Serbian Business Delegation in Cairo: A New Impetus for Economic Relations with Egypt

A Serbian business delegation visited Egypt as part of the official visit of Serbian Prime Minister Đuro Macut. A business forum bringing together Serbian and Egyptian companies was held, alongside approximately 30 bilateral meetings. The forum was organized in cooperation between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce. This was the second such event held in Cairo within the past year, confirming the growing intensity and significance of economic cooperation between the two countries.

The business forum was attended by the Prime Ministers of Serbia and Egypt, Dr. Đuro Macut and Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, who agreed that such events are a key instrument not only for strengthening interstate relations but also for deepening concrete economic ties and business cooperation.

The delegation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia was led by Đorđe Živanović, Advisor to the President of the Chamber, who addressed participants by highlighting the strategic importance of the Free Trade Agreement set to come into force soon. He emphasized that on the very day of its entry into force, nearly 50 percent of agricultural and 30 percent of industrial products from Serbia will be eligible for export to Egypt duty-free. Over the next decade, this liberalization is expected to expand to cover 87 percent of agri-food products and 90 percent of industrial products. On the other hand, the agreement will also enable duty-free imports of key raw materials and semi-finished goods from Egypt, such as urea, propane, cotton, silk, and metallurgical products.

As highlighted during the event, Egypt, being the second-largest economy in Africa with a population of 111 million and a strategic geographic position, represents a crucial partner for Serbia in accessing African and Middle Eastern markets. Conversely, Serbia can serve as a gateway for Egyptian companies to the European market.

While in Cairo, the Serbian Chamber delegation also met with representatives of Egypt’s National Food Safety Authority (NFSA), marking the beginning of institutional cooperation aimed at facilitating the export of Serbian food and dietary products to the Egyptian market. The meeting particularly emphasized the need to remove administrative barriers and recognize the FCS certificate for Serbian producers, which would further boost trade in the context of future liberalization. Additionally, a meeting was held with representatives of the Egyptian General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI).

At the end of the visit, the Serbian Ambassador to Egypt, Mr. Miroslav Šestović, hosted a formal reception at his residence in honor of the Serbian Prime Minister, the business delegation, and Egyptian partners.

Photo: Milica Tošić