After years of steady growth, community development, and many success stories, Serbia is for the first time present at Gamescom (Cologne, Germany)&nbsp;&nbsp;as a country, as a “national” ecosystem of game development and creative-tech companies and stakeholders.
Get to know&nbsp;Serbian gaming companies and developers who will be present at the world's largest gaming fair. Click here for the catalog&nbsp;<a href="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/Serbia-at-Gamescom-2023-catalogue.pdf">Serbia-at-Gamescom-2023-catalogue.pdf</a>&nbsp; 
Find out more about the Serbian gaming industry&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://sga.rs/en/serbia-at-gamescom-2023/">http://sga.rs/en/serbia-at-gam...</a>

SERBIA AT GAMESCOM 2023!

Representatives of the business communities of all the Western Balkan economies have been clearly saying for the past eight years that the EU and the USA should make more efforts to stabilize and normalize relations between Belgrade and Pristina, that they are looking for a region without barriers in doing business and a new, faster inclusion model of the region in the economic structure of the European Union,&nbsp; said Marko Čadež, the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia. Otherwise, neither the region nor the European Union will survive, said Čadež at the Business Forum "Phasing in the Single Market as a Potential for the Growth of the Western Balkans", which was held as part of the Berlin Process in Tirana. In the context of current events in Kosovo and Metohija, Čadež warned that it was increasingly difficult for companies to do business and operate." Between the two conferences, we no longer hope that something will get better, but we are only hoping that it will not aggravate when it comes to politics. And we see that the situation can be even more complicated, complex, and difficult for the economy. Although our companies, regardless of whether they are from Pristina, Peć, Kragujevac, Belgrade, Banja Luka, or Sarajevo, have been working together for a long time, it is more and more difficult to survive, if you have all these restrictions imposed by politics. We can no longer be a part of an event unless we can hear that something will change for real, and this is becoming increasingly rare," Čadež said.As an example of businesses from the region that are losing competitiveness, Čadež cited a distillery from Serbia, which has 20 percent higher export costs because it is not from the EU. "So, at the very start, we can no longer be competitive with our products, if Europe does not understand this." And Europe should understand it because its entire industry is here, production is in the region, its factories are here, which have the same problem, firstly due to political circumstances and the disagreement of its members, what they want to do with this region and what they want with Europe in general ", explains the president of the CCIS. Čadež recalls that in recent years, at conferences within the Berlin Process, he spoke about commercial reasons for regional cooperation, the need for a different relationship with the European Union, and he also presented political arguments, this time he used "medical arguments" and spoke to participants of the forum about the importance of overcoming past events and traumatic experiences in the region. He pointed out that it was important for politicians in the EU to understand where Europe's industrial future and security regarding access to rare metals is, given that 98 percent of Europe’s imports are from China, instead of integrating the Western Balkans, which has all the necessary resources. "I asked for Berlin process not to be another failed therapy session, but instead they should sit down and negotiate solutions - the region's rapid entry into the European economic community and the use of all the benefits of the single market," Čadež said.

​Čadež from Tirana: Due to political restrictions, companies find it increasingly difficult to do business

The excellent economic cooperation between Belgrade and Shanghai is very important both because of the strengthening of economic relations between Serbia and the People's Republic of China, as well as the political and scientific connections of the two friendly countries, this is the message of the Shanghai-Serbia Economic and Trade Forum held at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (CCIS). Two agreements on strategic cooperation were also signed within the Forum. The agreement on strategic cooperation between CCIS and the Federation of Industry and Trade of Shanghai was signed by Mihailo Vesović, Director of the Sector for Strategic Analysis, Services and Internationalization, and Zhao Liji,&nbsp; the Vice President of the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce.

Belgrade and Shanghai strengthen friendly ties between Serbia and the People's Republic of China

Companies from Serbia can offer competitive products to the markets of countries on several continents in the sector of agriculture, mechanics, innovative agriculture, biotechnology, IT, new optical infrastructures, innovative products in the field of health and services, where in recent years we have shown what we can do and where interest has been shown, pointed out the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Marko Čadež, participating in the visit to New York on the occasion of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly as part of the delegation of the Republic of Serbia.
&nbsp;More than 30 - 40 bilateral meetings that we will have with country representatives during the Session&nbsp;that&nbsp; we have very good political relations with&nbsp; but still have to develop economic relations and this is what we can work on", said the president of the CCIS and added that&nbsp; " is it on us to do our part of the work, we carefully analyzed all these countries before we arrived to New York, we know exactly what they need, what they import, who they import from, how much they pay for it... we can offer a lot of things for a lower price and in higher quality ". He pointed out that this was the first time that in that way the Government of Serbia, the President of Serbia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, integrated the economic segment in such talks and that it was very important that they recognized what the economy can do through this kind of opportunity and joint work.

Čadež:  Serbian Business for the First Time Represented in the UN 

As part of this year's most prominent wine fair in the region, Wine Vision by Open Balkan, from November 16 to 19, at the Belgrade Fair, there will also be a culinary spectacle - Food Vision.
This is a unique opportunity to get to know the traditions of taste and gastronomic peculiarities of Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania, along with top wines.
During the four days of the fair, Hall 5 will be the center for the gathering of wine and gastronomic experts, top professionals and the most promising young chefs from the countries of the region who will compete in numerous categories under the watchful eye of renowned international judges and visitors, said Danijel Nikolić, Assistant Secretary General in the Government of Serbia, at the Food Vision presentation held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.
"Our main task is to present the region of the Open Balkans as a unique tourist, cultural and geographical destination with the aim of increasing the number of tourists and improving the free flow of people, services and capital," said Nikolić.
Apart from the competition, he added, visitors will be able to enjoy numerous presentations and masterclass sessions by the most recognized and respected chefs.
Food Vision will be realized in two thematic units: "These are the competitive program of professional chefs and the exhibition of the participating countries in Hall 5, and the exhibition of commercial exhibitors of the HoReCa program with an emphasis on the food industry and professional equipment and services in the hospitality sector." explained Nikolić.
In cooperation with the professional association of young chefs - Junior Chef Club, the arrival of students from high catering schools will be organized, as well as, competitions of professional chefs and&nbsp;competition in culinary skills for representatives of the media and members of the diplomatic corps.

Culinary Spectacle Food Vision to be held from 16-19 November In Belgrade as part of Wine Vision by Open Balkan

Marko Čadež, the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, presented today in Vienna to professional wine buyers the regional fair Wine Vision by Open Balkan, as well as wines from Serbia, Albania, and North Macedonia. The presentation was organized in cooperation with the prestigious Falstaff Magazine, and the event was attended by the ministers of agriculture of Serbia and Macedonia, Jelena Tanasković and Ljupčo Nikolovski, sommeliers who work for the world's most prominent restaurants and hotels, wine critics and journalists.
"After the fairs Vinitaly in Verona and ProWein in Dusseldorf, today we are in Vienna with prominent wine connoisseurs, representing our region, which is being recognized as a wine destination, and this is our chance. What we can offer, usually pleasantly surprises people and they want to come, and what attracts them is the spirit of cooperation in the Balkans and the joint presentation of our high-quality wines," Čadež said.
Wine Vision by Open Balkan, according to Čadež, opens numerous business opportunities, and the goal is to attract as many large professional buyers as possible who are interested in joint cooperation. Čadež reminded that the Western Balkans is a market of 20 million consumers, which is developing and learning. In the last 10 years, wine culture has developed significantly, people drink more wine and know which wines they want, added the president of the CCIS. "Together with our partners from Austria, we would like to work and learn from them, 25 years ago Austria was not so well known on the world’s wine map, and today it is one of the leaders in the wine industry," said Čadež. The first fair held in September last year in Belgrade, where CCIS and Falstaff had a joint stand, showed that the Western Balkans has something to offer and that it is ready for the biggest buyers. This year, the prominent international magazine will be much more present and will bring the specifics of the wines of the Western Balkans even closer to professional buyers and visitors. More and more people from Western Europe come on wine tours and visit wineries. Wine is also a successful business, a completely open platform where one can develop cooperation and business. "Wine Vision by Open Balkan is a new way of promoting the region and what we are. You can't erase ugly old pictures, but you can replace them with more beautiful ones, and this is one of the most beautiful ones," said Čadež. The unique event Wine Vision by Open Balkan, for the second time, this year is being held from November 16 to 19 at the Belgrade Fair, under the auspices of the governments of the Republic of Serbia, North Macedonia, and Albania. Last year, it was organized with great success in September in six halls of the Belgrade Fair. The event promoted the entire region as a unique tourist, cultural, and geographic destination that offers magnificent natural and cultural-historical riches.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/viber_image_2023-09-12_14-46-38-088.jpg" id="image-tag-1694531800130" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1002"></div><div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/viber_image_2023-09-12_14-50-29-327.jpg" id="image-tag-1694531815933" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1001"></div>

​Wines from the Open Balkan Initiative presented in Vienna

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) and the Ohio Department of Development (ODD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation in the Field of Economic Development today. This is the first economic agreement that CCIS has signed with an American National Association aimed at strengthening and improving economic relations between the two countries, connecting business communities, encouraging investments by companies from Ohio in Serbia, as well as increasing the export of Serbian products and services to this US market.
 
The Memorandum has been signed by Mihailo Vesović, CCIS Director of Division for Strategic Analyses, Services and Internationalization and Lydia Mihalik, ODD Director, and the ceremony in the Chamber was attended by Major General John Harris, who leads the state delegation of Ohio visiting Serbia, Marko Djurić, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the U.S. and Christopher Hill, the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia.
“This is an exceptionally important day for bilateral and economic US-Serbia relations. By signing the Memorandum between the Chamber and the Ohio Department of Development, we are extending the existing cooperation between the two countries to the civil sector, and this is an important message for American businesspeople and investors, as well as for Serbian businesspeople. We will work on organizing the visit of a business delegation that will go from Serbia to Ohio next year, and I hope that Ohio delegation will also come to Serbia. In previous years, CCIS has worked to significantly improve the economic relations between Serbia and the U.S., which are very specific and dominated by the most modern services sector, whereas our exports recorded a surplus with the USA,” said Vesović.
Vesović has also pointed out that there is a long-lasting and good climate of understanding and cooperation between the two sides that will contribute to the full utilization of domestic economic potential in order to increase the level of the U.S. investments in Serbia.
 
“Through this agreement, Ohio and Serbia forge a powerful partnership, united by the shared vision of driving economic growth and prosperity. This collaborative commitment paves the way for innovation, trade, and mutual benefit, as we harness the strength of our regions to create a vibrant and prosperous future”, said Mihailik.
 
&nbsp;“This agreement builds upon a strong foundation of cooperation between Ohio and Serbia. For 18 years, the Ohio National Guard and the Serbian Armed Forces have participated in security cooperation activities under the State Partnership Program. Those activities have included visits and exchanges, military training and exercises, information sharing, disaster preparedness collaboration and professional development. The groundwork laid by those efforts resulted in wide-ranging cooperation between Ohio and Serbia including the economic agreement signed today”, Said Harris.
 
Ambassador Djurić pointed out that today, in Belgrade “an important seed of cooperation between Serbia and Ohio in the economic sphere has been planted” and expressed his belief that the signing of the Memorandum will lead to new investments, exchange of experience, and an opportunity to bring economic cooperation between the two countries to a new level.
 
Ambassador Hill welcomed the signing of the Memorandum and stated that he is obliged to encourage the other 49 states of the U.S. to follow Ohio’s example, because, as he pointed out, when such an important agreement is reached with a large state such as Ohio and an institution such as CCIS, it can lead to great results only.
 
ODD representatives visit Serbia for the first time as part of the traditional visit of the Ohio National Guard to Serbia in September.
 
ODD is the Ohio National Agency that assists businesspeople and companies to expand and internationalize their businesses, invest abroad, connect with business partners, participate in fairs and other world events.
 
&nbsp;

A new chapter in the Economic Relations between Serbia and Ohio

Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and the Development Agency of Serbia are organizing the presentation of Serbian companies at the leading food trade fair Anuga, which is&nbsp;to be held in Cologne (Germany) from 7th to 10th October.&nbsp;
With Anuga,&nbsp; picking up on this year's key theme "Sustainable Growth", it is the right moment to explore the offer of Serbian fine and frozen food products and get in touch with companies from Serbia who will be presenting their offer at the National booth.&nbsp;
Check the exhibitor's list at&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://fairs.pks.rs/anuga-2023/">https://fairs.pks.rs/anuga-202...</a>&nbsp;The leading global trade fair of the food industry will be complemented by an ambitious congress and event program and offers many opportunities for networking.

Meet Serbian food producers at Anuga Fair in Cologne from 7th to 10th October

Uganda is not only a large market, with 50 million consumers, but also one of the fastest growing African economies and it is very important that the Serbian economy strengthens business ties not only in the promotion of trade but in the investment sector, exchange of knowledge and technology, as well as the IT industry, pointed out Marko Čadež, the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia at the opening of the Serbian-Ugandan Business meeting.&nbsp;
The presidents of Serbia and Uganda, Aleksandar Vučić and Yoreveri Kaguta Museveni emphasized their support for the business community and called on businessmen and companies to build bridges of cooperation and partnerships.
Čadež said that with the visit of Ugandan President Jureveri Kugata Museveni to Serbia, a new chapter for economic cooperation opened which was not so much used. The president of CCIS stated that more than 100 businessmen from Uganda and Serbia were present at the business meeting today in order to exchange experiences and knowledge about mutual cooperation. He added that the trade exchange was not high as it could be.
"Uganda is not only interesting to us because it has almost 50 million inhabitants, and a&nbsp;big market, but because Uganda is part of the Eastern Economic Community of seven African countries, the fastest growing economy in Africa, and part of the African economic zone," Čadež said. "At this moment,&nbsp;if we look at what is happening in Uganda and Serbia, there is a practical need for cooperation in the agricultural sector, the food industry, and here, we are talking about agricultural production, knowledge transfer, and things like "smart agriculture",&nbsp; Čadež said.
He pointed out that there is a deposit of phosphates in Uganda, which are important for the production of artificial fertilizers. Čadež stated that, apart from trade,&nbsp;there is a possibility of cooperation in the field of tourism.&nbsp;He emphasized that the physical presence of our companies in agriculture in Uganda is important.
"This is, for example, the construction of agricultural factories for raw materials processing, that is, for the application of new methods of growing agricultural crops, starting the production of cotton, which is very interesting. There is also potential and interest of our companies to work with Medical material and&nbsp;consumables", Čadež said.
What is also interesting,&nbsp;&nbsp;is that we have a big chance in the project supported by the World Bank in Uganda for "smart agriculture", because we can give our knowledge in the field of innovative technologies, explained the president of CCIS, adding that without good experts, there is no economy and good cooperation. "We should open up potential through state and private faculties and schools", Čadež said, inviting Uganda to take part in EXPO 2027. He pointed out that the opening of restaurants and markets in this African country in Belgrade is also important.
Vučić: Africa is Serbia's strategic partner in the future
President Vučić assessed at the forum that it is strategically important for Serbia to be present on the African continent because Africa is seen,&nbsp; as a strategic partner in the future. He added that thanks to&nbsp;friends from Africa and Asia, Serbia won&nbsp;the organization of EXPO 2027.
Regarding concrete cooperation in the construction industry with Uganda, the president said that Energoprojekt, as well as other construction companies, are ready to work in that country. "There are economies in Africa that rely on state property, but this is not the case in Uganda, where private investors are welcome and this guarantees the success of its economy. I invite Serbian businessmen, with the support of our government and the Chamber of Commerce, to consider opportunities for investment in Uganda ", says Vučić.
Museveni: Cooperation with Serbia in order to create added values Uganda is such a country that we produce all raw materials, but we need cooperation with partners in the world, including in Serbia, in order to create added value, because we are at a great loss by exporting raw materials, said Museveni, inviting Serbian companies to participate in creating and added value.
Signed Memorandums of Cooperation in the field of agriculture and tourism
&nbsp;Representatives of the governments of Serbia and Uganda signed MoU in the fields of agriculture and tourism.

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Čadež: New Chapter of the Economic Ties with Uganda

Multinational and high-tech company Jaga based in Belgium, a world-renowned manufacturer of air conditioners, will open a production facility and a research and development center in the MIND Industrial park in Kragujevac, announced today Marko Čadež, the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS). 
This company is one of the most innovative in its field, it operates in 35 countries and will employ our engineers in the scientific research center in Kragujevac. In Serbia, we aim to create a hub for Belgian and other companies. Following Jaga and thanks to the cooperation of CCIS and the East West Valley investment group, we are expecting other investors soon, and some have already announced their arrival, Čadež emphasized. &nbsp; "Our Belgian friends decided to come to the MIND park in Kragujevac, one of the most modern in Europe, which shows that Serbia is an excellent investment destination and that it offers everything that top companies need, bringing the most modern technologies and knowledge," said the president of CCIS.
Bratislav Milanović, founder and director of the MIND Group, thanked the representatives of the East West Valley Group for choosing MIND Park for their project. Opened in 2018, Mind Group, Siemens Mobility, Avnet, Skoda transportation, IME Autolift, HADLER Serbia, CAF, STEFTRANS, Selvadia and Nelt are already operating in this technology park.

Herbert Huben, the president of the East West Valley company, pointed out that MIND Park and Kragujevac have all the infrastructure and educational centers important for the realization of this company's plans in Serbia. The is investment worth 35 million euros, said Huben and&nbsp;the plan is to build large plants and gradually expand capacity. East West Valley CEO Bart Kanini said that the focus of this investment group is on small and medium enterprises as well as nearshoring. "This is the beginning of successful cooperation, and we expect new companies in Serbia very soon," Kanini concluded.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/Sequence 01.00_09_24_05.Still001.jpg" id="image-tag-1690027831649" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="992"></div><div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/Sequence 01.00_12_04_03.Still002.jpg" id="image-tag-1690027867942" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="993"></div>

Čadež: Belgian Company Jaga Invests in Kragujevac

Reliable and timely information in a modern and dynamic economic environment is one of the key services of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS).&nbsp;The analyses prepared by the CCIS are based on the use of the integrated database created in the communication with the economy, Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, Serbian Business Registers Agency, Customs Administration, Central Registry of Compulsory Social Insurance, and other institutions. In its work, the CCIS uses its access to international databases (Eurostat, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, UN Comtrade, Trade Map, International Trade Centre, Observatory of Economic Complexity, etc.).&nbsp;„Bloomberg terminal“ provides the CCIS with access to information from international financial and commodity markets, which additionally increases the capacity of business intelligence.&nbsp;Owing to constant communication with economic entities and the availability of databases, the Centre for Strategic Analyses, Analytics, Planning, and Publications creates and develops a set of economic indicators, and prepares and coordinates the publication of numerous regular economic reports and analyses.<a href="https://pks.rs/strana/analytics-and-research">Download trade reports and&nbsp;analytics&nbsp;here.</a>

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Around 150 professional building managers and representatives of local self-government have been trained to successfully implement energy efficiency principles in residential buildings. The training was held in Belgrade, Sombor, Zaječar, and Novi Sad, as part of the "Better Energy" project implemented by the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry&nbsp;in cooperation with the American Agency for International Development (USAID). 
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of&nbsp;Serbia and USAID's "Better Energy" project aims to provide&nbsp;free training for professional managers of multi-apartment buildings, municipal energy managers, and officials of local self-governments in charge of housing issues.
The five-year USAID "Better Energy" project is aimed at improving energy efficiency in multi-residential buildings at the municipal level and increasing the use of energy from renewable sources in Serbia.