Opportunities for Stronger Ties with Shanghai’s Economy

A meeting on enhancing economic and trade cooperation between Serbia and China (Shanghai) was held on September 17, 2025, at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, on the occasion of a visit by a business delegation from Shanghai. The meeting was attended by 16 companies, and two important Memoranda of Understanding were signed – between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce, as well as between the Development Agency of Serbia and the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce.

The delegation included representatives of the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce (CCPIT-CCOIC Shanghai) and seven Chinese companies operating in the fields of the metal industry, information technologies, green industry, and services. The delegation was led by Mr. Yang Dongsheng, Vice Chairman of the Shanghai Council for the Promotion of International Trade and President of the Shanghai International Chamber of Commerce.

During the meeting, two important Memoranda of Understanding were signed – between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce, as well as between the Development Agency of Serbia and the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce. These documents represent a new incentive for strengthening institutional cooperation and will enable future collaboration in trade to increasingly focus on innovation, high technology, science, and research and development projects, as well as on a stronger presence of Chinese investors in Serbia.

The meeting was attended by nine Serbian companies that presented their capabilities and interest in cooperation with Chinese partners. As part of the visit, the Chinese delegation also toured the Belgrade Science and Technology Park, where they had the opportunity to learn about the development of Serbia’s IT sector and startup ecosystem.

Cooperation between Serbia and Shanghai has a long tradition. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and the Development Agency of Serbia regularly organize the participation of Serbian companies at prestigious events in this city, such as the China International Import Expo (CIIE) and the Prowine Shanghai fair, where Serbian companies will again present their products this November. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia also has its own representative office in the People’s Republic of China, based in Shanghai, which further facilitates continuous cooperation and communication with Chinese partners.

The symbolic strength of these relations is also reflected in the twinning agreement between the cities of Belgrade and Shanghai, as well as in the fact that Shanghai hosted the World Expo in 2010, while Belgrade will host the Specialized World Expo in 2027 under the slogan “Play for Humanity – Sport and Music for All.” These events further connect the two cities and herald new chapters in cooperation.