​Companies from Serbia and Business France Representatives Discuss Business Cooperation

Twenty Serbian companies from various sectors, ranging from construction and infrastructure to the IT industry, presented their business potential and plans for entering the French market to representatives of Business France, France’s leading agency for supporting the development of international business, which opened its office in Belgrade last night. The opening of the office confirms the French business community’s interest in intensifying cooperation with Serbia and the Western Balkans region, strengthening business ties, and developing new partnerships and investment projects.

Mihailo Vesović, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) for International Cooperation, announced that a strategic cooperation agreement between the CCIS and Business France would be signed at the French Senate on 30 November, laying the foundations for a long-term partnership aimed at further strengthening the economic relations between the two countries.

“This will establish a framework for a long-term partnership focused on further strengthening economic relations between Serbia and France,” Vesović emphasised.

He pointed to positive trends in the economic relations between the two countries, noting that bilateral foreign trade is expected to reach approximately EUR 2.5 billion by the end of the year. He added that the implementation of major strategic projects is also contributing to this growth.

Ivan Bošnjak, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, emphasised that, in addition to military-technical cooperation, Serbia and France are connected by significant infrastructure projects currently being implemented in Serbia.

“We have major projects in the construction sector. The largest of these is the construction of the Belgrade Metro, which has just begun and represents a decades-long dream of Belgrade’s citizens. French companies are supplying the entire electromechanical system and the metro trains,” Bošnjak said.

He added that there is considerable scope for cooperation in wastewater management and drinking water supply, where French companies can contribute their experience and expertise to addressing Belgrade’s wastewater treatment challenges.

Didier Boulogne, Deputy CEO for Export at Business France, said that opening the agency’s office in Serbia marked an important step towards strengthening economic ties between the two countries. Business France had not previously had an office in Serbia, and the new Belgrade office, staffed by a three-member team, will support the development of business relations and facilitate connections between companies.

“We believe there is significant potential for Serbian companies to invest in France, as well as to further develop their business operations in Serbia. Numerous projects and investments lie ahead, and our aim is to enable French companies to participate in them in partnership with Serbian businesses. We are confident that cooperation between France and Serbia is a winning combination and that, together, we can achieve significant results,” Boulogne said.

Photo and video: Boban Ristić