The world is currently experiencing a technological revolution driven by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. We have moved from an initial state of shock to a phase where this cutting-edge technology is integrated into our daily lives. As the world and economy rapidly digitalize, businesses of all sizes&mdash;ranging from small enterprises to large corporations&mdash;must adopt and implement digital tools and artificial intelligence. This is essential for improving efficiency and productivity, fostering innovation and growth, and maintaining competitiveness in the global market.
This message was delivered by Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, at the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence Summit held at the Palace of Serbia.

Čadež: From the Shock Phase to the Phase of Artificial Intelligence Application

Brussels
It is urgently necessary to accelerate the flow of goods, people, and services at border crossings to reduce the significant additional costs for companies. Due to 26 million hours of waiting at Serbia’s border crossings with EU countries each year, transportation costs alone amount to approximately €130 million annually, stated Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia&nbsp;(CCIS).
Speaking from Brussels on the Morning Show at National TV Broadcast RTS, Čadež emphasized that the additional costs for companies caused by delays at the Croatian border alone amount to €70 million annually. Administrative barriers affect not only Serbian companies, but also those from Austria, Germany, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, and others.
“One of the operational proposals to address this issue is to establish a mutual exchange of electronic data between the customs authorities of Serbia and Croatia, similar to what has been implemented with Hungary, as well as to improve the infrastructure for truck crossings,” said Čadež.
“We are not depending on the EU administration's proactivity but rather on the business community and companies, as this is a shared challenge that we must address as soon as possible,” he added.
Čadež noted that the outcome of the meeting with Tonino Picula, the European Parliament Rapporteur for Serbia, is an operational plan outlining how to overcome these administrative barriers.
The CCIS President also announced an initiative to convene European rapporteurs for the Western Balkans with business leaders from Serbia and the region to discuss specific issues that negatively impact the economy.

Čadež: €130 Million in Additional Costs for Companies Due to Waiting at EU Borders

Marko Čadež, the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, met today in Brussels with Tonino Picula, the European Parliament's rapporteur for Serbia, to discuss issues hindering economic cooperation in the Western Balkans (WB). These include challenges related to the movement of goods, services, and people at border crossings with Croatia and the administrative line with Kosovo and Metohija.Čadež announced an initiative for EU rapporteurs for the WB to meet with Serbian and regional business leaders. The goal is to shift discussions from ideological debates to the real impacts of non-tariff barriers on the economies of the WB and the European Union.“We addressed very specific issues we face at border crossings, including the transport of goods and necessary inspections, especially at crossings with Croatia,” Čadež said. He emphasized that these problems negatively affect trade and economic activity not only in Serbia but also in countries like Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy, which rely on this transport corridor. “This is becoming a major logistical issue. If 80% of Serbia's exports pass through the port of Rijeka to reach further markets, and there is no understanding from the EU about why improving the flow and transport of goods is essential, then this becomes a significant problem for European industry as well,” Čadež stressed. He also highlighted difficulties at the Merdare administrative crossing, where out of a capacity for 300 trucks per day, only 45 are allowed to pass. This, he noted, causes substantial damage. “Croatian manufacturers operating in Serbia, for whom Kosovo is a major market, face significant problems simply because some politicians fail to understand how the economy works. We sought to clarify what the real, concrete problems are and how we can address them together,” Čadež explained. He added that European and Serbian manufacturers operate in Serbia, making it crucial to resolve these issues quickly through a meeting between WB officials and business leaders from Serbia and the region. During his visit to Brussels, Čadež also met with Michael Gahler, a Member of the European Parliament, to discuss trade and transport issues in the Western Balkans.

Čadež in Brussels: Improving  Flow of Goods is Crucial for the Western Balkans and the EU

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Cambodia in Serbia organized a working visit of a Serbian business delegation to Cambodia to strengthen economic ties in sectors with the greatest potential for cooperation, such as tourism, investments, and agriculture.
During the visit, members of the delegation met with Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism, H.E. Huot Hak. Jovana Majstorović, Head of the Center for Asia, Russia, and CIS at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, presented key information about Serbia's business environment and announced the specialized exhibition “EXPO 2027 BELGRADE.”

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“Expo represents an ideal opportunity for Cambodian entrepreneurs to visit Serbia and explore possibilities for enhancing cooperation between the two countries,” said Majstorović.
At a meeting with the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce, it was agreed to organize business meetings between Serbian and Cambodian entrepreneurs during EXPO 2025 in Osaka. Significant potential for collaboration was highlighted, particularly in agricultural technology, food production, and the IT sector.
The delegation also attended a meeting with the Cambodia Investment Board, where the new Cambodian Investment Plan and its benefits for foreign investors were presented. Serbian companies were given the opportunity to submit their projects through the investment platform.
The visit included a meeting with the Board of Directors of the Federation of Associations of Small and Medium Enterprises, where examples of successful business models were discussed, such as the production of dried fruit from local varieties and black pepper, renowned as some of the highest quality in the world. It was concluded that there is significant room for improving business relations, and both sides committed to intensifying cooperation in the coming period.

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EXPO 2027 - A Bridge Between Serbia and Cambodia

Cooperation between Serbia and Italy in the fields of innovative technologies, trade, and logistics, as well as joint efforts to open new markets and strengthen existing business ties, is key to further enhancing economic and investment collaboration between the two countries. This was emphasized at the Business Forum "Serbia – Nord Est Italy – Regional Business Networking" held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS).
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić invited Italian businesspeople to invest in Serbia and expressed gratitude to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani for the exceptional respect they show towards Serbia, noting that relations between Rome and Belgrade are currently at a high level.
"I am delighted to be here today, and discussions with business representatives from the regions of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, and Trentino are of great importance to us," said Vučić during his address at the Business Forum.
He highlighted that trade exchange with Italy has surpassed €5 billion annually for the first time, while service exchange stands at €650 million. He expressed confidence that trade with Italy will continue to grow in the coming years, emphasizing the need to further attract Italian investors and for Serbian companies to invest in Italy as well.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC03758-2.jpg" id="image-tag-1733308042928" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1408"></div>
Serbian Prime Minister Miloš Vučević announced a joint session of the governments of the two countries to be held on January 31.
"This meeting should bring new strength and energy to overall Serbian-Italian relations, particularly in the economic field," Vučević said.
The key message from the government and President Vučić is that Serbia will safeguard peace and stability in the country and the region while continuing its accelerated path toward European integration, the Prime Minister emphasized. Vučević also noted that Italian capital-funded companies in Serbia employ 30,000 people, primarily in the banking and insurance sectors.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC03693-2.jpg" id="image-tag-1733308066894" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1403"></div>
Italian Ambassador to Serbia Luca Gori stated that the Forum's organization demonstrates exceptional progress in bilateral relations between Serbia and Italy. "This is a future we will build together in every sense and aspect," said Gori. He added that to further bring the two countries closer, simplifying customs procedures is essential, citing the Port of Trieste as a key point of cooperation.
Alessandro Minon, President of the Italian company Finest, emphasized that the collaboration between Nord Est and Finest with countries like Serbia is crucial for opening new markets and strengthening ties between Serbia and Italy.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC03685-2.jpg" id="image-tag-1733308082924" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1401"></div>
President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) Marko Čadež noted that the Business Forum gathered 115 Italian and Serbian companies and highlighted the importance of introducing Serbian businesses to the potential of the Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, and Trentino regions.
According to Čadež, these regions invest heavily in innovation, which is essential for enhancing company competitiveness and the business environment.
“This region is not just a market of 6.6 million people but also a hub of 700,000 enterprises and a significant logistics center,” Čadež stated.
"A notable number of companies here are engaged in green and energy transition, high-tech applications, food production innovations, infrastructure development, and mobility advancements," he added.
He invited Italian businesspeople to explore the specialized EXPO 2027 exhibition and the business opportunities it offers.As part of the Forum, B2B meetings were held between Serbian and Italian companies, with the majority representing sectors such as agrotechnology, energy, green transition, transportation, logistics, construction, healthcare, artificial intelligence in the industry, environmental protection, smart cities development, sustainable mobility, finance, insurance, and ICT.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC03808.jpg" id="image-tag-1733308123921" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1417"></div>

Serbia and Italy: Partnership for Success

The Suzhou Innovation Park, China, is considering establishing a Business Center in Serbia for Chinese companies aiming to expand their operations, introduce innovative solutions to international markets, and collaborate with Serbian firms in knowledge and advanced technology exchange. This was highlighted today in Beijing during a meeting between Marko Čadež, President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia(SCC), and the Suzhou delegation, led by Gina Zhang, Head of the Investment Promotion Committee of the park.
The SCC is also interested in organizing a “showroom” for Serbian products and companies within this innovative supercluster, which is home to approximately 1.3 million residents and around 100,000 companies. “These are significant first steps toward connecting our innovative ecosystems,” Čadež stated.
He further emphasized that it was agreed for an SCC delegation to visit Suzhou at the end of February to prepare for a business forum focused on innovations, to be held in Serbia in April during the visit of Suzhou's leadership to the country.
Suzhou has emerged as a leading model for economic and industrial development in China. Located in Jiangsu Province, about 100 kilometers west of Shanghai, it is one of China's most successful and renowned economic development zones. The city is known for its advanced infrastructure, strategic planning, and strong emphasis on innovation and technology. With 12 global centers and a GDP of $50 billion last year, Suzhou represents a magnet for foreign direct investment and a robust base for China's export-driven industries.
During the final day of the SCC delegation’s visit to China, they toured the headquarters of the Fortune 500 company, China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), and met with Zhou Xiongwei, Executive Vice President of the corporation.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/WhatsApp Image 2024-11-28 at 08.26.58_960x720.jpeg" id="image-tag-1732792264248" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1391"></div>
CETC is one of China’s leading state-owned conglomerates, specializing in developing and producing technologies in electronics and information systems. Founded in 2002, the corporation plays a key role in China’s technological advancements, focusing on innovations in artificial intelligence, radar systems, ICT, smart cities, and cybersecurity.
At the meeting, initial potential areas of cooperation were identified, with a CETC team expected to visit Serbia in the coming months to explore opportunities further.
The SCC delegation also attended a formal reception at the Serbian Embassy in China, hosted by Ambassador Maja Stefanović.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/WhatsApp Image 2024-11-28 at 08.26.57_960x720.jpeg" id="image-tag-1732792249147" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1392"></div>

Leading Chinese Innovation Park Plans to Open a Center in Serbia

Today in Beijing, the Alliance of Chambers of Commerce for the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC), which connects Western China with Southeast Asia and Europe, was officially established. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) is one of the co-founders and members of this alliance. The ILSTC Alliance comprises over 20 national chambers of commerce and industry, spanning from the Philippines to Indonesia.
"Let us not only bring together businesspeople to facilitate trade along the corridor, but also unite individuals to collaborate on innovative ideas. Let's establish a shared platform for startups from all our countries, particularly those focused on new technologies in the logistics sector,” stated Čadež. The CCIS president made this remark during his address at the inauguration ceremony of the Alliance, which was part of the opening of the second China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing..
Čadež recalled that a founding meeting of the Alliance’s member chambers of commerce took place in China a month ago. During this meeting, participants agreed to collaborate on improving trade, logistics, and transportation. The Serbian side proposed the creation of an "Alliance of Ideas" aimed at connecting innovative companies from the member countries.
“We have invited all member countries to organize a major gathering in Belgrade next year, bringing together companies from across the corridor and representatives of institutions managing the corridor. The aim is to develop a robust platform for exchanging ideas and to connect more than 400 startup parks, accelerators, research, and development centers,” Čadež stated.
He emphasized that the focus should no longer be solely on transporting goods from one point to another but on leveraging the opportunities provided by new technologies.
“We need to collectively profit from new technologies and ideas that will enhance transportation and logistics, making the corridor’s functioning more accessible and technologically advanced, perhaps more than anywhere else in the world,” Čadež said.
During the day, Čadež toured the CISCE, which runs from November 26–28 in Beijing. The event features over 300 companies from more than 50 countries and is organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the Chinese government.

Čadež in Beijing: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia Joins ILSTC Corridor Alliance

The third edition of the international wine, food, and tourism fair, Wine Vision by Open Balkan, confirmed its position as a leading event in the industry, bringing together wine experts and enthusiasts from 48 countries. Over 400 international buyers joined Serbian entrepreneurs for more than 1,500 scheduled business meetings, with countless spontaneous connections made at exhibitors' booths.

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President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, speaking at the opening, highlighted the fair’s growing prominence, calling it the third most significant wine fair in Europe after Vinitaly and ProWein in Düsseldorf. “This is a remarkable shared success,” Vučić said, crediting the collaboration between Belgrade, Skopje, and Tirana for the idea. He also expressed hope that Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama would attend next year while thanking North Macedonia’s Prime Minister for his presence at the opening.

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“By all metrics&mdash;quality, number of exhibitors, and visitors&mdash;this event is climbing rapidly. With Düsseldorf losing ground, in two or three years, we might even compete for second place,” Vučić added. While touring the booths, he emphasized that although Serbia cannot yet compete with Italy and France, it is among the best in the region.

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Turning Dreams into Deals
Slađana Ristić from Momirović Distillery shared her excitement: “We’re looking to expand internationally and within the region, and this event has opened doors for us. We had promising meetings with partners from Germany, Azerbaijan, and neighboring countries. The fair’s organization was impeccable, and the atmosphere was inspiring. I’m confident we’ll see some successful partnerships come to life.”

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A Blend of Traditions John Šuša from Plavi Perun Winery praised the fair’s vibrant energy: “As first-time exhibitors, we were blown away by the response. Over the past two days, we’ve had fascinating conversations with buyers from China, Russia, Canada, and Japan. Our wines carry the vibrant essence of the New World combined with deep Serbian traditions&mdash;a story that truly resonated with the international audience.”

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A Taste of the Balkans
For Enikő Király from the global company Vinventions, the fair was an unparalleled networking opportunity: “I’m thrilled to have met so many exceptional wineries from Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia. The quality of their wines is outstanding, and being here in Belgrade at such a well-organized event has been a true pleasure.”
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With record-breaking attendance, enthusiastic participants, and strong leadership support, Wine Vision by Open Balkan is not just a fair&mdash;it’s a celebration of culture, commerce, and collaboration. It’s setting new standards for the wine industry and elevating the region on the global stage.
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Over 1,500 Business Deals Sparked at Wine Vision by Open Balkan 2024

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, with the support of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Belgrade, will organize a visit of a large Chinese business delegation to Serbia next spring, it was announced at a meeting between Marko Čadež, President of CCIS, and Li Ming, Ambassador of the PRC to Serbia, held on 20th November 2024.
During the meeting, both sides emphasized that further strengthening of economic cooperation is a top priority. In this context, the upcoming visit of the CCIS President to Beijing, participation in the China International Supply Chain Expo, and the inauguration of the Alliance of Chambers of Commerce of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC) were deemed significant.
"We aim to work closely with our colleagues from China to strengthen economic cooperation across all sectors, from ICT to agriculture and energy. We also look forward to hosting a major Chinese business delegation in Serbia next year and collaborating on concrete projects within the ‘Alliance of Ideas’ initiative, which Serbia proposed under the ILSTC Alliance of Chambers of Commerce," said Čadež.
He added that the goal of the "Alliance of Ideas" initiative is to connect Serbian companies, startups, and engineers with partners from all member countries of the ILSTC corridor.
The CCIS President emphasized that next year’s meeting of Chinese and Serbian businesses in Belgrade will also provide an opportunity for regional companies to establish connections with Chinese partners and work on the creation of joint-venture companies.
Li Ming, Ambassador of the PRC to Serbia, stated that enhancing trade cooperation remains a top priority for him. In the coming period, activities aimed at increasing the visibility of Serbian companies and products in China can be expected.

Čadež and Ming: Opening New Corridors for Serbian and Chinese Businesses

Serbia seeks much stronger cooperation with the United Kingdom and British companies. Our country, along with the entire Western Balkan region, has the potential to strengthen business connections and improve economic relations with this important global partner in key sectors ranging from ICT to energy.&nbsp;
Business associations and institutions will provide strong support to companies and entrepreneurs along this path, emphasized the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, Marko Čadež, the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, and UK Ambassador to Serbia Edward Ferguson at the opening of the Regional Conference on Trade between the UK and the Western Balkans.
"In our efforts to boost trade, services, tourism, and various social activities, we aspire to strengthen our relationship with the United Kingdom. As the world's sixth-largest economy and one of the leading political powers, it is a vital and reliable partner for us," stated President Vučić at the headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.
He underlined the goal of attracting more investors from the EU and the UK. Addressing British investors, Vučić assured them that Serbia has no issues with its public debt-to-GDP ratio, currently at 48.4%, and will not exceed 50% over the next three years according to the IMF and World Bank projections. "There are no problems regarding financing security or doing business with Serbia," Vučić stated confidently. He expressed optimism that Serbian businesses will find opportunities in the UK market and that British businesses will recognize Serbia as a competitive and high-quality source for their products, as well as for those from the entire Western Balkans region.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/MČ.Tan2024-11-2010003015_2_960x640.jpg" id="image-tag-1732114251779" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1352"></div>
Marko Čadež, the president of CCIS, noted that the future of cooperation between Serbia and the UK lies in the ICT and energy sectors. At the conference opening, attended by more than 220 participants, primarily from the ICT sector, Čadež described the event as a turning point in the economic relations between the two countries and the region.
"Our mutual trade exchange is not at a satisfactory level. I believe this is because we don't know each other well enough. If you buy blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries in the UK, know that they were grown here. If you drive a Land Rover, its ignition systems were made in Serbia. Advanced central heating boilers? Their key components are produced in Serbia," Čadež explained. He highlighted that Serbia's software exports to the UK exceed €1 billion, more than the total trade in goods.
He added that 500 UK-based companies operate in Serbia, showing significant interest in cooperation. Čadež emphasized that Serbia exports over €4 billion in software annually, making it the country's largest and most important export product, thanks to years of investment in digital infrastructure. Speaking on energy, Čadež said the future of collaboration lies in energy storage systems, given the growing demand for electricity.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/Tan2024-11-2010184544_5_960x640.jpg" id="image-tag-1732114285588" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1358"></div>
UK Ambassador Edward Ferguson noted that now is the right time to enhance trade relations between the UK and the Western Balkans. "The Western Balkan region is growing rapidly, with Serbia projected to lead in growth. Serbia has a fast-growing economy and affordable labor," Ferguson said. He emphasized the UK's strengths in information technology and green transition, praising CCIS for fostering regional partnerships and assuring British companies of the embassy's support in entering the Serbian market.
The conference aimed to identify business opportunities and initiate discussions with prominent business partners in strategic sectors. It provided a platform for representatives of the six Western Balkan chambers of commerce, united under the Chamber Investment Forum, to present the region’s collective potential to the UK business delegation. The event offered insights into key sectors such as IT, infrastructure, green energy, and the food industry through panel discussions. Regional experts and UK participants at CCIS had the opportunity to discuss plans and strategies for addressing new global challenges. Alongside plenary sessions, B2B meetings are also scheduled.
The conference was organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, the UK Embassy in Belgrade, the UK Department for Business and Trade, and the British-Serbian Chamber of Commerce.
Photo: Tanjug/Sava Radovanović

Great Opportunities for Stronger Economic Ties with the UK Economy: ICT and Energy Sectors in Focus

Patrick "Paddy" Cosgrave, the founder of Web Summit, the world’s largest tech conference, visited the Serbian pavilion in Lisbon and praised the efforts Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and it's president&nbsp;Marko Čadež made in promoting Serbian start-up community.&nbsp;
“Marko Čadež deserves great recognition for everything he has done for startups and the ecosystem,” Cosgrave stated.
He commended Serbia's organization at the summit and announced plans to visit Belgrade. “I believe we will meet again soon,” Cosgrave said.
He was particularly impressed by the innovation of Beeamond, a company producing beehives designed for home use. “I live on a farm and would love to get one. They seem like the perfect solution,” he added.
Marko Čadež and Serbian startups showcased innovations and solutions, further enhancing Serbia's visibility in the global tech industry.Sixty innovative startups had the opportunity to present their innovative ideas at the world's largest technology conference, Web Summit, held in Portugal from November 12th to 14th. The event brought together over 70,000 attendees and more than 1,000 investors from around the globe. More than 3,000 entrepreneurs from various industries showcased their innovations and ideas, offering a unique opportunity for global knowledge exchange.&nbsp;
Participation of the Serbian innovation community at the Web Summit was supported by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.

​Web Summit Founder: Recognition for Čadež’s Success in Boosting Serbia’s Startup Ecosystem

The President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Marko Čadež, announced today at the Web Summit in Lisbon, during the panel "Building a Balanced Economy," that Serbia is developing and will become one of the global centers for innovation."I see Serbia in the future as a much more developed European country, as one of the centers for innovation. We will host the specialized Expo 2027, which is a huge achievement for our country. It’s the first time an Expo will be held in our region. The main concept, with which we won the opportunity to host the exhibition, is ‘Play for Humanity,’” Čadež emphasized. He made this statement on one of the main discussion stages at the panel dedicated to strategies, best practices, and challenges associated with creating and maintaining a technological ecosystem. “We need to learn how to play again, and this is how our concept of ‘Play for Humanity’ evolves – for Expo 2027. We will have a lot to showcase at that time, not only us but the whole world,” added Čadež. “We are preparing, and I hope that together with the Web Summit, we will host one of the largest global hackathons for technology companies, where we will find or attempt to find new solutions,” the President of the Chamber of Commerce added. He noted that ten years ago, Serbia began heavily investing in the IT ecosystem, leading to several changes in the field, such as the introduction of programming in elementary schools. “Today, children from the age of eight in our elementary schools are required to learn a programming language each year,” said Čadež, highlighting that Serbia has also established a data center, equipped with a supercomputer, invested in infrastructure, and undertaken numerous other initiatives. He concluded by stating that the greatest challenge in today’s world is that we have yet to fully accept that innovation and technology are integral parts of our daily lives.