The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) will collaborate with Banque Publique d'Investissement (BPI), France’s leading investment bank, on projects supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, investments, infrastructure, and strengthening economic cooperation between Serbia and France.
This was confirmed by a Memorandum of Cooperation signed in Paris by Marko Čadež, President of CCIS, and Olivier Vincent, Executive Director for Export at BPI, in the presence of representatives from the French Tech Business Association and the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in France.
"Signing this Memorandum with France’s leading investment bank is not just a formality but a strategic move that can significantly contribute to the long-term development of Serbia’s economy and enhance the country’s international standing. The focus of cooperation will be on concrete projects, strengthening the SME sector, and fostering regional collaboration," Čadež stated at the signing.
Vincent emphasized that the agreement opens new opportunities for cooperation between Serbian and French businesses and research institutions. According to him, both parties can finance three-year projects with a total budget of up to €150,000 per project through the BPI France and EUREKA funding mechanisms.
The signatories agreed that BPI will be an important partner in supporting Serbian companies in innovation, knowledge transfer, industry, agriculture, and digitalization.
BPI represents the interests of entrepreneurs, primarily supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, as well as large companies and investment projects. Its support programs include easier access to favorable loans for Serbian businesses, as well as various types of training and education.
Through its cooperation with BPI France, Serbia has the potential to become a central hub for French investments in the region.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/41685448-57ef-4769-b612-8728bb00f596_960x1280.jpg" id="image-tag-1739438612962" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1454"></div>

Cooperation with BPI Opens Doors for French Investments in Serbia

One of Europe's leading political and business figures, Vladimir Dlouhý, president of Eurochambres, stated that if Europe were imagined as a company today, he would not invest in it&mdash;because such a "company" would be bankrupt.
Dlouhý made this remark in the show Čadež Talk, hosted by Marko Čadež, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS), which aired on Euronews Serbia. He was responding to a metaphorical question posed by Čadež, who asked him to describe the state of Europe's economy based on his experience in business and politics, and whether he would invest his own money in "Company Europe" today.
In the program, Dlouhý analyzed the current economic situation in Europe and globally, emphasizing the importance of integrating the Western Balkans into Europe's economic structure. He stressed that this process is not just about EU membership but also about regional cooperation, meeting candidate obligations, political decisions, and Europe's security.
The political veteran clarified that his sharp assessment of "Company Europe" should be taken with caution, as "one cannot compare running a country with running a company or corporation."
"Many people now feel that traditional politicians have failed to meet their expectations and increasingly believe that individuals like Elon Musk could make administration more efficient. I am very reserved about that. Politics cannot be reduced to signing contracts, while corporate business is based on concluding agreements, generating profit, and competition. A good politician must have a long-term strategy that sometimes contradicts short-term deals," explained the president of Eurochambres, an organization representing the interests of chambers of commerce from 38 countries, including Serbia.
Dlouhý added that if the same metaphorical framework were applied to the U.S., China, and Europe, the first two "companies" are performing better than Europe. However, he pointed out that other regions, such as India, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, also play significant roles in the global economy.
He attributed Europe's sluggish productivity and lack of competitiveness to decisions made decades ago and to flawed strategies, particularly the "overregulation of its business environment."
Responding to Čadež's observation that Europe is currently lagging in innovation and investment and that decision-makers are not addressing reality in the best way, Dlouhý agreed but noted that Europe is redefining its fundamental principles, a process that many countries have yet to fully grasp:
"Due to our insistence on a post-war welfare model and social structure, combined with the Green Deal and ESG regulations, we have overburdened our entrepreneurs and hindered rapid development. Europe must become much less restrictive when it comes to regulation, but the big question is&mdash;how?"
Dlouhý further noted that there is a "disconnect" between decision-makers and the business sector, calling it a structural issue. He emphasized the need to reassess the goals and implementation speed of the Green Deal, as well as the relationship between the European Commission and national governments.
"We need to rethink the entire decision-making process among the 27 EU member states. This will take a decade or two, but we must start now, or we will lose our connection with the more developed parts of the world."
Discussing the economies of the Western Balkans, Dlouhý firmly stated that the region must find a way to integrate into Europe's economic framework. This is not merely a question of membership, he said, but a process that requires time for candidate countries to fulfill their accession obligations and for the region to enhance internal cooperation.
"The best way for institutions like Eurochambres and its president to contribute to mitigating these risks and facilitating the integration of Western Balkan countries&mdash;if not directly into the EU, then at least into the single market&mdash;is by helping to establish deeper business ties," Dlouhý explained. He acknowledged that political issues must be resolved, but noted that these are not within his authority to comment on.
When asked by Čadež what kind of Europe he would like his grandchildren to inherit in 20 years, the president of Eurochambres said he hopes Europe will be different by then, with some of the necessary processes he mentioned&mdash;those requiring one or two decades&mdash;already completed:
"I hope for a Europe with fewer regulatory burdens, where cooperation in key areas, such as the capital market, is strengthened and freed from unnecessary rules and governance models that have hindered productivity and competitiveness in the past."
Above all, he emphasized that he wishes for his younger, one-year-old grandson to live in a Europe and a world at peace. "People may not realize it because there are no active battles on European soil, but Europe is, in essence, at war," he concluded.<div class="video-container"><iframe width="100%" height="380" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/b2qF6gcLx_w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

Čadež and Dlouhý: What Kind of Future Is Europe Leaving for Its Children?

Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS), is visiting Paris. Today, together with Jelena Begović, Minister of Science, he held discussions at the Serbian Embassy with Gila Gamliel, Israel’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, regarding cooperation and joint projects, particularly in the fields of agritech and cybersecurity.
"Israel ranks third in the world in investments in modern technologies, and we are ready to learn, develop, and support new ideas. CCIS, together with companies and in cooperation with the Ministry of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation, will visit Israel to exchange knowledge and experiences and discuss concrete business opportunities and support for innovation and technological development," Čadež emphasized. He recalled the numerous activities of the CCIS office in Jerusalem, which focus on strengthening economic ties and cooperation in modern technologies and startup development between the two countries.
The CCIS president stressed the importance of creating opportunities for young people to test their inventions in real-world environments, as this is essential for building a true innovation ecosystem.
"We want to focus on specific areas, particularly agritech and cybersecurity. Young people have ideas, but they lack the means to realize them. We need your help to understand how you have improved this process, especially considering the rapid changes happening on a weekly basis," Čadež said during his conversation with the Israeli Minister of Science.
Minister Begović expressed expectations for increased cooperation with Israel in the future, particularly in innovation. Minister Gamliel noted that Israel and Serbia share a common vision of a future based on science and technological development.
"I am pleased that we have opened important topics today that will enhance our cooperation and enable the exchange of knowledge and experiences between our innovation ecosystems," Gamliel said. She also highlighted Israel’s development of specialized AI programs in education.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/PHOTO-2025-02-09-15-54-29_960x638 (1)1.jpg" id="image-tag-1739177806293" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1451"></div>

Čadež: We Can Learn a Lot from Israel in Innovation and Education

Four major international accelerators, invited by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) and the SEE UP accelerator, are on a three-day visit to Serbia to gain deeper insight into local projects and investment opportunities.
Top management representatives from Founders Factory, Alchemist Accelerator, Tenity, and Startupbootcamp Italy engaged in a constructive discussion with Marko Čadež, President of CCIS, exploring investment possibilities in Serbia’s rapidly growing innovation startup ecosystem, which is setting new business standards with cutting-edge solutions.
The discussion focused on identifying key sectors and promising projects that could receive strategic funding, further strengthening the country’s existing innovation potential.
Internationally recognized accelerators, with extensive experience across various industries, also contribute to assessing the potential of Serbia’s startup ecosystem. A young and dynamic entrepreneurial community, supported by modern infrastructure and a stimulating business environment, fosters technological advancement and innovation.
Interest in local startups confirms that Serbia is an attractive destination for high-tech investments. Through open dialogue and knowledge exchange, international connections are strengthened, paving the way for future joint projects.

​Global Accelerators Interested in Investing in Serbia

The General Assembly (GA) of the Association of Balkan Chambers (ABC) was held in Skopje, bringing together presidents and representatives of the chambers of commerce from ten member countries of this significant business network: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Turkey. The session featured a presentation on the specialized exhibition EXPO Belgrade 2027 and the opportunities this event offers to the economies of the Balkans.
Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), Vice President of Eurochambres, and Chairman of the World Chambers Federation (ICC), also met with the representatives of the Balkan chambers. He emphasized the crucial importance of cooperation among Balkan countries for developing the entire Southeast European region.
As highlighted at the ABC General Assembly, significant opportunities exist for collaboration among regional economies in infrastructure connectivity, mutual and joint investments, and forming business consortiums that can co-produce and present unified market approaches at local, regional, and global levels.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/IMG_7386_960x540.jpg" id="image-tag-1738577964794" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1445"></div>
Digitalization and Education as Key Drivers
Beyond strong infrastructure links, the development of the ICT sector and the digitalization of traditional industries are essential for better economic integration and the full utilization of each economy’s potential, as well as the entire area covered by the ABC chambers. Equally important is workforce development through aligning educational systems with market demands and modern labor trends.
This year, the Montenegrin Chamber of Commerce took over the ABC presidency from North Macedonia.
Before the ABC General Assembly, the Sixth Session of the National Export Council of the Government of North Macedonia was held at the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia, presided over by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and Chamber President Branko Azeski. During the session, the Export Institute, operating within the Chamber, was officially inaugurated.
Three Decades of the Association of Balkan Chambers
Since its establishment in 1994, the Association of Balkan Chambers has been dedicated to strengthening economic ties among member states, removing administrative and business barriers, supporting the CEFTA agreement, fostering new bilateral and multilateral partnerships, and increasing trade and investment flows.
Serbia maintains intensive economic cooperation with most ABC member states, hosting multiple major business events annually, involving hundreds of companies and thousands of B2B meetings.
For the first nine months of 2024, Serbia’s total trade volume with ABC member countries reached €10.4 billion. Serbian exports to ABC countries exceeded €6 billion, accounting for 27.45% of Serbia’s total exports worldwide during the period. Imports from ABC member countries amounted to €4.4 billion, representing 15.33% of Serbia’s total imports, as reported by Tatjana Maksimović Vujisić, Head of the Center for Multilateral Cooperation at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS).
Serbia recorded a trade surplus of €1.7 billion with ABC member states in the first nine months of 2024, achieving a positive balance in trade with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Romania, while registering a deficit with Turkey and Greece, Maksimović Vujisić added. The ABC region boasts over 130 million consumers.
Regional Cooperation and Trade Facilitation
 Discussing the improvement of regional cooperation through infrastructure connectivity, Maksimović Vujisić reminded the GA participants of a joint initiative proposed by Marko Čadež, President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, and Luka Burilović, President of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce. The initiative urges national governments and the European Commission to adopt urgent measures to accelerate and facilitate the movement of goods at border crossings between the EU and the Western Balkans within the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region.
Following the adoption of this initiative by the Board of Directors of the Forum of Adriatic-Ionian Chambers, it was also included on the agenda of the 9th EUSAIR Forum in Šibenik. A key outcome was the establishment of a Working Group within the Forum to address cross-border trade challenges, which has been active since January 2025. The group is advocating with the European Commission for swift solutions to border-related trade bottlenecks between the Western Balkans and EU member states, Maksimović Vujisić noted.
The PKS delegation attending the ABC General Assembly also included Marija Borota, Advisor to the President of PKS.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/IMG_7388_960x540.jpg" id="image-tag-1738577954681" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1447"></div>

General Assembly of Balkan Chambers: EXPO 2027 Offers Great Opportunities for Regional Economies

The fourth major Serbia-Italy business forum in the past 14 months will be held today in Belgrade, gathering over 500 businesspeople, representatives of more than 200 Italian and 250 Serbian companies from nearly all economic sectors, ranging from agri-food production to ICT and energy, announced Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS).
Speaking on Radio Television of Serbia, Čadež expressed confidence that Serbia’s trade exchange with Italy will reach five billion euros by the end of the year.
"More than half of the Italian companies attending the forum come from the services, ICT, logistics, and energy sectors, especially renewable energy sources. Italy is among our most important trading partners. I believe we will close the year with a trade exchange of five billion euros," Čadež stated, saying that Italian companies have so far invested over four billion euros in Serbia.
He explained that Italian and Serbian companies cooperate well because both economies are largely comprised of small and medium-sized family businesses. Serbian firms can learn a lot from their Italian counterparts, particularly about the transfer of family businesses to younger generations.
"We are at a generational turning point. Italy has mastered the process of passing down family businesses from generation to generation, enabling them to grow from small to medium-sized enterprises and integrate more quickly into international supply chains," Čadež emphasized.
He highlighted joint projects between Serbian and Italian companies in agriculture, infrastructure, logistics, and energy, while also stressing the strategic importance of the port of Trieste for the Serbian economy.
"When you have strong political relations, as Serbia and Italy have enjoyed for years, you can work on strategic projects," the CCIS president noted.
Čadež expects a significant number of B2B meetings between Serbian and Italian business representatives today and underlined the importance of planned panel discussions focusing on finance, ICT technologies, and agriculture.
He also pointed out that Italy recognizes the significance of the Western Balkans as a priority in its foreign policy and economic diplomacy. Italy has been a strong advocate for Serbia and the region’s integration into the European single market and the European Union.

Business Forum in Belgrade: A Turning Point in Serbia-Italy Cooperation

The international hospitality and hotel services fair, "GAST EXPO 2025", kicked off today in Ljubljana. Organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS), nine Serbian distilleries are showcasing their products at this prestigious event.At the CCIS stand, the following brands are presenting their rakijas: "Akov," "Blagojević," "Hubert 1924," "Momirović," "Porečje Vučje," "Potpis," "Gorda," "Korušac," and "Podrum Pevac." Renowned Serbian sommelier Ilija Malović will hold a special presentation on Serbian rakijas for Slovenian importers, distributors, retailers, and the HORECA sector.
The 18th International Hospitality and Hotel Services Fair "GAST EXPO 2025" runs until February 1, as part of the 35th Alpe Adria Tourism Fair at the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre. This event is the largest HORECA fair in Slovenia, featuring numerous producers and suppliers of beverages, coffee, desserts, catering, and hotel equipment, along with major distribution chains in the country (https://www.gast.si/).
The fair has a strong tradition and attracts more than 20,000 visitors annually from Slovenia, the region, and across Europe. It is held just before the start of the tourist season, making it an ideal opportunity for businesses to plan their procurement for the upcoming season. This year, around 500 exhibitors are expected to participate.
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Serbian Brandy at the "GAST EXPO 2025" in Ljubljana

This year, Serbian companies from various sectors, ranging from the food industry to IT, will showcase their products and services at some of the world's most prestigious fairs across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The goal is to increase exports, connect with international partners, and stay informed about the latest advancements in their respective industries. Organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) and the Development Agency of Serbia, Serbian food industry representatives will participate in February fairs such as PRODEXPO in Moscow and GULFOOD in Dubai. In March, they will travel to Japan to attend FOODEX in Tokyo.March also includes participation in the IT-focused EMBEDDED WORLD fair in Nuremberg and the BANJA LUKA EXPO general trade fair. April is reserved for the VINITALY International Wine Fair in Verona and the International Trade Fair in Mostar. In May, companies will present at THE SAUDI FOOD SHOW in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the LONDON WINE FAIR, and the PLMA Private Label Trade Show in Amsterdam. Serbia's gaming industry will participate in GAMESCOM in Cologne, Germany, in late August, while October will feature representation at the leading global tech event GITEX GLOBAL in Dubai and the ANUGA food fair in Cologne. In November, Serbian companies will attend four international fairs, including two in Shanghai, China&mdash;China International Import Expo (CIIE) and PROWINE SHANGHAI&mdash;along with PLMA CHICAGO in the United States and AGRITECHNICA in Hanover, Germany. The fair calendar traditionally concludes with the International Trade Fair in Tirana. Participation in international fairs provides a crucial opportunity for domestic companies to expand their business, improve competitiveness, and establish connections with partners from various countries. These events not only boost exports but also strengthen global recognition, international positioning, and brand awareness for Serbian businesses. Fairs are ideal platforms for direct communication with potential buyers and partners, exploring industry trends and advancements, and exchanging knowledge and experiences, all of which contribute to business growth. This emphasizes Jovanka Ćalina, Head of the CCIS Trade Fair Center. She explains that the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, in collaboration with the Development Agency of Serbia, organizes national pavilions at leading global fairs to represent the Serbian economy collectively, offering significant advantages. "National pavilions we organize are an efficient format. We save companies time and money by handling the entire participation process, which takes at least six months for each fair, sometimes even longer. Companies need to prepare well for showcasing their products and services at the national pavilion, with one of the most important aspects being to inform potential partners about their attendance in advance and schedule meetings," added Ćalina.
Among the most sought-after fairs are ANUGA in Cologne, SIAL in Paris (held every other year), PLMA in Amsterdam, and GULFOOD in Dubai. In recent years, the China International Import Expo in Shanghai has also gained significant attention. The Free Trade Agreement with China has further spurred Serbian companies' interest in exporting to this market, noted the CCIS representative. Deals Worth €88 Million Signed Last Year In 2024, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia organized participation in 25 international fairs, including 20 in collaboration with the Development Agency of Serbia. At these global events, 362 Serbian companies showcased their offerings. A total of 65 contracts were signed with international partners, with the anticipated value of export deals reaching nearly €88 million.

Serbian Economy at International Fairs from Tokyo to Chicago

Serbia is one of the few European countries that has been recording a drastic increase in the participation of startups at the world’s largest technology fair, Web Summit, held in Lisbon, year after year.
This was the reason why the founder, CEO, and co-owner of Web Summit, Patrick (Paddy) Cosgrave, along with his team and in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS), visited Belgrade to learn about the potential of Serbia's innovative ecosystem and startup community.
“We’ve seen a fantastic growth in the number of startups coming from Serbia, so I just had to come and see what’s happening here. I wanted to meet these people in person and find out what’s going on in your country! I knew Serbia had one ‘alien,’ the great Novak Djokovic, and now I see you have an incredible number of highly innovative people and companies,” Cosgrave said at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.
The President of CCIS, Marko Čadež, introduced Cosgrave to the full range of opportunities Serbia offers for the development of startups and innovative companies, as well as the country’s capabilities and capacity to host major events.
“We’ve shown you what Serbia can do, what the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia can do, and that we want even greater and more meaningful cooperation with Web Summit,” Čadež said.
During his visit, Patrick Cosgrave also met with the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, to discuss potential collaboration. “It’s incredible how much information and data this man has in his head and how focused he is during conversations,” Cosgrave said after his meeting with the Serbian President.
The discussions and meetings between the leaders of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and Web Summit, which organizes conferences in Lisbon, Rio, Vancouver, and Qatar, will continue with the aim of establishing a strategic partnership.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/3b86e706-961e-4b49-a46d-88890f5d12ed_960x639.jpg" id="image-tag-1737726518777" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1438"></div>

Web Summit Leader in Belgrade and CCIS

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) will open its first representative office in Africa this year, specifically in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, announced Marko Čadež, the president of the CCIS, after a meeting with Badr Abdel Aty, Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs.

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Čadež highlighted Serbia's long-standing good relations with the Egyptian economy but emphasized that a completely new cooperation era is ahead of us. "The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia intends to open its first official office in Africa, in Cairo. We have ten offices worldwide but none on the African continent. Many major companies are working with us to prepare this endeavor in the best possible way, ensuring Serbian companies have access to this market while making it easier for Egyptian companies to find partners in Serbia," Čadež stated. He mentioned that several projects by Serbian companies in Egypt are already underway, such as "Neomedica," which has started trial production of hematological reagents, and "Sigma," which expects to open its factory soon. Additionally, a Serbian company specializing in agro mechanics plans to set up facilities in Egypt, along with others. This progress is made possible by the Free Trade Agreement, which, according to Čadež, will be ratified by the Serbian Parliament by the end of February. "The eagerly awaited news that the Free Trade Agreement will be ratified, having been approved by both governments and now in the ratification process, is expected by the end of February. This allows us to move to a new level of cooperation. Our major companies are ready, as are Egypt's, not just for trade but for joint projects as well," Čadež added.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/20250122_163918.jpg" id="image-tag-1737623586233" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1434"></div> Today, the CCIS hosted talks between the Egyptian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Abdel-Aty, and representatives of about 30 Serbian companies to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries. Egypt's Foreign Minister, Badr Abdel-Aty, remarked that "the sky's the limit" for cooperation between the two economies. "There is immense potential in both Serbia and Egypt for collaboration in areas such as investments, joint ventures, construction, the IT industry, artificial intelligence applications, agriculture, and food processing," said Abdel-Aty. He also announced Egypt's active participation in "Expo 2027" in Belgrade. He stated that 2025 will be a great year for cooperation between Serbia and Egypt, bringing significant developments in trade, investment, and the economy. According to him, the Free Trade Agreement will increase bilateral trade volume by over 400% after it comes into force. Additionally, the 19th session of the Joint Economic Committee is expected in the second half of the year, which will further enhance trade and economic relations. Abdel-Aty also announced a visit by a large delegation of Serbian companies to Egypt, led by Serbia’s Prime Minister Miloš Vučević.
At the event, Jagoda Lazarević, Assistant Minister for Economic Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, spoke about opportunities for cooperation between Serbian and Egyptian businesses. She is expected to take over the role of Minister of Trade soon.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/20250122_171201.jpg" id="image-tag-1737623572882" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1435"></div>

Čadež: CCIS to Open First Representative Office in Africa, in Cairo

Global challenges such as geopolitical tensions, the energy crisis, and market fragmentation will shape the business environment in 2025, said Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS), emphasizing that Serbia is an ideal location for opening new production facilities. He also announced that CCIS will introduce modern technological tools this year to support Serbian businesses and enhance their operations.
Čadež told Tanjug that Serbia's opportunity lies in new economic movements, particularly in investments, as companies from Asia and the U.S. seeking to maintain a presence in Europe will need to establish production facilities on the continent. He highlighted Serbia as a prime location for setting up production plants with cutting-edge products from other continents.
"The technological revolution we are experiencing is the most intense in the past 50 years. We are witnessing market fragmentation, and we can expect even more intense competition between the three major players&mdash;the U.S., China, and Europe&mdash;regarding tariffs and customs restrictions. Each region is implementing new protective measures to safeguard its economy, which will present new challenges in maintaining competitive supply chains and securing market presence," Čadež explained.
He emphasized that these trends present an investment opportunity for Serbia, as companies from Asia and the U.S. will need to produce in Europe to maintain their presence there.
According to Čadež, Serbia and the wider region are ideal locations for this, serving as a hub for new production facilities featuring state-of-the-art products from other continents.
"We are already seeing this trend in the inflow of foreign investments. While EU companies still dominate in the number and volume of investment projects, there has been a significant rise in investments from Japan, South Korea, China, and the U.S. The stagnation of European investments is partly linked to the economic situation in Europe. We will see how things develop in 2025, but I believe we will witness increased investments from regions such as Asia, particularly Japan, China, and Korea, as well as the U.S.," he noted.
He added that this does not mean there will be no investments from Europe. On the contrary, as European companies face increasing competition, particularly in manufacturing, they will also look for opportunities in Serbia.
"In EU countries, energy costs are up to three times higher than in Serbia. We are already seeing production facility closures in key industrial nations such as Germany, with new facilities opening in other parts of the continent. Serbia will be an attractive destination in this regard, just as it was in 2024, which ended with record-high foreign investments," Čadež stated.
Digital Services and Technological Innovations by CCIS
Speaking about CCIS's digital services for Serbian businesses, Čadež emphasized the chamber’s goal to become more modern and technologically advanced, focusing on innovation and a new approach to engaging with its members. This includes existing tools such as the digital assistant, as well as new services currently in development.
"Early this year, we will introduce a digital export catalog that will, for the first time, compile all Serbian exporters in one place, providing details on what they export, which markets they serve, and the certifications they hold. Using new technologies, anyone from anywhere in the world will be able to explore and identify what Serbian companies have to offer," he explained.
CCIS is also working on the introduction of "digital agents"&mdash;knowledge databases based on artificial intelligence (AI) platforms developed with CCIS's expert teams. These agents will provide practical knowledge for daily business operations, tailored to specific industries.
"For example, a bakery owner will be able to use such an agent to manage inventory, sales, production planning, ingredients, new recipes, and even expansion into new product lines," Čadež elaborated.
"Today, when people think of AI, they mostly associate it with ChatGPT and similar global platforms. What we are doing is transforming this technology into tools&mdash;let's call them agents&mdash;that are user-friendly and can be accessed via mobile or computer, regardless of the industry," he added.
CCIS is also launching a B2B marketplace to connect suppliers and buyers within Serbia better and provide opportunities for businesses to expand into international markets.
"The essence of all these initiatives is to reorganize CCIS, focus on project-based teams, and advocate for the interests of businesses," Čadež explained.
Economic Diplomacy and International Presence
 CCIS will continue its role in economic diplomacy, connecting Serbian businesses with global leaders, as demonstrated at the Web Summit in Lisbon last November.
"We call this approach innovative economic diplomacy. Serbia has a strong knowledge base and skilled professionals capable of developing new technological solutions. While we may not have the most advanced technological infrastructure, we excel in creating practical applications that benefit traditional industries. This is what we want to promote," Čadež emphasized.
He noted that Serbia was the most prominent country at the Web Summit in Lisbon, the world's largest tech conference, where it had its own Serbian Island and National Pavilion for the first time.
Serbia has now entered a strategic partnership with the Web Summit and will participate in upcoming events in Qatar and Vancouver.
"The same happens with the world's largest technology fair, Gitex Global in Dubai, where we have established a long-term partnership. Over the next five years, we will work together on events in Belgrade and ensure Serbian companies are well-represented at their global events. In addition, we have Berlin coming up. The entire 2025 will be dedicated to positioning Serbia as a destination where new solutions are developed, where technology is well understood, and where it is transformed into real business solutions valuable to major corporations and traditional industries," Čadež emphasized.
Beyond the Web Summit and Gitex Global, CCIS is also collaborating with the Techstars network, which will work with CCIS in Serbia to accelerate the growth of startups and innovative companies across the region.
Serbia’s First Startup Factory: Tesla Venture Studio
Discussing the first startup factory in Serbia, Čadež noted that CCIS refers to it as a "scale-up factory"&mdash;a platform for scaling up small innovative companies.
"This applies to both startups and existing companies that need better collaboration with large traditional industries. The goal is to demonstrate that their solutions are not only innovative but also commercially viable," he said.
CCIS is leveraging its Center for Digital Transformation to bridge the gap between innovators, startups, and traditional industry leaders across various sectors such as agribusiness, food production, and finance.
"This is why we are establishing the scale-up factory, with Tesla Venture Studio being just one of the channels for this initiative," Čadež concluded.

Čadež: Serbia is Ideal for Opening New Production Facilities, Preparing New Technological Tools for the Economy

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.