Mihailo Vesović, Director of the Sector for Strategic Analysis, Services, and Internationalization of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, and Nenad Đurđević, Advisor to the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, talked in Belgrade with US Senators Chris Murphy, Jeanne Shaheen, and Thom Tillis.
The main topics of the meeting were bilateral economic relations between the United States and Serbia, the business climate in our country, and the economic challenges of the conflict in Ukraine.
 
In a conversation with US senators, Vesović and Đurđević presented to the members of the US delegation the activities of the CCIS aimed at regional economic integration and emphasized their importance in the Western Balkans as well as the need to create preconditions for accelerating the integration of the entire region into the European Union.

CCIS Representatives with US Senators: The Importance of Regional Integration in the Western Balkans

President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Marko Čadež, met today with Professor Dr. Cédric Manara, Director of Copyright at Google. The discussion centered on one of today’s most pressing issues: how to protect copyright and safeguard creators’ work in the era of artificial intelligence.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/4-DSCF6798_960x640.jpg" id="image-tag-1757594050913" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1813"></div>
Čadež informed Professor Manara about the activities of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and its cooperation with global technology leaders, including Gitex Global and Web Summit.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/10-DSCF6779_960x639.jpg" id="image-tag-1757594037426" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1815"></div>
“I see that everything Google does, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce does as well,” emphasized Professor Manara, who took part in the Internet Dialogue 2025 conference at the Chamber, where he presented Google’s views and plans in the field of copyright. He also spoke about the impact of AI on competition law and copyright.
The conference was opened by Dr. Dušan V. Popović, Chair of the Organizing Committee, who underlined that the key topics to be addressed by this year’s participants include intellectual property law, competition law, trade law, internet domain names, and artificial intelligence. He also highlighted the establishment of the Association for Law and Technology, inviting conference participants to join the initiative.
Predrag Nikolić, Director of the Chamber’s Center for Digital Transformation, pointed out that working with digital technologies has shown how essential legal assistance is in the use of digital tools and services.
“The Center was founded with the idea of helping with the implementation and application of digital transformation. Now, 1,600 implementations later, I can confirm that legal assistance and presence have been absolutely necessary in each of them. Over the past eight years, we have managed to identify what kind of support our small and medium-sized enterprises need when adopting digital technologies,” Nikolić stated.
Speakers at conference also included Professor Thibault Schrepel from the University of Amsterdam and Stanford.
Special attention will be given to aligning domestic legislation with EU regulations – the Digital Services Act.
The conference on digital technology law is organized by the University of Belgrade – Faculty of Law and the Foundation “Serbian National Internet Domain Registry” (RNIDS), under the auspices of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and its Center for Digital Transformation.
Photo: Nikola Đorđević, CCIS

Manara: The Chamber Does What Google Does

Inflation, geopolitical tensions, and trade disruptions are strongly shaping corporate strategies, while the role of artificial intelligence in business continues to grow, according to Chamber Pulse 2025 – the flagship economic report of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the World Chambers Federation (WCF).
The report was presented at the 14th World Chambers Congress in Melbourne and is based on a survey covering 230 chambers of commerce from 110 countries, together representing around 90 percent of global GDP. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia also participated in the survey.
This year’s edition of ICC Pulse highlights a cautiously positive global economic environment, but also sharp regional differences. While tariff and inflation challenges dominate in North America, Europe, and Central Asia face a particular shortage of labor. In East Asia and the Pacific, geopolitical pressures are strongest, in Sub-Saharan Africa, businesses struggle with limited access to finance, while in South Asia, taxation represents a significant burden.
The survey shows that political and market uncertainty is increasingly replacing tariffs as the main challenge for businesses. As many as 74 percent of chambers cite uncertainty as the biggest obstacle, compared to 59 percent that still point to tariffs. Inflation remains a persistent factor – prices have risen in more than 90 percent of economies, with 39 percent reporting significant increases.
Companies are adapting with a range of strategies, primarily diversification of export markets, passing on or absorbing costs, and seeking alternative suppliers, while relocation of production remains a less frequent occurrence.
Particular attention was drawn to findings on the use of artificial intelligence. As many as 80 percent of chambers view this technology positively, and widespread adoption has grown to 22 percent, up from 16 percent in 2024. Asia leads in readiness to adopt AI solutions, although significant barriers remain in terms of skills shortages and limited access to data.
During the Congress, WCF also presented key initiatives to be implemented in the coming period. Among them are the Phoenix project, aimed at reviving multilateral trade, the digitalization of global trade through the ICC DSI program, and preparations for COP30, where business will play a significant role in climate and industrial investments.
The full Chamber Pulse 2025 report is available in Arabic, French, Spanish, Chinese, and Turkish at <a href="https://iccwbo.org/news-publications/policies-reports/chamber-pulse-global-markets-local-landscapes/">[link]</a>.

Chamber Pulse 2025: Major Global Challenges Shaping Corporate Strategies September 10, 2025

Organized by the Global Forum for Sustainable Development, with the support of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, Belgrade will host the international conference Sustainable Development Forum 2025: “Competitiveness in Turbulent Times” on October 30–31, 2025. The event will bring together leading experts, renowned professors, diplomats, and representatives of international institutions, banks, and companies investing in sustainability.
The Forum will address highly relevant and pressing topics, including trade in times of global uncertainty and strategies for countries to maintain economic stability. Discussions will also focus on the energy paradox&mdash;the balance between decarbonization, energy security, and competitiveness. Another key theme will be the role of artificial intelligence in driving sustainable innovation, as well as the risks it entails. Special attention will be given to food systems, food security, equity, and sustainability.
A particularly significant panel will feature the three chief negotiators of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)&mdash;David Donoghue, Csaba Kőrösi, and Macharia Kamau&mdash;diplomats who played a crucial role in shaping the 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
The conference will also host Professor Jeffrey Sachs, one of the world’s leading experts on sustainable development.&nbsp; Other speakers include:
Matilde Mordt, UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia
Jorge Laguna-Celis, Director of the One Planet Network at UNEP
Lord Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal and former President of the Royal Society
Michael Pollitt, Professor of Business Economics at the University of Cambridge
Lucia Reich, Director of the El-Erian Institute of Behavioural Economics and Policy
Khaled Soufani, Director of the Circular Economy Centre at the Judge Business School
Tracey Horn, Director of Communications and Marketing at the Judge Business School
The conference will feature bilateral talks, initiative presentations, and networking sessions, offering a unique opportunity for idea exchange among the public, private, and academic sectors.
The Sustainable Development Forum 2025 places Belgrade at the epicenter of the global debate on green transition and sustainability, while also providing domestic companies with the opportunity to showcase their solutions to the international community and establish new forms of cooperation.
For more information about the event and participation opportunities, please contact: office@sustainabledevforum.org

Belgrade to Host the Sustainable Development Forum 2025

The project of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) – Center for Digital Transformation (CDT) “SMEs support to Digital and AI transformation” was ranked among the top three at the World Chambers Competition, held in Melbourne within the framework of the 14th World Chambers Congress 2025. A total of 83 projects from 41 countries competed.
The World Chambers Competition represents the most prestigious global competition of chamber projects, and our project attracted significant interest among the Congress participants, emphasized Mihailo Vesović, Deputy President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.
The project “SMEs support to Digital and AI transformation” is available at the international level and adaptable to national frameworks and chambers.
It offers a structured and flexible methodology for supporting the digital transformation of the SME sector. The services are also available to foreign chambers and include the creation of national frameworks for SME digital transformation, as well as the training and certification of consultants.
Vesović added that the World Chambers Congress, held from September 2 to 4 in Melbourne, was an excellent opportunity for discussions with presidents and representatives of more than 100 chambers of commerce from around the world, as well as for presenting the Serbian economy and CCIS activities.
“We held a large number of bilateral meetings with representatives of chambers from Dubai, Qatar, Germany, the United Kingdom, and other countries on key development topics. At the Congress in Melbourne, we positioned Serbia as an important player in the global economy, technology, and innovation, whose voice should be heard,” said Vesović.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/14WCC_Express_215.jpg" id="image-tag-1757080215424" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1810"></div>
The participants of the 14th World Chambers Congress this year addressed global challenges such as international trade, geopolitical disruptions, investment readiness, sustainable energy transition, innovation, and digital transformation.
The World Chambers Congress is an initiative organized by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the World Chambers Federation (WCF), its organizational body. It is the largest and only international forum that enables chamber leaders and professionals to share best practices, exchange ideas, build networks, and address the most pressing issues affecting business communities.
Marko Čadež, President of CCIS, was elected in June by the votes of representatives of more than 120 chambers worldwide as a member of the General Council of the World Chambers Federation (ICC WCF).
This year’s congress in Melbourne gathered 1,200 participants from more than 100 countries. The previous congress was held in Geneva in 2023.
Serbia’s ICC membership spans more than a century. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia is a member of ICC and the founder of ICC Serbia. Our country is among those with the longest tradition of ICC membership – the world’s largest and oldest international chamber organization. Serbia became a member in 1923, while ICC Serbia (the National Committee of ICC in Serbia) was established in 1929. Today, ICC has 45 million members from 170 countries.

Innovative CCIS Project Among the Top Three at the World Chambers Competition in Melbourne

Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS), invited representatives of chambers of commerce from around the world today in Melbourne to support his proposal for the Regional Congress of World Chambers to be held in Belgrade in 2027, as part of the Specialized Exhibition EXPO 2027.
The CCIS delegation, led by Čadež, is in Melbourne attending the 14th World Chambers Congress 2025 (14WCC). As the CCIS President emphasized, his proposal received strong interest from colleagues.
“The essence of our presence here is to discuss with presidents of chambers of commerce worldwide about their participation in EXPO 2027, activities, and the potential for joint cooperation,” said Čadež. He added that the CCIS delegation had a large number of meetings with presidents of international business associations during the very first day. He highlighted the meeting with Xiao Sun, Secretary General of the China Chamber of Commerce, which focused on the participation of Serbian companies at the suppliers’ fair in Beijing in July this year, the opening of this association’s office in Belgrade, and activities within EXPO 2027.
In Melbourne, Čadež also signed a Cooperation Agreement with Aigars Rostovskis, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Latvia, and held bilateral meetings with colleagues from Ukraine, North Macedonia, and other countries.

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On the second day of the Congress, Čadež will take part in the inaugural meeting of the General Council of the ICC World Chambers Federation (WCF GC), of which he was elected a member in June this year by votes from chamber presidents from over 120 countries.
The World Chambers Congress is positioned as the most important event in the business community. On the third day of the event, September 4, the winner of the World Chambers Competition will be announced. Among the finalists is the CCIS project – the Digital Transformation Center’s "SMEs Support to Digital and AI Transformation". The project reached the finals in the category "Best Chamber Innovation Project", competing with 83 projects from 41 countries.
Other finalists in this category include: Business West (UK) with *Innovations in International Trade: Carnet Tracker and CarnetCheck, Ankara Chamber of Commerce (Turkey) with ATONET Smart Assistant (AI-powered chatbot), and Iran Chamber of Commerce with the project CHaCHa chatbot.
The main theme of this year’s Congress is *“Business, Chambers, Governments: Partners for Prosperity.”* Participants will address shared global challenges such as international trade, geopolitical disruptions, investment readiness, sustainable energy transition, innovation, and digital transformation.
The World Chambers Congress, launched and organized by the World Chambers Federation (WCF) and the International Chamber of Commerce, is the largest and only global forum that enables chamber leaders and professionals to share best practices, exchange ideas, expand networks, and address the latest business issues affecting business communities.
The first Congress was held in 1999 in Marseille, France, and has since been organized every two years in different regions of the world. It offers vast opportunities for networking and strengthening ties with chambers, businesses, and experts from around the globe.
This year’s Congress in Melbourne, from September 2–4, has brought together 1,200 participants from over 100 countries. The previous Congress was held in Geneva in 2023.

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Čadež at the World Chambers Congress: See You in Belgrade at EXPO 2027

The Free Trade Agreement between the Republic of Serbia and the Arab Republic of Egypt will come into effect on Monday, September 1, under which nearly 50 percent of agricultural products and 30 percent of industrial products will be exempt from customs duties, it was announced at the presentation of the agreement to businesses at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.
“The agreement is the result of years of negotiations and represents a historic moment in the economic cooperation of our two countries,” said Mihailo Vesović, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC05040_960x540.jpg" id="image-tag-1756802910553" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1799"></div>
According to him, in the first phase, the greatest liberalization will apply to agricultural products, including frozen fruit and apples. Full exemption from customs duties is expected gradually, over the next ten years, when more than 90 percent of agricultural and industrial products will be under a duty-free regime.
The agreement also brings simplified administrative procedures, certification, and a reduction of trade barriers. In addition, it opens space for new investments and joint ventures between Serbian and Egyptian companies, particularly for entering third markets, Vesović emphasized.
He added that Egypt represents an important gateway to the markets of Africa and the Middle East, and this agreement creates opportunities to increase Serbian exports to those regions.
The traditionally good political relations between the two countries, dating back to the time of the former Yugoslavia, have in recent years gained strong economic momentum, said Jagoda Lazarević, Minister of Domestic and Foreign Trade in the Government of Serbia.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC05140_960x540.jpg" id="image-tag-1756802963162" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1802"></div>
Lazarević thanked the institutions involved in the process, especially the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, which was a key partner, organized numerous business forums, and plans to open a representative office in Egypt, which will be of great importance to the economy.
The agreement not only opens the door for a wide range of Serbian products to one of the most promising African markets, but also benefits citizens through lower prices of imported goods, thanks to the elimination of customs duties. This is a concrete example of how international agreements can directly contribute to strengthening the economy and improving the living standards of our citizens, the minister added.
Serbia remains committed to expanding its economic partnerships, and today Egypt is one of our key strategic friends on the African continent, Lazarević concluded.
Serbia is the first country in the Balkans to sign a free trade agreement with Egypt. Negotiations began in June 2022, and Egypt’s Ambassador to Belgrade, Basel Salah, stressed that the agreement is the “crown of cooperation” between the two countries and expressed satisfaction at witnessing this historic moment.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC05065_960x540.jpg" id="image-tag-1756802993724" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1801"></div><div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC05013_960x540.jpg" id="image-tag-1756803008611" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1797"></div><div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC05052_960x540.jpg" id="image-tag-1756803021991" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1800"></div>

Free Trade Agreement Between Serbia and Egypt Enters into Force on September 1

The founder and president of the world’s largest tech fair, Gitex Global from Dubai, Trixie Loh Mirmand, along with the entire executive team of the fair, visited the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS).
Loh Mirmand was introduced to the capacities and potentials of Serbia and Belgrade, as our country will be the “partner country” at this year’s Gitex Global fair, which will take place in mid-October in Dubai.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC030032.jpg" id="image-tag-1754049232805" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1789"></div>
The Gitex Global team was also introduced to our technology and IT companies that are already collaborating with some of the world’s leading firms in this field.
President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Marko Čadež, said that Loh Mirmand and her team showed particular interest in the organization and capacity of Expo 2027, which will be held in Belgrade, as well as in the opportunities for cooperation.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC029962_960x540.jpg" id="image-tag-1754049244757" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1788"></div>
“Our main task was to find the best way to connect these two events. There is no doubt that a major world exhibition like Expo 2027 and the world’s largest technology fair, Gitex Global from Dubai, together can achieve great things,” Čadež emphasized.
He also pointed out that Serbia will be represented at this year’s Gitex Global with the largest number of companies so far, and that great news for Serbia’s economy is expected in October in Dubai.
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Čadež: Expo 2027 Serbia and Gitex Global Dubai Can Achieve Great Things

More than 500 meetings between Serbian and Chinese companies, an agreement to include Serbian goods on China's priority import list, a notable increase in Chinese interest in Serbian products, and numerous agreed joint projects between domestic and Chinese partners &mdash; all of this marks the success of the recent participation of Serbian companies at the China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing. The appearance was organized with the support of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) and the Development Agency of Serbia (RAS).<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/Kina 5.jpeg" id="image-tag-1754050009440" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1794"></div>
At the Beijing expo &mdash; one of the world’s most important events in logistics, intermodal transport, IT, and trade &mdash; 12 Serbian companies presented their offerings and established contacts with Chinese partners, including leading technology and trade giants, confirming that Serbia can be a strong player in global supply chains.
Marko Čadež, President of the CCIS, emphasized the importance of opening the Chinese market to Serbian products and services, highlighting specific steps taken:
“We agreed on key steps with the Chinese Customs Administration to accelerate certification and procedure alignment. Serbia has been placed on the priority list, which is strategically important for our exports,” Čadež said.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/Kina 2.jpg" id="image-tag-1754050020531" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1791"></div>
During his stay in China, Čadež met with the Vice President of the China Chamber of International Commerce, the leadership of the CIIE Expo, representatives of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, governors of several Chinese provinces, and addressed the International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC) Conference, of which CCIS is a co-founder along with 18 national chambers.
Excellent Results for Serbian Companies in China
Marko Dobočanin from Silver Bell Group reported more than 200 meetings, including talks with NSPUR and the Chinese Commerce Group, with plans to open a representative office in Chaoyang District:
“An excellent opportunity to connect Serbian and Chinese companies and continue growing our steel partnership.”
Milšped Group, which already operates in China, used the expo for high-level meetings, including with Shandong Group, Volvo Cars, Geely, and China Railways.
“We met with over 30 companies active in the EU market to discuss potential collaboration. We used this chance to invite all Chinese companies to come and invest in Serbia,” said Gojko Stanivuković from Milšped.
Serbian Wineries Ready for Large Markets Alongside companies, Serbian wineries BT Winery, Zvonko Bogdan, Lastar, and Deurić promoted their wines at the national pavilion. In the wine sector, BT Winery emphasized contact with Sam’s Club, Walmart’s division, which is interested in importing Serbian wines:
“Wine Vision helped us position ourselves on the global wine map. Exhibiting at events like this with such a professional booth boosts our international credibility,” said Milan Nastić from BT Winery.
Aleđo has held 40 meetings and is currently negotiating with potential Chinese partners, according to Snežana Obradović, who emphasized the importance of the Chinese market.
Jovana Stević from Intereuropa believes the expo appearance will contribute to business growth and innovation implementation, while her colleague Mišo Božić from AD Intereuropa added:
“This is just the beginning of our cooperation and presence in the Chinese market.”
ElevenEs, a company in the green technology sector, sees participation in the expo as an opportunity to showcase Serbian innovation to the world:
“Events like this show how much Serbia has to offer. The Serbian Chamber of Commerce helps ensure others see that too,” emphasized Zoltan Grišić from ElevenEs.
Other domestic companies &mdash; Umbrella, Fiscal Solutions, Bitgear, Largo, Nelt, and Bambi &mdash; also had a strong presence at the national booth, holding a series of successful meetings with international players&mdash;their goals: connecting with distribution chains, expanding business networks, and promoting Serbian products.
FACT: Chinese investments in Serbia have reached €5.5 billion in the past four years.

From Belgrade to Beijing: Domestic Products, Knowledge, and Quality in the Spotlight

The project "SMEs Support to Digital and AI Transformation" by the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIS) – Center for Digital Transformation (CDT), has been selected as a finalist of the 14th World Chambers Competition organized by the World Chambers Federation of the International Chamber of Commerce (WCF ICC). The winner will be announced on September 4 in Melbourne, during the WCF ICC World Chambers Congress.
The CCIS delegation will be led by Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber, who was recently elected to the General Council of the World Chambers Federation (GC WCF ICC) by representatives of more than 120 chambers worldwide.
The World Chambers Competition is the most prestigious global event recognizing innovative chamber projects. The CCIS–CDT project has advanced to the finals among 83 projects from 41 countries in the category of&nbsp;Best Chamber Innovation Project.
In the final round of this category, along with the CCIS project "SMEs Support to Digital and AI Transformation", are:
<ul>
<li>
The "Innovation in International Trade: Carnet Tracker and CarnetCheck” project by Business West from the United Kingdom,
</li>
<li>
The "ATONET Smart Assistant", an AI-powered chatbot by the Ankara Chamber of Commerce, Turkey,
</li>
<li>
and the "CHaCHa" chatbot by the Chamber of Commerce of Iran.
</li>
</ul>
The CCIS–CDT project offers a structured and adaptable methodology to support digital transformation of the SME sector internationally. The services provided by CCIS–CDT, which are also available to foreign chambers, include:
<ul>
<li>
creation of national frameworks for SME digital transformation,
</li>
<li>
training and ISO 17024-certified accreditation of digital transformation consultants,
</li>
<li>
development of comprehensive support programs for SMEs undergoing digitalization,
</li>
<li>
transfer of educational models from the Digital Academy,
</li>
<li>
provision of data analysis tools and impact monitoring,
</li>
<li>
and support for startup ecosystem development.
</li>
</ul>
These services enable the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and chambers worldwide to empower the SME sector, enhance digital skills, and develop sustainable innovation ecosystems based on a proven model from Serbia.
In addition to the Best Chamber Innovation Project category, chambers worldwide submitted entries in the following categories:
<ul>
<li>
Best Out-of-the-Box Project,
</li>
<li>
Best Green Transition Project,
</li>
<li>
Best Collaboration between Chambers, Business, and Government,
</li>
<li>
and Best Diversity and Inclusion Project.
</li></ul>

Innovative Project of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce Reaches Finals of Prestigious World Chambers Competition (WCF ICC) July 29, 2025

The participation of Serbian companies at the 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing&mdash;one of the most significant industrial events in China, Asia, and globally&mdash;has led to concrete business deals for Serbian entrepreneurs and opened new doors to the Chinese market and cooperation with large systems. The Chinese Customs Administration has placed Serbian goods on a priority list to accelerate certification and other necessary procedures, which is strategically important for our exports, stated Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS), from Beijing.
“These are extremely important days for Serbia’s economy. In just three days of the expo, our companies have held over 500 business meetings with Chinese partners, with some already establishing partnerships and finalizing deals. Serbian companies are entering the supply chains of major Chinese systems,” said Čadež.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC00984-2_960x639.jpg" id="image-tag-1753102042369" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1776"></div>
Logistics companies like Intereuropa Group, Milšped, and Nelt met with over 60 firms from the automotive and other industries to discuss service provision and integration into Chinese supply chains. “It seems we are on the verge of signing significant deals,” Čadež added.Belgrade-based Silver Bell Group, a leader in the BPO sector, is opening an office in Beijing after holding over 200 meetings.
Special attention was drawn to Bambi, which held a series of meetings with leading distributors and retail chains in China. It is expected that the “Plazma” brand, along with other Bambi products, will soon appear on shelves across the Chinese market.
“This would not have been possible without the Free Trade Agreement with China, which gives Serbia a unique advantage as one of the few European countries with such a deal. Following the strong political ties and friendship between Presidents Xi Jinping and Aleksandar Vučić, it is now time to solidify our economic relations,” emphasized Čadež.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC00856_960x639.jpg" id="image-tag-1753102055249" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1775"></div>
Serbia is already recording significant export growth to China, and Chinese investments in the Serbian economy have exceeded €5.5 billion over the past four years. To further strengthen Serbian exports and business cooperation, CCIS has signed an agreement with one of China’s leading consulting firms, which will provide free legal and technical support to Serbian companies interested in placing their products and services on the Chinese market.
“We also agreed on key steps with the Chinese Customs Administration for faster certification and procedural alignment. Serbia has been placed on a priority list, which is of strategic importance for our exports,” added Čadež.
He called on all Serbian businesses&mdash;regardless of size&mdash;to seize the opportunity and find their place in the Chinese market, noting that there are many chances and possibilities.
During his visit to China, the President of CCIS spoke at the conference of the International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC) Alliance, of which CCIS is a co-founder along with 18 national chambers. At the event, the Alliance’s new digital platform was launched, open to businesses worldwide, offering access to trade and logistics services across a corridor that connects 20 countries.
The CCIS delegation also visited the Internet 3.0 Metaverse Industrial Base within the Zhongguancun Internet 3.0 Industrial Park in Beijing, where cutting-edge technologies in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, energy, digitization, and Serbian innovations were presented.
A significant meeting was also held at the headquarters of COFCO Corporation (China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation), one of China’s leading state-owned conglomerates in the food industry and a member of the Fortune Global 500.
Additionally, an agreement was signed with Chaoyang District of Beijing&mdash;one of China’s key economic and innovation hubs&mdash;and discussions were held on opening a Beijing office of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) in Belgrade.
CCIS and the Development Agency of Serbia jointly organized the participation of 12 Serbian companies at the 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo, running until July 20. Wines from four Serbian wineries were also promoted. The Serbia Pavilion, covering 300 square meters, brought together leading Serbian companies from the sectors of IT, logistics, food industry, furniture manufacturing, and advanced technology solutions.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/WhatsApp Image 2025-07-17 at 09.42.11_960x540.jpeg" id="image-tag-1753102068172" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1774"></div>

Čadež: Serbian Goods on China’s Priority List

Over 100 businesspeople, institutional representatives, and associations from Serbia and Slovenia gathered in Ljubljana at the Slovenian-Serbian Business Forum, where participants confirmed a strong shared interest in strengthening cooperation and jointly entering third markets.
During the forum, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) and the Slovenian development agency SPIRIT Slovenia, aimed at reinforcing institutional cooperation and supporting the connection of companies and entrepreneurs. The memorandum was signed by Mihailo Vesović, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, and Tamara Zajec Balažič, Director of SPIRIT Slovenia. They emphasized that this agreement lays the foundation for long-term cooperation, information exchange, and joint implementation of international market projects.
Addressing the forum participants, Vesović underlined the strategic importance of cooperation with Slovenia, which enables increased competitiveness of companies and joint entry into third markets. He particularly highlighted the importance of forming clusters or consortia and jointly developing products with regional potential, drawing on good practices from the Benelux and Scandinavian regions.
"Our task is not to make final decisions but to establish dialogue – to identify complementary sectors and explore models of cooperation," stated the Vice President of the CCIS.
Tamara Zajec Balažič, Director of SPIRIT Slovenia, emphasized that Serbia and Slovenia are close in many aspects&mdash;not only due to historical, linguistic, and cultural ties, but also because of similar economic structures, export orientation, and entrepreneurial spirit.
“These shared foundations represent a strong basis for building successful partnerships and joint projects aimed at entering third markets, through which we can significantly enhance our international competitiveness and visibility. I am pleased that we further strengthened this partnership today by signing a memorandum with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia,” said Zajec Balažič.
She announced that further business matchmaking will take place in August at the AGRA fair, where SPIRIT Slovenia and the CCIS will organize a joint business event.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/520538312_1088910936730421_9153221076475320788_n_960x1280.jpg" id="image-tag-1753794013527" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1784"></div>
The working part of the forum included two panel discussions:
The first panel, titled "Support for Joint Market Entry – Internationalization Strategy", featured:
Ana Stojanović, Center for Africa and the Middle East, CCIS
Jernej Salecel, Director General of the Directorate for Industry, Economy, and Internationalization at the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport of Slovenia
Dejan Prešiček, Director of the Center for International Cooperation and Development (CMSR)
Gašper Jež, Direct Financing Specialist at SID Bank
The panelists emphasized the importance of institutional support for companies entering third markets, the availability of financial instruments, diplomatic backing, and opportunities for cooperation in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. They also stressed the need for targeted advisory support and easier access to existing support mechanisms, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The second panel, "On-the-Ground Experiences – Companies Conquering Third Markets", gathered representatives of companies who shared their experiences in internationalization and highlighted key success factors&mdash;ranging from understanding local conditions and perseverance to credibility and strategic partnerships.
Following the official part of the forum, B2B meetings and networking sessions were held between Serbian and Slovenian business representatives.
Participants rated the event as an important platform for building new partnerships, sharing experiences, and preparing for joint ventures in international markets.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/1000052999_960x640.jpg" id="image-tag-1753794030252" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1785"></div>

Support for Serbian and Slovenian Companies in Entering Third Markets

On the very first day of Serbia’s participation at the 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, interest in the Serbian pavilion was overwhelming, with over 100 B2B meetings held between Serbian and Chinese companies. Particularly noteworthy was the meeting with Mr. Yang Jiangbo, Vice President of Alibaba Cloud, where strategic cooperation was discussed, stated Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS).
"We discussed the development of cloud solutions in Serbia, as well as the possibility of Alibaba Cloud&mdash;one of the leading Chinese and global tech giants&mdash;setting up infrastructure in Serbia aimed at serving the entire European market. Alibaba Cloud is seriously considering Serbia as a location for infrastructure that would cover all of Europe," Čadež added.

"The high number of meetings and the concrete discussions taking place on the very first day demonstrate the depth and strength of the relationship between our two countries. The visit is exceeding all expectations, and we are already seeing direct results of the Free Trade Agreement between Serbia and China," said Čadež in a live broadcast on the Morning Program of the Serbian National Television (RTS).
He emphasized that Serbia’s presence and organization of its pavilion at this prestigious fair, along with increasingly intensive economic ties, are a confirmation of the excellent political relations between Presidents Vučić and Xi Jinping. “China sees Serbia not only as a unique market but also as a logistics hub for the whole of Europe. The Free Trade Agreement opens the door for a large number of Serbian companies to export to the Chinese market,” Čadež said.
He noted that Serbian companies showcasing their offerings in Beijing have already had or scheduled important meetings with leading Chinese partners.
Milšped, already operating in China, held talks with the Shandong Group about joint investments and partnerships in Serbia. They are also scheduled to meet with Volvo Cars and the Chinese railway company.
Bambi has held 23 meetings, mainly with major distributors, which is an important step toward placing Bambi’s products across the Chinese market.
Fiscal Solutions, a company specializing in digital fiscalization, is in talks with Alibaba and Starbucks China.
Umbrella, a company focused on digital weather forecasting, is in discussions with ExxonMobil, Federal China Express, and other major organizations.
"Serbian companies in China are meeting with the largest distribution networks and platforms such as Meikedaown. We are entering a new phase of cooperation&mdash;from food exports to machinery and electronics, and now to IT and digital services. Everything is in place for dynamic growth in our relations," Čadež added.
In addition to meetings with Chinese companies, the Serbian delegation is also holding discussions with Chinese customs authorities to expedite procedures for Serbian products and enhance the effectiveness of the Free Trade Agreement.
“We have strong cooperation with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and its chairman, Ren Hongbing, and receive 24/7 support. A memorandum of understanding will also be signed with a company providing logistics and legal support for Serbian SMEs,” he added.
The joint participation of 12 Serbian companies was organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and the Development Agency of Serbia. Wines from four Serbian wineries were also promoted. The 300-square-meter Serbian pavilion brought together leading Serbian companies from various sectors, including IT, logistics, the food industry, furniture manufacturing, and advanced technological solutions.

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