT Companies Present Their Capabilities to the Dubai Chamber of Commerce

Support from the European Union and Germany, strengthening the partnership with Europe’s strongest economy and its swift recovery, is crucial for Serbia’s path toward EU accession&mdash;a process that has stagnated for years despite Serbia’s impressive economic results and the fact that integration of the Western Balkans into the EU will not be possible without Serbia.
This was one of the key conclusions of a roundtable organized last week in Berlin by the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI). Through dialogue between German and Serbian experts and an open, direct discussion with German media, the event aimed to draw attention to the historic transformation Serbia is undergoing, the structural pressures shaping Serbian policy, the role the EU and Germany must play in the accession process, and the consequences should such support be lacking.
“Urgently integrating Serbia and the region into the EU single market&mdash;even before full EU membership&mdash;is important not only for Serbia and the region, but also for European and German companies operating here,” said Marko Čadež, President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
As he explained, Serbia conducts around 60 percent of its total trade with the EU, exports 16 percent of its total global exports to the German market and nearly a quarter of its exports to the EU. German companies, which have invested billions of euros in the Serbian economy, along with local firms, are equally bearing the costs of problems arising from delays in integrating Serbia and the region into the EU.
“Full access to the single market even before EU accession is, in fact, a solution proposed by the Western Balkans business community&mdash;one that no government in the region would reject,” said the SCCI President when responding to journalists’ questions about “light membership.”
Viewing Serbia’s reality and European integration from a political perspective, Peter Beyer, CDU member of the Bundestag and Chair of the Subcommittee on Crisis Prevention, Strategic Foresight, Stabilization and Peacebuilding within the Foreign Affairs Committee, sees Serbia as a “key country in the Western Balkans” and warns of the danger of Europe turning its back on it.
“If we abandon Serbia, we will see the strengthening of foreign powers that do not share our values right in the heart of Europe,” Beyer believes, noting that the “appetite for EU enlargement has diminished” and that the Berlin Process launched by Angela Merkel&mdash;aimed at bringing the region closer to the EU&mdash;was practically dormant for several years.
Limited membership, according to Beyer, should only be a transitional step: “In the end, there must be full membership, with all rights and obligations. Otherwise, the EU’s credibility would be undermined.”
Unlike current European policy, which, despite promises, has postponed the accession of Serbia and the region for two decades, shifting the focus from achieved economic progress to the political arena, representatives of German business have no such doubts. They reminded German journalists that Serbia is not only the largest, but also the strongest and most advanced economy in the Western Balkans&mdash;the only one with an investment-grade rating&mdash;whose investment performance and economic strength equal that of the rest of the region combined.
Serbia is an important manufacturing location and supplier for the German automotive industry, sharing with it the challenges this sector faces in Germany. German companies have invested nearly four billion euros in Serbia, employ more than 80,000 people, and&mdash;most importantly&mdash;88 percent of all German investors would invest again in the Serbian economy, pointed out Dr. Volker Treier, Member of the Executive Board and Head of Foreign Trade at the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK).
Filip Simović, President of the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (AHK) and Managing Director of M&M Militzer & Münch in Serbia, confirmed Serbia’s importance as an investment destination for German business for multiple reasons&mdash;from its geographical position to a skilled and motivated workforce. Volker Hagen, Head of Strategic Planning at Brose, a company that has been manufacturing in Pančevo for years, said he had “nothing but recommendations for investing in Serbia.”
“Serbia is the locomotive of the region, whether we like it or not. But we should like it,” observed Jörg Heskens, advisor to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.
According to Heskens, Serbia’s economic progress&mdash;the fact that over the past ten years it has recorded the highest economic growth in Europe, that 90 percent of its trade is conducted with the EU and the region rather than with Russia, China, or the United States, and that it serves as a regional hub for German and European companies&mdash;should be the key anchor for accelerating European integration, just as it is the main pillar of Serbian policy.
“In Serbia, two million people vote for the president because their economic situation is better, not because they watch those ‘strange’ television channels,” Heskens said, responding to the simplified image of Serbia often presented by Western politics and media, which fails to take Serbian realities into account.
Photo: Olivera Papestiјević

EU and German Support Crucial for Serbia’s European Integration

The President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Marko Čadež, and the Director of the Office for IT and eGovernment, Mihailo Jovanović, signed a Cooperation Agreement at the Ložionica venue in Belgrade, aimed at the more efficient implementation of the “Serbia Digitalizes” digital transformation knowledge-sharing program, as well as the development of a national LLM &mdash; a large language model for the Serbian language.
Jovanović stated that the Agreement comes at a time when, according to the World Bank index measuring the maturity of public administration development, Serbia ranks 2nd in Europe and 6th globally, while according to the Oxford AI Readiness Index, it is among the top 20 percent of countries worldwide most prepared for the application of artificial intelligence. In this context, he emphasized that the Agreement represents an important step toward the international promotion of domestic eGovernment solutions, as well as toward the further development and wider application of artificial intelligence.
“For the first time, the Republic of Serbia is taking a systematic and strategic approach to the development and training of a large AI language model for the Serbian language, opening space for the application of artificial intelligence in education, healthcare, the judiciary, culture, public administration, and the economy. By developing a large AI language model for the Serbian language, we are preserving our digital and AI sovereignty, ensuring that data remains within the country. This model will enable the Serbian language, script, and identity to be equally represented in the global digital space, with full control over data, standards, and ethical principles.
Thanks to the existing supercomputer at the State Data Center in Kragujevac and the planned installation of two additional supercomputers during 2026, Serbia is building and enhancing its own AI infrastructure, while the development of the Serbian language model has great cultural and identity significance. We expect many other institutions to join this project very soon, primarily the National Library, the University Library, RTS, RTV, the Institute for Artificial Intelligence Development, and many others,” Jovanović said, adding that this is an investment to ensure that the Serbian language, all its dialects and pronunciations, remain alive in the future &mdash; because what book printing was in the 19th century, AI is in the 21st century.
Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, emphasized that the development of a national AI language model will bring enormous benefits to the economy, such as reduced solution development costs, increased productivity, automation of customer support and sales, and faster, data-driven business decision-making.
“Every company, regardless of its level of digitalization, will be able to transform more easily, faster, and more simply, with significantly lower entry barriers for the application of artificial intelligence. This applies to all sectors &mdash; from energy and agriculture, where AI enables smart resource management, through finance with advanced digital assistants and customer communication in the Serbian language, to healthcare through the analysis of medical documentation, faster diagnostics, and secure storage of citizens’ health data. In education, children and students will have access to AI tools in the Serbian language with security filters, while in the legal system, a domestic language model will improve the work of lawyers, courts, and notaries through precise and standardized language use. Small and medium-sized enterprises will experience the greatest transformation through automated sales, marketing assistants, and digital business support, enabling them to be more competitive in both domestic and international markets. The creation of our own language model and the introduction of the 5G network are two key turning points positioning Serbia as an exporter of innovation, a strong digital ecosystem, and a regional innovation hub, with clear benefits for the economy, citizens, and society as a whole,” Čadež said.
He added that the plan is for the Chamber to support the export of IT solutions and innovative tools developed by the Office for IT and eGovernment. Negotiations are underway with Tashkent regarding the adoption of the eBaby program, given that one million babies are born annually in Uzbekistan.
By signing this Agreement, the Office for IT and eGovernment and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia confirm their commitment to joint action aimed at further advancing digital transformation, strengthening economic competitiveness, and positioning Serbia as a regional leader in digital public services and artificial intelligence.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC08063_960x540.jpg" id="image-tag-1768471242617" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1996"></div>

Serbia to Develop a Large AI Language Model for the Serbian Language 

Next year, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia&nbsp;(CCIS) will organize the participation of Serbian companies in at least four international trade fairs in China and lead at least ten business delegations to the world’s most populous country. At the same time, the CCIS will twice a year bring together Serbian and Chinese businesspeople in Serbia to foster networking and the implementation of joint projects, announced today Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.
Speaking at a ceremonial cocktail reception at the Serbian Business Club “Privrednik,” organized by the CCIS for representatives of the Serbian and Chinese business communities, Čadež said that Serbia has a significant opportunity to improve and further develop cooperation with China. This comes as the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), together with the Chamber of Chinese Companies in Serbia, begins the official opening of its representative office in Belgrade.
“We expect the office to be officially opened in 2026. What is important is that they are not starting from a ‘ground zero’,&nbsp; since Chinese companies are already operating in Serbia and have organized themselves into an association- the Chamber of Chinese Companies- which&nbsp;already operates here,” Čadež said.
At the event, which brought together more than 30 of the largest Serbian companies and 24 Chinese companies, Čadež emphasized that the number of visits to China will be doubled with the aim of connecting domestic companies with major Chinese partners. The goal is to launch new projects in 2026 and make next year a “year of Chinese-Serbian cooperation.”<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/IMG_3892_960x5401.jpg" id="image-tag-1766765224307" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1994"></div>
Jagoda Lazarević, Minister of Foreign and Internal Trade, highlighted that Serbia and China have strong potential for further growth in bilateral trade and investments. She stressed that the coming period will be dedicated to strengthening business ties and diversifying Serbian exports to the Chinese market, noting that Expo 2027 will be an excellent opportunity to present China in Serbia.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/IMG_3883_960x540.jpg" id="image-tag-1766765237515" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1993"></div>
Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Li Ming underlined that the two countries have enormous potential for further development of bilateral trade and investments. He emphasized the importance of implementing new projects, expanding market access for Serbian products, and continuing successful cooperation in 2026, with a focus on innovation, sustainable development, and premium product quality. He also noted the need to further develop the potential enabled by the joint Free Trade Agreement.

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Yang Dong, President of the Chamber of Chinese Companies in Serbia and General Director of China Communications Construction Company, recalled that the organization brings together 58 companies in Serbia employing more than 25,000 people across various sectors, from infrastructure to finance. He stressed the importance of intensifying cooperation between Serbian and Chinese companies in 2026.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/IMG_68661_960x720.jpg" id="image-tag-1766765250049" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1995"></div>

Čadež: A New Phase of Economic Cooperation with China in 2026 

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) has published a Business Guide to the Bosnia and Herzegovina Market, intended for companies planning to start or expand their operations, establish new partnerships, increase exports, or implement investments in one of the most important markets in the region.
The publication is available free of charge on the CCIS website and is part of the Chamber’s activities aimed at providing concrete, reliable, and practical support to the domestic economy, to strengthen regional business activities. The Business Guide to the Bosnia and Herzegovina Market, as well as other CCIS regional guides, can be downloaded in PDF format from the Chamber’s website: <a href="https://pks.rs/strana/sekcija/publikacije-regionalna-saradnja">https://pks.rs/strana/sekcija/publikacije-regionalna-saradnja</a>
“Bosnia and Herzegovina is a natural and strategically very important market for Serbian companies. Geographic proximity, strong trade ties, a similar business environment, and long-standing cooperation make it one of the first and most logical steps for entering or further expanding business operations in the region. Investment in knowledge and timely information represents the foundation for successful business decisions,” emphasizes Đorđije Radović from the CCIS Center for Regional Cooperation.
Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are the largest trading partners in the Western Balkans. Total trade in goods between the two countries amounted to EUR 2.9 billion in the previous year, while trade in services reached EUR 868 million.
With Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia realizes around 50 percent of its total trade in goods with Western Balkan economies. Bosnia and Herzegovina is Serbia’s leading export destination in the region, accounting for almost half of total regional exports, and at the same time, the country from which Serbia imports the most. Over the past three years, the Bosnian-Herzegovinian market has been Serbia’s second most important export market globally. According to data from the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, with more than EUR 1.5 billion in investments, is one of the largest investors in that country.
“The Business Guide to Bosnia and Herzegovina is the result of many years of experience and the daily work of the CCIS team with companies that already operate or plan to enter this market. The publication is based on the most frequently asked questions and practical business dilemmas&mdash;from the tax system, company establishment, and investment procedures, to public procurement, work permits, and other administrative requirements,” Radović points out.
The Guide provides a comprehensive overview of key aspects of doing business in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including economic indicators, the structure of the economy, the regulatory and tax framework, as well as the specifics of business practice. A particular value of the publication lies in references to relevant institutions, contacts, and additional sources of information that help companies navigate the local business environment and make informed decisions.
By publishing the Business Guide to Bosnia and Herzegovina, CCIS continues its series of regional publications, following previously published guides for Slovenia, Croatia, Albania, and North Macedonia, thereby further strengthening its role as a reliable partner and service provider to the domestic economy.
“Through these guides and other services we provide, the Chamber remains a strong pillar of support for companies in their efforts to efficiently harness the potential of regional markets, enhance competitiveness, and ensure long-term sustainable growth and resilience,” Radović concludes.

New Tool of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia for Businesses: Free Business Guide to the Bosnia and Herzegovina Market

Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS), met today with Akira Imamura, Ambassador of Japan to Serbia, to discuss the current cooperation and opportunities for joint projects between the two economies in the fields of energy and agriculture, the organization of business meetings between Serbian and Japanese companies in the coming period, as well as the participation of Japanese companies at Expo 2027.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC00476-2.jpg" id="image-tag-1766480149878" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1987"></div>
Čadež thanked Ambassador Imamura, whose term in Serbia is coming to an end, for the successful cooperation to date and officially proposed that Imamura become an Honorary Representative of the CCIS in Japan.
“The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia will support the further strengthening of energy cooperation with Japan, and we are also preparing a visit of Serbian companies to Japan. We also want to encourage Japanese companies to visit GITEX, which will be held in 2027 as part of Expo,” Čadež said.
Ambassador Imamura announced the upcoming visit of representatives of the Japanese organization JETRO to Belgrade and emphasized the importance of continuing to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the areas of energy, e-mobility, and the participation of Serbian agricultural producers at the fair in Yokohama.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC00456-2.jpg" id="image-tag-1766480160112" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1983"></div><div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC00450-2.jpg" id="image-tag-1766480170453" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1982"></div><div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC00472-2.jpg" id="image-tag-1766480180675" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1986"></div>
Photo: Boban Ristić

Čadež: Japan an Important Partner of Serbia in Energy and Innovation

With the entry into force of the Free Trade Agreement between Serbia and Egypt, significant opportunities have opened up for strengthening trade cooperation and for a stronger presence of Serbian companies in the Egyptian and African markets, it was highlighted at a meeting between the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Marko Čadež, and the Ambassador of Egypt to Serbia, Ahmed Salam Soliman. The meeting focused on advancing economic cooperation between the two countries.
The President of the CCIS assessed that trade exchange had so far been hindered by the absence of a Free Trade Agreement, the implementation of which began on 1st September this year. As he noted, the CCIS plans to open a representative office in Cairo, which will provide operational support to Serbian companies entering the Egyptian market and enable more effective use of the benefits of the Agreement.

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“Egypt has the potential to become a regional hub for cooperation with African markets,” Čadež said, adding that, in addition to existing services such as the PKS Chatbot available to companies, the CCIS, in cooperation with the relevant ministries, will prepare a practical guide for companies on how to make use of the advantages of the Free Trade Agreement.
Ambassador Soliman emphasized the importance of improving the visa regime and establishing direct air routes between Belgrade and Cairo, assessing that this would significantly contribute to the growth of trade exchange. “My priority is for the Free Trade Agreement to be fully implemented in practice, and I believe that the volume of trade exchange in the coming period will increase several times over,” Soliman stated. He added that EXPO 2027 will be an additional platform for strengthening economic cooperation between Serbia and Egypt.
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 Photo: Boban Ristić (CCIS)

Free Trade Agreement Opens New Opportunities for Strengthening Serbia–Egypt Cooperation

Domestic startups and representatives of Serbia’s business community will take part in Web Summit Qatar 2026, to be held from 1 to 4 February 2026 in Doha, Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS), said today at a meeting at the CCIS with a Qatari delegation on a working visit to Belgrade.
“Web Summit Qatar” is one of the largest technology conferences in that part of the world, expected to gather around 30,000 participants from more than 120 countries, including investors and startups from across the globe.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC00335-2.jpg" id="image-tag-1766050044221" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1974"></div>
At the meeting, Čadež emphasized that Serbia has been recording steady growth in the ICT sector for years, with software exports exceeding €5 billion, and that the country, with a population of around 6.5 million, today represents an important European innovation and startup hub.
“I would like us to prepare a Memorandum of Cooperation and to agree on a strong matchmaking process for tech companies and innovative firms traveling to Qatar,” Čadež said at the meeting, stressing that the participation of Serbian startups at this summit further strengthens connections between Europe, the Gulf countries, Asia, and Africa.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC00348-2.jpg" id="image-tag-1766050057379" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1972"></div>
Čadež also highlighted that Serbia is a strong global knowledge base, particularly in the field of engineering solutions, where he sees significant opportunities for cooperation.
“It is important that we jointly create a ‘soft-landing’ platform for connecting companies at the Summit, in order to link startups with investors and investment capital,” Čadež said.
Representatives of the Qatari delegation emphasized that they view Web Summit as a global business platform connecting Europe, the Gulf countries, and Africa, with a focus on tangible results and high-quality business networking.
Increased interest in Serbia followed the appearance of the Serbian delegation at Web Summit in Lisbon, it was noted at the meeting.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC00328-2.jpg" id="image-tag-1766050072275" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1975"></div>
Duha Al Buhendi, Director of the Digital Society and Digital Skills Department at the Ministry of Communications, Information and Technology and Vice Chair of the Web Summit Qatar Organizing Committee, emphasized that the Summit will represent a new opportunity for networking among Serbian, Qatari, and global companies through organized pitching sessions, B2B and B2G meetings, as well as visits to technology parks and industrial zones.
The Qatari delegation also presented incentive programs and support mechanisms intended for startups, scale-up companies, and large technology systems, as well as opportunities for connecting with Qatar’s innovation, R&D, and technology ecosystem.
Following the meeting, presentations were held by the Development Agency of Serbia (RAS) on the business environment and investment opportunities in Serbia, as well as on the country’s innovation ecosystem.
The meeting was also attended by Saud Ahmed Al Bouinin, Director of the Department for Studies and Strategic Planning at the Government Communications Office and Secretary General of the Web Summit Qatar Organizing Committee; Ahmed Al Haiki, Investor Relations Advisor (Invest Qatar); Mubarak Ali Al Marri, PR Coordinator from the Government Communications Office; as well as Predrag Nikolić, Director of the Center for Digital Transformation (CDT); Nebojša Bjelotomić, Advisor to the President of the CCIS; and Ana Stojanović, Head of the CCIS Center for the Middle East and Africa.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC00365-2.jpg" id="image-tag-1766050088104" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1973"></div>

CCIS and Qatar Preparing the Participation of Serbian Startups at Web Summit Qatar 2026 

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber will jointly approach European Union institutions in Brussels, as well as EU Member States, to find a solution to the problem of transport permits for truck drivers from Serbia. This was agreed today at a meeting between Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS), Eva Liebman, Deputy Secretary General of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO), and Jürgen Schröder, Director of Advantage Austria for Serbia.
“As early as next week, we will begin intensive work on this important issue&mdash;transport permits for truck drivers. We expect solutions to be defined in January or February of next year. The Austrian business community has recognized the seriousness of this challenge, and together we will address both Brussels and the Member States that decide on this matter, in order to reach concrete outcomes as soon as possible. This issue must be resolved no later than March next year,” Čadež said following the meeting with representatives of Austrian business associations.
The EU “90/180 rule” stipulates that nationals of countries with a visa-free regime may stay in the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period, which effectively halves the working time of professional drivers. Serbian drivers warn that this rule already has, and will continue to have, significant consequences for Serbian drivers, supply chains, the economy, and exports.
Čadež also emphasized that an agreement had been reached with Austrian partners to organize a major meeting of representatives from Austria, the Visegrád Group, and the Western Balkans, dedicated to strengthening regional cooperation and joint economic initiatives.
The President of the CCIS recalled that cooperation with the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber has been ongoing for more than twelve years and has provided strong support to the Serbian Chamber, from the transformation of the chamber system through the establishment of the Center for Digital Transformation to the introduction of dual education.
In the coming period, a priority of this cooperation will also be the participation of Austrian companies at EXPO and at the GITEX Serbia technology innovation fair, which will be held in Serbia starting in 2027.

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Support of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber in Addressing the EU Permit Issue for Serbian Truck Drivers

Producers and exporters of frozen sour cherries from Serbia showcased their products at the Food Ingredients Europe 2025 fair in Paris, establishing numerous B2B contacts, with the value of potential business arrangements estimated at around USD 3.5 million.
With the support of the International Trade Centre (ITC) project Trade Promotion East (TPE), in cooperation with the SIPPO Serbia project and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia presented a delegation of Serbian frozen sour cherry producers and exporters at the joint national stand at Food Ingredients Europe 2025, held from 2 to 4 December in Paris.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/Miša i Marija_960x720.jpg" id="image-tag-1765367142263" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1948"></div>
Supported by the ITC project, Serbian companies had the opportunity to connect with European buyers and distributors seeking reliable partners and high-quality fruit ingredients. The fair is specialized and exclusively geared toward business and professional buyers (B2B market).
Eight companies represented Serbian sour cherry producers and exporters at the joint national stand: Frutorga, Fungo-jug, Green Group Fresh & Frozen, Interfood 60 d.o.o., MDDP Janić, Menex, SB Brava, and Strela Group. In total, 164 new business contacts were established, with potential sales estimated at around USD 3.5 million.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/amb. Ana, Vlada i Jovana_960x720.jpg" id="image-tag-1765367115383" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1946"></div>
Serbia has built a strong reputation for excellence in sour cherry production, backed by decades of expertise and a consistent annual export capacity of 30,000 tons.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and the International Trade Centre (ITC) will continue supporting export-oriented companies (in the sour cherry and apple segments) through regular project activities focused on capacity building and strengthening competitive advantages in international markets throughout 2026.
During the fair, the Serbian delegation at the national stand was visited by the Ambassador of Serbia to France, Ana Hrustanović, Minister-Counsellor and Head of the Economic Department of the Embassy, Marija Nestorović, the Honorary Representative of CCIS in France, Miša Ražnatović, as well as the CCIS representative in Paris, Ivana Stanković.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/Ivana_960x1361.jpg" id="image-tag-1765367056214" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1947"></div>

Serbian Sour Cherries in the Spotlight at Food Ingredients Europe 2025 in Paris 

Serbia has undergone a major shift in the structure of its economy and exports over the past several years, most clearly reflected in the rapid growth of the technology sector. Today, our biggest export product is software – last year alone, Serbia exported more than 5.1 billion euros in software services. “This represents a fundamental change in Serbia’s positioning on the global economic map,” stated Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.
Speaking on the panel “Building the Foundations: Infrastructure, Connectivity and Business Environment” at the international BELTALKS (Belgrade Economic Talks) forum, Čadež noted that when software exports per capita are compared with Austria, Serbia achieves better results.
Commenting on the investment climate, Čadež emphasized that fiscal stability is a result of responsible cost management, as confirmed by IMF assessments and projections, as well as Serbia’s investment rating. These are, he said, the most important factors for investors.
He pointed out that Serbia is entering a period of major advancement, with investments in EXPO 2027. “It is a major event, and what we have done over the past year is to turn EXPO into a hub for new large-scale events. This will be followed by events such as GITEX, the world’s largest tech fair. We will be the only host of GITEX in Central and Eastern Europe,” said Čadež. Such fairs and events significantly enhance global visibility and the country’s international positioning.
He stressed the urgent need for the entire Western Balkans to be included in the EU single market. “We advocate establishing a regulatory body at the level of the Western Balkans that would implement common rules and accelerate economic integration, while also opening a direct line of communication with the European Union on step-by-step accession to the single market, with a clear roadmap,” he said.
“I see no reason why the Western Balkans should not view itself as part of the European economic area. We see ourselves as part of European values,” Čadež concluded.
He highlighted the importance of supporting regional cooperation and noted that placing political focus on integration has delivered concrete results in just one year – border waiting times across the region have been shortened, and company costs have been reduced by up to 70 percent. Trade with Albania and North Macedonia has grown by around 70 percent and 50 percent, respectively, over the past four years, proving that when concrete steps are taken, results follow quickly.
The panel also featured Eva Libman, Deputy Secretary General of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber; Lev Ratnovski, IMF Resident Representative for Serbia; Pierre Grangeon, Head of the Regional Economic Service for the Western Balkans at the French Embassy in Belgrade; and Vuk Velebit, President of the Pupin Initiative.
BELTALKS, a two-day conference organized by GLOBSEC, together with the embassies of the United Kingdom, France, and Italy, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and Friends of Europe, was held at the Hyatt Hotel. It focused on enhancing cooperation and competitiveness across Europe, aiming to improve policy alignment and competitiveness while offering new opportunities for alignment with the EU Growth Plan and the Net-Zero Industry Act.
This year’s BELTALKS gathered more than 150 international participants, including senior EU officials, government representatives, business leaders, and experts from the EU and candidate countries.