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 

President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) Marko Čadež met today with a delegation from the Korean company SYChem, which specializes in the production of chemical products, particularly polymer flocculants used in wastewater treatment and various industrial processes.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/1000036943.jpg" id="image-tag-1787740579418" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2386"></div>
Representatives of the company expressed interest in investing in Serbia, technology transfer, as well as the implementation of joint venture projects.
The President of the CCIS briefed the Korean delegation on Serbia’s investment potential, access to markets enabled by free trade agreements, as well as the institutional support provided to investors by the CCIS and the Government of Serbia through foreign investment incentive programs.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/1000036960 (1).jpg" id="image-tag-1787740570652" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2387"></div>
Čadež also pointed out that, according to announcements by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, 20 new wastewater treatment plants are expected to be built by 2030. Such projects, he noted, create additional opportunities for investment, technology transfer and international cooperation.
SYChem CEO Dae Kap Byun said that he expects the visit to Serbia to contribute to defining new forms of cooperation and opening up concrete opportunities for future projects.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/10000369741.jpg" id="image-tag-1787740559859" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2389"></div>

Growing Interest Among Korean Companies in Investing in Serbia

Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS), met today in Trieste with Antonio Paoletti, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Venezia Giulia – Trieste-Gorizia, and Franco Dal Mas, Secretary General of the Central European Initiative (CEI), to discuss stronger institutional and business ties between the economies of the Western Balkans and the Alpine-Adriatic region, as well as strengthening chamber and intergovernmental initiatives aimed at developing key transport corridors. David Piegački, Secretary General of the Western Balkans Chamber Investment Forum (WB6 CIF), also attended the meetings.
Čadež proposed to Paoletti that Trieste host meetings of businesspeople, investors and chamber leaders from the Western Balkans and the Alpine-Adriatic region twice a year, serving as a permanent platform for connecting companies, developing supply chains, presenting investment projects and launching joint initiatives.
The two chamber networks connected through this initiative represent approximately 1.2 million companies. The WB6 CIF brings together around 350,000 businesses from the six Western Balkan economies, while the Alpine-Adriatic network represents nearly 850,000 companies from Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia. The aim is to connect this large business base through concrete projects and new partnerships.
“Trieste is a natural place for such an initiative. It is home to the WB6 CIF headquarters, the Chamber of Commerce of Venezia Giulia is one of the active stakeholders in the Alpine-Adriatic network, and the city itself represents an important economic, logistics and historical link between the Western Balkans, Central Europe and the Mediterranean,” Čadež said.
Future meetings in Trieste should focus on concrete results, business-to-business meetings, joint investment projects, transport and logistics, the energy and green transition, digitalisation, innovation, access to finance and stronger integration of Western Balkan companies into European value chains.
At the meeting with CEI Secretary General Franco Dal Mas, particular attention was devoted to linking this intergovernmental platform with the WB6 CIF and creating a joint business and transport agenda.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/IMG-20260824-WA0005_960x720.jpg" id="image-tag-1787579231821" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2382"></div>
“The CEI can bring together governments and European institutions, while the WB6 CIF represents around 350,000 companies and their real needs. It is precisely this connection between political decisions, infrastructure projects and the demands of businesses that can deliver results that companies will feel immediately,” Čadež stressed.
The modernisation of the Trieste–Ljubljana–Zagreb–Belgrade railway corridor and its connection with the Northern Adriatic ports, Skopje and Thessaloniki was at the centre of the discussions, with the aim of creating a fast, green and reliable land bridge linking the Adriatic, the Western Balkans, Central Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Regional initiatives within the framework of the Interreg IPA ADRION programme offer particular potential. Joint efforts by the CEI and the WB6 CIF chambers should focus on modernising railway infrastructure and the Šid–Tovarnik border crossing, improving connections between railways, intermodal terminals and the ports of Trieste, Koper and Rijeka, as well as expanding green corridors, enabling digital data exchange and ensuring round-the-clock operation of inspection services.
The interlocutors also agreed that priorities include the mutual recognition of controls and the development of integrated border crossings, as well as a joint initiative towards the European Commission for a sustainable solution to the 90/180-day rule for professional drivers from the Western Balkans.
Around 26 million working hours of drivers are lost every year at Western Balkan border crossings, equivalent to almost 3,000 years of waiting time. For companies, however, logistics is simple – goods need to arrive quickly, reliably and at a predictable cost.
For this reason, the CEI and the WB6 CIF will work on establishing a joint business and transport agenda based on data from companies, precisely identified bottlenecks and joint projects to be submitted to European funds and institutions.
“Corridors are not just railways, roads and ports. They are infrastructure for economic growth, new investment and the faster integration of the Western Balkans into the European single market,” Čadež said.

Trieste – A Bridge Connecting the Economies of the Western Balkans and the Alpine-Adriatic Region

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) is hosting, for the first time, a business delegation from four Central Asian countries &mdash; Armenia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The seven-day study visit brings together 17 business representatives and is aimed at strengthening business cooperation, exchanging experience, and opening up new business and investment opportunities for companies from Serbia and Central Asia. The visit represents an important step towards strengthening Serbia’s economic relations with the Central Asian region and creating new opportunities for the internationalization of Serbian companies’ operations in this market.
The event has been organized as part of the cooperation under the “Trade Promotion in the East” (TPE) project, in cooperation with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and with the support of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
On behalf of the CCIS, the delegation was addressed by Dušanka Kalezić, Adviser to the President, who expressed her gratitude to the International Trade Centre and the TPE Project for the results achieved over the past four years. Kalezić emphasized that the TPE project has provided significant support to Serbia’s food and agricultural sectors in strengthening the international competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Through expert activities focused on export promotion, Serbian producers of fresh apples and sour cherries participated in seven international trade fairs, held more than 1,200 B2B meetings with potential buyers, and generated business opportunities estimated at approximately EUR 12 million.
In addition to providing direct support to companies, the TPE project also contributed to strengthening the institutional capacities of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia. Through the “Training of Trainers” programme, CCIS experts enhanced their knowledge and practical skills in using the International Trade Centre’s digital trade intelligence tools, including Trade Map, Export Potential Map and Market Access Map.
On this basis, a new export support service was established, enabling Serbian SMEs to access high-quality market intelligence and tailored advisory services for entering foreign markets.
One of the important outcomes of the project has also been the development of regional cooperation with Central Asian countries and the creation of opportunities for new business and investment partnerships.
“Diversification of markets, supply chains and business partnerships is today a strategic necessity for building resilient economies. Serbia remains strongly integrated into and committed to the single European market, while our companies are simultaneously adapting to an increasingly demanding regulatory environment, including sustainability requirements, the European Green Deal, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, industrial decarbonization policies and other evolving regulatory frameworks,” Kalezić said.
In this context, strengthening economic ties with Central Asia represents an opportunity not only to diversify export markets, but also to build long-term partnerships based on complementary economic potential, growing demand and shared ambitions for sustainable economic development.
A particular focus of the study visit is on the fruit processing sector, with an emphasis on drying and freeze-drying, as well as the production of planting material. The members of the delegation are interested in learning about modern production processes and technologies, exchanging experience with Serbian companies, and exploring opportunities for developing long-term business relationships.
During the seven-day programme, with the support of the ITC project, the delegation will visit selected companies in Šabac, Valjevo, Osečina, Čačak and Kruševac. The visits will provide an opportunity to gain first-hand insight into production capacities, the application of modern technologies and examples of good business practice, as well as to discuss opportunities for developing joint projects, investments and trade cooperation.
The study visit represents another step towards connecting the economies of Serbia and the Central Asian countries and confirms the commitment of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia to actively support the internationalization of domestic companies, the opening of new markets, and the establishment of business ties with partners from a region of growing strategic importance.
Photo: CCIS

PKS Hosts Business Delegation from Four Central Asian Countries

Bilateral relations between Serbia and Kazakhstan are at their highest level, primarily due to the strengthening of economic and trade ties between the two countries. This was assessed during a meeting between Mihailo Vesović, Deputy President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce for International Cooperation and Development, and a Kazakh delegation led by Alibek Kuantirov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Rakhimzhan Isakulov, Deputy Minister of Industry and Construction.
“The continuity of visits by official Serbian delegations, business forums, business meetings, and participation in trade fairs in Kazakhstan have contributed to a better understanding of market requirements, direct contacts with business partners, and the realization of exports of products and services to Kazakhstan,” Vesović said. He invited Kazakh businesspeople to visit Serbia in order to familiarize themselves with the country’s economic, investment, and production potential.
Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alibek Kuantirov informed the Serbian side about government support programs available to Kazakh entrepreneurs and foreign investors. As he emphasized, Kazakhstan’s priority is the localization of production, which provides opportunities and government incentives for doing business in Kazakhstan’s rapidly growing industrial market, particularly in the fields of energy, mechanical engineering, and manufacturing. According to Kuantirov, Expo 2027 represents an ideal opportunity for Kazakhstan to showcase its economic potential. “We have officially begun preparations to promote Kazakhstan’s achievements next year in Belgrade,” Kuantirov concluded.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Construction Rakhimzhan Isakulov emphasized that all business initiatives put forward by the Serbian side would be seriously considered and supported through Kazakhstan’s government administration, business associations and funds, as well as by specific companies that could become future business partners.
Bilateral trade reached a record $903.7 million in 2025, representing a 50 percent increase compared with the same period of the previous year. Serbia exported $75 million worth of goods, primarily packaging paper and cardboard, aluminum alloy products, motor oils, sunflower seeds, cigarettes, machinery, and medicines. Serbia’s significant trade deficit was primarily due to increased imports of energy products, fertilizers, and chemical products, particularly polypropylene and polyethylene. In the first half of 2026, bilateral trade increased by 14 percent, with total trade in goods reaching $567 million.
The meeting was also attended by the newly appointed Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Serbia, H.E. Bolat Imanbayev.
During the meeting, Serbian companies Termovent, Energoprojekt, and PPT Inženjering presented their production programs, business initiatives, and results achieved to date in economic cooperation with Kazakhstan.

Serbia–Kazakhstan Relations on a Dynamic Upward Trajectory

Opportunities to enhance institutional and business cooperation, as well as to foster connections between companies from Serbia and Türkiye, were the focus of a meeting held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) with a delegation from the Sivas Chamber of Commerce.
The delegation from the Sivas Chamber of Commerce was led by Zeki Özdemir, Chairman of the Board of Directors.

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During the meeting, 10&nbsp; Turkish&nbsp;companies operating across a range of economic sectors were presented, including construction and defence industries, construction materials and marble production, fuel distribution, the automotive industry, medical products manufacturing, iron and steel production, engineering and energy services, as well as logistics.
Representatives of CCIS associations also attended the meeting. The discussions focused on presenting the participating companies and exploring opportunities to establish and further develop business cooperation between companies from Serbia and Türkiye.

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​  CCIS and Sivas Chamber of Commerce Discuss New Opportunities for Business Cooperation between Serbian and Turkish Companies

According to the currently available official documents and announcements, Serbia is not included in the new measures introduced by the United States under Section 301, and no additional country-specific tariff has been imposed on goods originating from Serbia. This means that there are no new additional tariffs that apply exclusively to Serbian products.
Goods originating from Serbia continue to be subject to the existing tariff rates under the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS), depending on the product category, without the introduction of new reciprocal tariffs.
At the same time, the special trade measures imposed under Section 232 remain in force. These measures continue to apply, among other products, to certain steel, aluminum, and copper products, which remain subject to an additional 50% tariff.
Concerning Serbia's most significant exports to the United States, it is important to note that the previously introduced measures remain in effect for new pneumatic tires for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (vans), as well as for passenger motor vehicles and certain automotive parts. Accordingly, the additional 25% tariff on these products remains in force and is not covered by the exemptions provided under the latest measures announced on July 24, 2026.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia will continue to monitor decisions issued by the White House and other relevant U.S. authorities and will keep the Serbian business community informed promptly of any changes that may affect the operations of Serbian companies in the U.S. market.
For additional information, please contact the Center for Cooperation with the United States:
Marica Vidanović
Tel: +381 66 875 1208Full Information available on the <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/07/actions-by-the-united-states-in-the-investigations-under-section-301-of-the-trade-act-of-1974-of-the-acts-policies-and-practices-of-60-economies-related-to-the-failure-of-each-economy-to-impose-and/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">LINK</a>

Serbia Not Included in New U.S. Tariff Measures

Greater investment, new industrial and infrastructure projects, and stronger business-to-business ties will be the key priorities of future economic cooperation between Serbia and the Czech Republic, with the full support of the highest state leadership of both countries, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said at the opening of the "Serbia–Czech Republic: Business Dialogue and New Opportunities for Economic Cooperation" Business Forum.
The gathering of 50 Serbian and Czech companies from nearly all key industries sends a strong signal that the business communities of both countries recognize significant potential for new investments and joint ventures, said Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS).

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President Aleksandar Vučić told Czech business representatives that their companies are welcome to invest in Serbia, emphasizing that the country is a stable and reliable partner. He noted that bilateral trade has increased from EUR 433 million in 2012 to approximately EUR 2.4 billion today, while around 245 companies with majority Czech ownership currently operate in Serbia. Czech investments in Serbia have exceeded EUR 640 million since 2010. Vučić also announced an initiative to elevate the Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation to the ministerial level in order to accelerate the implementation of joint projects.
"I believe that Serbia can be a reliable partner in this part of Europe for the Czech Republic&mdash;an industrial leader in machinery manufacturing, electrical equipment, energy technologies, medical equipment, the chemical industry, and other advanced production systems&mdash;in developing modern industry, innovation, the digital economy, and new technologies," Vučić said.
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Marko Čadež highlighted that the forum brought together 50 Serbian and Czech companies from key industrial sectors, including the metalworking and electrical engineering industries, defense, aerospace and automotive manufacturing, as well as the chemical industry, information technology, telecommunications, and agriculture. Among the Serbian participants were major companies such as Electric Power Industry of Serbia (EPS), Telekom Srbija, and Beohemija, which is partly Czech-owned.
Čadež emphasized that the Czech Republic is one of Serbia's most important trading partners and a major export market, recalling that bilateral trade has quadrupled over the past decade. He added that the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic will further intensify cooperation and support for companies, while a return visit by a Serbian business delegation to the Czech Republic is already being prepared for later this year.

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Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš stated that Czech companies are ready to launch new investments in Serbia and stressed that there are numerous opportunities to expand cooperation.
"Our goal is to implement projects that will bring prosperity and mutual benefits to both countries. During our discussions, President Vučić and I identified a way to achieve that. I am confident that we will secure the same position in Serbia that some other European Union member states already enjoy, and President Vučić has shown great understanding and support for such an approach," Babiš said, adding that the composition of the Czech business delegation clearly demonstrates the broad scope for strengthening cooperation between the two countries.

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Jan Rafaj, President of the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic, said that Serbia and the Czech Republic share a long tradition of successful economic cooperation and significant potential for new partnership projects in mechanical engineering, energy, the defense industry, security, and digital technologies. He emphasized that the presence of President Vučić and Prime Minister Babiš confirms the strategic importance of bilateral economic relations and the clear commitment to deepening the partnership.
Rafaj recalled that Czech entrepreneurs have been present in Serbia since the era of the renowned industrialist Tomáš Baťa, noting that generations of Serbian citizens have recognized Czech brands such as Škoda, Jawa, Petrof, and Czech beer. He added that companies including PPF Group, Škoda Auto, Škoda Transportation, Sebre, Mattoni, and Dr. Max are successfully operating in Serbia today, bringing investments, expertise, and modern technologies that provide a strong foundation for new joint projects.
Following the opening remarks, presentations were held on the business potential of Serbia and the Czech Republic. Bojan Stanić, Assistant Director of the Strategic Analysis, Services and Internationalization Sector at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, presented opportunities for strengthening bilateral economic cooperation, while representatives of Czech companies showcased their operations, products, and cooperation opportunities with Serbian businesses.
The forum also featured B2B meetings between Serbian and Czech companies, focused on developing concrete business partnerships across a range of industries.

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Prior to the forum, Marko Čadež met with Jan Rafaj to discuss further strengthening cooperation between the two business associations, increasing the exchange of business delegations, and launching new initiatives to foster closer ties between Serbian and Czech companies, including cooperation in the fields of artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and other advanced industries.

Strong Support for New Investments and Serbia–Czech Partnership

Serbia has increased its exports of software and ICT services 13-fold over the past 12 years, reaching a value of EUR 5.2 billion, while the number of engineers in the sector has grown to 150,000, Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, said at an innovation panel held as part of the international conference “Partners in a Changing World: Central and Eastern Europe, America, Israel and the New Middle East”, held at the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/ACS_6044_960x639.jfif" id="image-tag-1784194182965" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2360"></div>
At the panel “Innovation and the Start-Up Nation Model &mdash; What Can Central and Eastern Europe Learn from Israel and What Can It Build in Cooperation with It?”, participants discussed Israel’s experience in building one of the world’s most successful innovation ecosystems, connecting research, technology and business, as well as the opportunities for Central and Eastern European countries to apply these experiences in line with their own development potential.
Israel’s experience in developing start-ups, innovation, research and development centres and global business connectivity represents a valuable example for Serbia, particularly in areas where the country is already building strong capacities &mdash; from the ICT sector and artificial intelligence to science and technology infrastructure and cooperation with international companies.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/ACS_61011_960x639.jfif" id="image-tag-1784194193446" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2363"></div>
Čadež said that progress in innovation development is also reflected in the number of science and technology parks, of which there are currently six in Serbia, as well as in the country’s digital infrastructure, noting that Serbia has a Tier 4 State Data Centre.
“We also have two supercomputers owned by the state, as well as supporting data centres. As for the private sector, there is also a commercial artificial intelligence facility, an AI factory, which uses state-of-the-art technology, similar to that used in the Data Centre. It is difficult to find a country of this size in the EU that has such infrastructure and capacities,” Čadež said.
He noted that Serbia is home to more than 30 international research and development centres operated by some of the world’s largest companies, with Microsoft being the first major global company to establish a presence in Serbia.
“One of the first centres outside Microsoft’s headquarters is located in Serbia. Microsoft Azure, which is a backbone of artificial intelligence applications, was developed by Serbian engineers within Microsoft’s infrastructure development division,” Čadež said.
The key message of the session was that competitiveness in the modern world is increasingly built on knowledge, innovation, entrepreneurship and the ability to connect scientific potential with global markets. Israel’s “Start-Up Nation” model demonstrates how a small country can build a strong technology sector, while Serbia, which has made significant progress in digitalisation and the development of its ICT industry over the past decade, can use these experiences as an impetus for the next phase of development.
The international conference “Partners in a Changing World: Central and Eastern Europe, America, Israel and the New Middle East” is organised by the Serbian-American Friendship Congress (KSAP).
The conference has brought together representatives of government institutions, the diplomatic corps, international organisations, the business community and the expert community to discuss current geopolitical challenges and opportunities for enhancing cooperation among the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the United States, Israel and the Middle East.
PHOTO: KSAP

Čadež: Serbia Has Increased Software and ICT Services Exports 13-Fold Since 2012

Belgrade will host the European Negotiation Conference next year, to be held alongside the EXPO 2027 Belgrade Specialized Exhibition, announced Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS).&nbsp;
At the closing ceremony of the two-day negotiation conference in Paris, Čadež symbolically received the baton from Francesco Marchi, President of the European Negotiation Association (ENEA), officially marking the handover of the next edition of the conference to Belgrade.
"We are truly proud that Belgrade will host such an important international conference during EXPO. This is the annual conference of the European Negotiation Association, bringing together both those who teach negotiation&mdash;professors, researchers, and leading scholars&mdash;as well as practitioners involved in high-level negotiations between governments and companies," Čadež said.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/1B4A0898_960x640.jpg" id="image-tag-1783333044621" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2359"></div>
He emphasized that this is the world's largest event dedicated to negotiation, both in theory and in practice.
"What makes it particularly significant is that, for the first time, the conference is leaving Paris, where it has traditionally been held every year, and coming to Belgrade. We are extremely proud of that," he added.
Addressing participants at the ceremony, Čadež noted that in Belgrade&mdash;and throughout the wider region&mdash;negotiation is a way of thinking because this is a place where negotiation is not merely a theoretical concept, but a way of shaping the future.
"This region, and Belgrade in particular, has always been a city on the frontier. For centuries, it negotiated between East and West&mdash;between the Roman and Byzantine Empires, and later between the Ottoman and Habsburg Empires," said the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.

He stressed that it is especially meaningful for the European Negotiation Conference to take place in Belgrade, as the city will also host EXPO 2027. The story of Belgrade's EXPO began in Paris. Competing against five candidates from four continents, Serbia secured the right to host the exhibition. That, too, was a story of negotiation&mdash;of persistence, hard work, and the ability to unite partners around a common vision.
"That is precisely why the connection between EXPO 2027 and the European Negotiation Conference is so natural and powerful. It brings together theory and practice, international experience and tangible results, while also telling the story of a region that knows how to engage in dialogue, build connections, and reach agreements&mdash;a region I am confident conference participants will find truly inspiring," Čadež said.
Ana Hrustanović, Ambassador of Serbia to France, expressed her great satisfaction at hosting the Ambassador of the European Negotiation Association at the Serbian Residence in Paris.
"We are delighted that Belgrade will host numerous major international events next year, beginning with the realization of our dream&mdash;EXPO 2027: Play for Humanity.
During EXPO, we will also have the opportunity to negotiate for humanity, as the Summit of the European Negotiation Association will be held in Belgrade for the very first time. Serbia is preparing for many important international gatherings, and we look forward to welcoming the world," Hrustanović said.
Francesco Marchi, President of the European Negotiation Association (ENEA), highlighted the importance of the partnership established with EXPO 2027.
"Bringing together representatives of the private sector, academia, and professional negotiators is an ambitious and highly valuable undertaking&mdash;especially at a time when it is essential to build bridges where many see divisions.
The European Negotiation Association builds bridges. We hope that next year's conference will provide an opportunity to strengthen them further&mdash;not only with the European Union, but also across the wider Balkan region," Marchi said.
The ceremony also featured remarks by Ana Bovan, Dean of the Executive School of Economics and Management (ESEM).

​European Negotiation Conference to Be Held in Belgrade in 2027 

The President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Marko Čadež, said in Brussels that it is crucial for Serbian industry to adapt as quickly as possible to the new European rules on decarbonization, energy diversification, and the increased use of renewable energy, as the competitiveness of Serbian companies, their exports to the European Union market, and Serbia's future economic growth depend directly on these efforts.
Following meetings with Minister of Environmental Protection Sara Pavkov, Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Enlargement Gert Jan Koopman, and European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy Jessika Roswall, Čadež described the discussions as highly constructive and practical.
"Our key priorities were the issues most important to the business community&mdash;how to accelerate the processes that will enable us to join relevant European mechanisms, implement the necessary measures, diversify our energy portfolio more effectively, and increase the use of renewable energy in industry," Čadež said.
He stressed that the discussions in Brussels were particularly important in light of the deadlines and obligations Serbian industry must meet in order to comply with increasingly stringent European regulations.
"The European Union is continuously tightening regulations governing imports into its member states. Serbia, its industry, and its companies must adapt to these new rules in order to remain competitive and continue operating successfully in the European market," Čadež stated.
According to him, cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Minister Sara Pavkov has been excellent, and the meetings held in Brussels provide a solid basis for expecting that Serbian industry will be included in a broader package of support measures.
"It is important that we work together on the decarbonization of our industry, the diversification of our energy portfolio&mdash;that is, the sources from which we obtain energy&mdash;and the wider use of renewable energy. These are our top priorities," Čadež emphasized.
He noted that these issues are particularly important for manufacturers of construction materials and fertilizers, as well as for other energy-intensive industries.
"This is of critical importance. It is a matter of survival for many large companies and, consequently, a key issue for Serbia's continued economic development," Čadež concluded.Photo: Dragan Kujundžić

Čadež: Industrial Decarbonization Is a Matter of Competitiveness, Exports and Serbia's Future Economic Growth

Libya is once again emerging as one of the most promising markets for Serbian companies, with growing interest in bilateral cooperation confirmed during the official visit of the Serbian state-business delegation led by the Minister of Domestic and Foreign Trade, Jagoda Lazarević.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/IMG-20260701-WA0006(1).jpg" id="image-tag-1782983102745" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2354"></div>
During the visit, the two sides agreed to establish a Joint Commission between Serbia and Libya, as well as to continue cooperation between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and its Libyan counterpart institutions. The aim is to define common priorities and strengthen the presence of Serbian companies in the Libyan market.
Seven Serbian companies participated in meetings with Libyan government officials and business representatives to discuss opportunities for involvement in Libya's upcoming investment projects. The companies represented the pharmaceutical, construction, water treatment, agricultural machinery, textile, metal processing, and industrial manufacturing sectors: Majevica, Yumco, Kontakt, Unipromet, Hector, Galenika, and MIND Group.
Ana Stojanović, Head of the Middle East and Africa Centre at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, emphasized that this was the second visit of a Serbian state-business delegation to Libya within a year, demonstrating the increasingly intensive relations between the two countries and the significant potential of the Libyan market.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/IMG-20260701-WA0005(1).jpg" id="image-tag-1782983120640" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2355"></div>
"Relations between Serbia and Libya at the government level are excellent, and there is a clear commitment on both sides to further strengthen economic cooperation.
Serbian companies have a long-standing presence in the Libyan market. During the 1970s and 1980s, they participated in the construction of dams, bridges, roads, hospitals, and airports. At one point, more than 20,000 Serbian engineers, experts, and workers lived and worked in Libya. Today is the right time for our companies to return to a market entering a new investment cycle, where there is strong demand for the knowledge, experience, and quality that Serbian businesses can offer," Stojanović said.
She added that the greatest potential for cooperation lies in infrastructure development, construction, water treatment, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, agriculture, the metal industry, and industrial manufacturing.
"The companies that joined the delegation are ready to build long-term partnerships with Libyan businesses. The opening of Unipromet's representative office in the Misrata Free Zone is the first concrete outcome of this visit and demonstrates how quickly these discussions are translating into practical business cooperation," Stojanović noted.
During the visit, the Serbian delegation held meetings with Libyan Minister of Economy and Trade Suhail Abdel Matloub Abu Shiha, Minister of Planning Mohamed Youssef Al-Zaidani, Minister of State for the Affairs of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers Mohamed Bengalbun, and Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/IMG-20260701-WA0012(1).jpg" id="image-tag-1782983141913" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2349"></div><div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/IMG-20260701-WA0009(2).jpg" id="image-tag-1782983160697" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2352"></div>
A roundtable discussion with representatives of Libya's leading ministries, agencies, and business organizations was held at the Ministry of Economy and Trade. In addition, two business forums&mdash;organized by the Union of Libyan Chambers and the Misrata Chamber of Commerce&mdash;provided opportunities for numerous bilateral meetings between Serbian and Libyan companies.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/IMG-20260701-WA0007(1).jpg" id="image-tag-1782983174592" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2353"></div><div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/IMG-20260701-WA0010(3).jpg" id="image-tag-1782983189910" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2351"></div>

New Business Opportunities for Serbian Companies in Libya

Serbia is this year's Strategic Partner of GITEX AI Europe in Berlin, and next year Belgrade will host GITEX Global for the first time&mdash;the world's largest platform for technology and startups. This represents a major opportunity for Serbian companies, the country's startup ecosystem, and Serbia's growing position as an investment destination, said Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, at GITEX AI Europe 2026, taking place in Berlin from 30 June to 1 July.
"This is where innovative companies from across Europe and the world come together to exchange the latest technological solutions, connect with investors, and establish new business partnerships. It is particularly important for Serbia because next year Belgrade and Serbia will become the host of GITEX Global for the very first time&mdash;the world's largest technology exhibition," Čadež emphasized, adding that preparations and partnership discussions are already well underway.
This year, 50 Serbian companies are participating at GITEX Europe in Berlin, including leading IT and AI companies as well as innovative startups.
Čadež highlighted that special attention is being devoted to connecting Serbian and German innovation companies while also preparing for GITEX in Belgrade.
According to him, a dedicated programme will be introduced for German companies, focused on supporting partnerships between German businesses and Serbian SMEs and IT companies.
"Through this programme, the German Association for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (BVMW) will enable innovative German companies to receive funding covering up to 80 percent of their participation costs at GITEX in Belgrade. This is an excellent opportunity to further strengthen ties between the Serbian and German technology ecosystems," Čadež said.

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The President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia noted that investors are already showing significant interest in Serbian companies and that discussions with the organizers of GITEX Europe focused on the startups attracting the greatest attention.
"The startup that has generated the strongest interest among investors attending GITEX Europe this year is from Serbia. It is a company developing innovative electric motor solutions. We will share more details about this success story on another occasion," Čadež said.
The international technology exhibition GITEX Europe 2026 is being held in Europe for the second time. It was launched byGITEX Global, the world's largest technology and startup platform, with the aim of bringing together global technology leaders, investors, governments, and companies creating new opportunities in the digital economy.
Serbia's participation at GITEX Europe further reinforces the country's position as a regional hub for innovation, artificial intelligence, digital solutions, and startup development, while also serving as a prelude to the major global technology event that will take place in Belgrade next year.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, a bilateral workshop and B2B meetings were also organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce. Representatives of ICT associations presented cooperation opportunities and the latest industry trends, while next year's GITEX Serbia was also officially announced.
CHECK ALL THE EXIBITORS ON THE&nbsp;<a href="https://fairs.pks.rs/gitex-berlin-2026/">LINIK</a>&nbsp;

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