The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and the Development Agency of Serbia are organizing the participation of Serbian businessmen at the National Stand of Serbia during the International Food Industry Fair "THE SAUDI FOOD SHOW 2024" in Riyadh which started today and will last until May 23rd.&nbsp;"THE SAUDI FOOD SHOW" (https://www.thesaudifoodshow.com) is a prominent platform where manufacturers can connect with representatives from major retail chains, importers, and distributors, and stay updated on new trends in the food industry.The fair covers 14,000 m², and in 2023, 512 exhibitors from 93 countries participated in the fair, and over 8,000 B2B meetings were held with around 30,000 professional visitors. The fair is held at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Centre. For a list of all exhibitors, please visit <a href="https://fairs.pks.rs/saudi-food-show-2024/">https://fairs.pks.rs/saudi-foo...</a>.

Serbian Food Industry at the Fair in Saudi Arabia

The President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Marko Čadež, stated at Web Summit Qatar 2026 in Doha that Serbia today has a strong and globally competitive startup ecosystem. This is confirmed by the growth of software exports and the increasing presence of Serbian innovative companies at major global technology events, including the participation of eight Serbian startups at this year’s Web Summit, held from February 1 to 4.Speaking on a panel dedicated to building regional companies with global impact at Web Summit Qatar 2026&mdash;one of the most important international technology conferences in the Middle East&mdash;Čadež emphasized that significant structural changes have taken place in Serbia over the past decade, most clearly reflected in software export figures.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/foto 39_960x540.jpg" id="image-tag-1770040968106" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2023"></div> “Ten years ago, Serbia’s software exports amounted to around €350 million, while today they exceed €5.1 billion annually,” Čadež said, adding that Serbia now has around 30,000 engineers.He recalled that the foundations for this growth were continuous investments in digital infrastructure, supercomputers and data centers, as well as the introduction of programming as a mandatory subject in primary schools. According to him, these steps have contributed to the arrival of research and development centers of leading global companies in Serbia.Addressing the challenges, Čadež noted that Serbia has a strong base of knowledge and innovation, but that additional efforts are needed in sales and the global positioning of domestic technological solutions. As he pointed out, conferences such as Web Summit are an important platform for connecting Serbian startups with investors and international partners. He added that years of operating in complex economic conditions have contributed to the resilience and innovativeness of Serbian companies.Speaking about future priorities, Čadež stressed the need to continue investing in infrastructure, supercomputers, and data centers, strengthen cooperation with the scientific community, and build a strong link between expert knowledge and advanced technologies.The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia is organizing, for the first time, the participation of Serbian startup companies at Web Summit Qatar 2026, held from February 1 to 4, 2026, in Doha. The conference brings together more than 30,000 participants, 1,500 startups, 700 investors, 350 speakers, and around 600 media representatives from over 120 countries. Serbia is presenting itself through the national exhibition area “Serbian Island,” where eight Serbian startups from the fields of the digital economy, industry, security, and healthcare are showcasing their solutions: Smart Part, SpiceAds, MyFlow, Baby FM, Marina Int, Protokol, CyberParent, and Advanced Security Technologies. These companies have the opportunity to present their innovations to investors, global corporations, and institutions, as well as to participate in numerous B2B and B2G meetings, further strengthening the international visibility of Serbia’s startup ecosystem.

Čadež in Doha: Serbia Has a Globally Competitive Startup Ecosystem

Companies from Serbia recorded an exceptionally successful appearance at the International Food Industry Trade Fair “Gulfood 2026” in Dubai, as confirmed by the results achieved over the four-day event. Serbian exhibitors held around 1,300 business meetings, while the estimated value of concluded and expected export deals reached €8.2 million.
The largest number of business contacts was established with partners from the United Arab Emirates, Israel, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United States of America, Canada, the Russian Federation, Iraq, the Netherlands, India, Japan, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, China, South Korea, Turkey, Oman, Lebanon, and Bahrain, further confirming the global interest in products from Serbia’s food industry, emphasized Zorana Delić from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.
During the event, the Serbian national pavilion was visited by the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the United Arab Emirates, Vladimir Marić, who spoke with company representatives and highlighted the importance of the continuous presence of Serbian producers in the Middle East market.
Within the Serbian national pavilion, organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and the Development Agency of Serbia, 24 companies from various segments of the food sector presented their products from January 26 to 30: AGROPARTNER (Lučani), ARETOL (Novi Sad), BENLIAN FOODS (Niš), BUDIMKA (Požega), DAMAR CONFIT (Belgrade), DBA PROMET (Arilje), FRIGO PAUN (Požega), FRIGONAIS (Niš), FRUCOM FOOD (Arilje), FRUITICA (Čantavir), GENEZA (Kanjiža), ITN GROUP (Belgrade), LAKI (Arilje), MASTER FOOD (Užice), MASTER FRUITS (Belgrade), MLEKARA UB (Ub), PACKOM INTERNATIONAL (Belgrade), PIP NOVI SAD (Novi Sad), RUBUS HILL (Kušići), SIROGOJNO COMPANY (Sirogojno), ŽUTI LIST (Vranje), TARTUFI SR (Zemun), UNIAPAK (Niš), and YAYLA PAN (Sečanj).
Serbian exhibitors showcased a wide range of products &mdash; from frozen fruit and vegetables, dairy and confectionery products, jams, juices, baked goods, and ready-made meals, to truffles, mushrooms, spices, soups, coffee, and snack products &mdash; and participated in numerous business meetings and commercial negotiations with international buyers, importers, and distributors.
A special contribution to Serbia’s visibility at “Gulfood 2026” was made by the company “Damar Truffles,” which took part in the prestigious World of Taste program as the only brand from Serbia among selected European names. As part of the Tastes of the World program, the company’s director, Daniel Trifunović, held a culinary presentation of truffle pasta preparation in front of a large international audience, placing the Serbian stand among the most striking at the fair.
The participation of Serbian companies at “Gulfood 2026” once again confirmed the competitiveness of the domestic food industry and the importance of this event as a key platform for boosting exports and positioning Serbia on the global food market.
“GULFOOD” (<a href="http://www.gulfood.com">www.gulfood.com</a>) is one of the largest and most significant specialized food industry exhibitions in the UAE and the Gulf region. For the first time in its history, in 2026, the fair was held at two locations &mdash; the Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Expo City.
This year’s partner country was India, and more than 8,500 exhibitors from over 190 countries participated in the event across 12 sectors, including startups, logistics, and digital innovations.

<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/PHOTO-2026-01-30-08-58-08 Gulfood.jpg" id="image-tag-1769767565607" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2022"></div>

Photo: Zorana Delić, CCIS Video: Tijana Ranđelović, Damar Truffles

<a href="https://fairs.pks.rs/gulfood-2026/">GET IN TOUCH WITH ALL SERBIAN EXHIBITORS AT GULFOOD 2026</a>

New Export Deals Worth €8.2 Million Agreed at “Gulfood 2026” Trade Fair

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) has launched the first Balkan Negotiation Academy (Balkan Negotiation Academy – BNA), a specialized and practice-oriented program designed for business leaders and decision-makers from the public and private sectors. The program aims to strengthen negotiation capacities within institutions and companies, while enhancing cooperation and trust across the region and Europe.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/4331_960x540.jpg" id="image-tag-1769684255401" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2018"></div>
The program is based on the innovative Highly Reliable Negotiation Framework (HRNF) methodology, enabling participants to improve their ability to manage complex and international negotiations, develop reliable negotiation processes and decision-making under pressure, acquire practical tools applicable immediately in their work, and become part of a regional and European professional network, namely the European Negotiation Association (ENEA).
“The program is intended for directors, managers, entrepreneurs, public sector representatives, and professionals involved in business, public-private, and cross-border initiatives,” said Mirjana Kovačević, Head of the CCIS Center for Education, Dual Education, and Educational Policies. She added that the program consists of six modules delivered in 21 teaching hours in English.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/7100_960x540.jpg" id="image-tag-1769684266123" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2020"></div>
Over the past years, the Western Balkans region, and Serbia in particular, has made significant progress in political and economic reforms and in strengthening relations with the European Union, Kovačević explained. The further success of this process, she noted, largely depends on the development of cross-border cooperation and the strengthening of economic ties between companies, public institutions, and other stakeholders.
“That is precisely why this program was designed as a concrete contribution to enhancing negotiation capacities, cooperation, and trust in the region and the broader European context,” she emphasized.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/5215_960x540.jpg" id="image-tag-1769684278530" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2019"></div>
The program is delivered by a team of distinguished international experts with extensive relevant experience and recognized professional credentials. The team is led by Francesco Marchi, Director of Negotiation Expertise at the Paris-based consultancy ALTERNEGO, specializing in complex negotiations and conflict resolution.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/2626_960x540.jpg" id="image-tag-1769684247270" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2017"></div>
Francesco Marchi previously led the “Negotiators of Europe” program at ESSEC’s IRENE Institute and, as head of a European consortium, trained European Commission teams, including the Brexit Task Force and several Directorates-General. He is a certified mediator (CEDR, London) and lecturer in international negotiations at Sciences Po, INSP, the College of Europe, and the Sorbonne. He is also the founder and president of the European Negotiation Association (ENEA).
Photo: Boban Ristić

CCIS Launches the First Balkan Negotiation Academy – BNA

President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS), Marko Čadež, warned today that due to bureaucratic procedures and the inadequate response of the European Union regarding the stay of professional drivers in the Schengen Area, Western Balkan economies are suffering direct losses of around €100 million per day solely in terms of goods exports.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/Камиони1_960x540.jpeg" id="image-tag-1769502758210" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2011"></div>
During a visit to the Batrovci border crossing, where freight traffic is blocked, and more than 50 trucks are waiting in line, Čadež stressed that the current situation seriously threatens the operations of thousands of companies and the stability of entire supply chains.
“This is only the damage related to exports. On top of that, there are penalties and fines that manufacturing companies are paying for undelivered goods, ranging from €10,000 to €50,000 per day. Around 10,000 companies from Serbia alone export to the European Union, so it is clear that we are talking about truly significant figures,” Čadež told Tanjug.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/Камиони_960x540.jpeg" id="image-tag-1769502770502" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2010"></div>
He pointed out that, unlike previous global supply chain crises, such as those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic or the blockage of the Suez Canal, the current crisis was not triggered by an external factor, but by the inflexibility of the European administration. As he emphasized, businesses from Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania, and Montenegro have been jointly warning about this issue for more than two years, along with EU companies operating in the region, yet no solution has been found.
“We have a paradoxical situation in which Europe and European companies are slowing themselves down and blocking their own operations,” Čadež said.
He added that companies are extremely concerned about the current crisis, which is why he visited the border crossing together with the President of the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Filip Simović. According to Čadež, in the past seven days alone, nine drivers have been arrested in Germany because European regulations are being applied to professional drivers in the same way as to illegal migrants, leading to serious disruptions in supply and the functioning of the European economy.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/МЧ3_960x540.jpeg" id="image-tag-1769502785372" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2012"></div>
“This is not only a Western Balkan problem, but a European one. We hope that the European administration will listen to major companies in member states that are now addressing their governments, because this approach is endangering Europe’s own economy,” Čadež said.
Mirko Bjelobrk, a member of the Management Board of the Business Association “International Transport,” stated that blockades of freight terminals at border crossings are currently the only way for transport companies to make their voices heard within the European Union. He noted that contacts with European institutions have been ongoing since 2014, intensifying over the past three years, and that everything possible has been done to resolve the issue.
He emphasized that Serbia has supported transport companies within its competencies and made maximum efforts to help, expressing confidence that joint action would secure conditions for the unhindered operation of international transport. He recalled that several thousand international transport companies operate in Serbia, employing around 30,000 people.
The President of the Management Board of the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Filip Simović, said that the blockades at border freight terminals are not an incident or a short-term disruption, but a systemic warning not only for the domestic economy, but also for relations between the European and Serbian economies.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/АХК_960x540.jpeg" id="image-tag-1769502803273" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2009"></div>
“The German economy is extremely affected by these blockades. Serbia exports goods worth €5 billion to Germany, which means the current situation is causing daily losses of between €100 million and €150 million,” Simović said.
Transport companies from Western Balkan countries began blockades of freight traffic at Schengen border crossings on Monday at noon as a last-resort measure, due to restrictions on the stay of professional drivers during their regular work activities. An expansion of the blockades to alternative crossings with Bulgaria – Mokranje near Negotin and Ribarce near Bosilegrad – has also been announced.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia is intensively working on an urgent solution to this issue in cooperation with regional chambers. Proposed solutions include the introduction of a special visa or permit for professional drivers valid throughout the Schengen Area, an increase in the number of permitted days of stay, and the exemption of drivers from the Entry/Exit System (EES) until a permanent solution is reached.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/МЧизјаве_960x540.jpeg" id="image-tag-1769502817009" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2013"></div>

Photo/ Video: Boban Ristić ( CCIS)

Čadež: EU Regulations Cost Western Balkan Economies €100 Million a Day

The President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Marko Čadež, together with his associates, met with Anaïs Jan, Director of Membership Development for Europe at the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), to discuss the further development of World Trade Center Belgrade (WTC Belgrade), with the aim of positioning this business platform as a regional hub for international trade, leading global trade fairs, investments, and the networking of companies from Serbia, the region, and around the world.
The focus of the talks was on plans to intensify WTC Belgrade’s activities through the organization of major international events and trade fairs, including Expo 2027 Belgrade, the arrival of the world’s largest technology exhibition, GITEX GLOBAL Dubai, to Serbia, as well as cooperation with other leading technology and business platforms. Special emphasis was placed on digitalization, the development of the IT sector, and the creation of new opportunities for networking among companies, investors, and partners.
Presenting the development plans, Čadež recalled that Serbia is becoming a host to major international trade fairs such as GITEX AI Serbia, and that activities are underway to attract other leading global events.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC08381-21.jpg" id="image-tag-1769158533538" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2008"></div>
“The arrival of trade fairs such as GITEX AI Serbia confirms that Serbia is increasingly positioning itself on the map of global business and technology centers. Our goal is also to, through WTC Belgrade, integrate Serbia and the region into these global flows, act as organizers of major business events, and create a regional hub that connects companies, investors, and innovators from around the world,” said Čadež.
WTCA brings together over 300 centers in more than 100 countries and territories worldwide, making it one of the largest global business networks. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia holds the license for WTC Belgrade and is one of only 25 chambers of commerce worldwide that are members of this prestigious association.
WTC Belgrade is being positioned as a platform for the internationalization, promotion, and business networking of the Serbian economy with the world. It will provide domestic companies with direct access to the global business network, participation in international trade fairs, forums, and trade missions, integration into global supply chains, as well as connections with partners, distributors, and investors worldwide.

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Photo: Boban Ristić, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia

WTC Belgrade on the Path to Becoming a Regional Hub for International Business

Nine companies ranked among Serbia’s leading domestic IT and technology firms, along with the Mihajlo Pupin Institute, presented their work today to representatives of the Dubai Chambers at the round table “Tech & Innovation Exchange,” organized in Belgrade by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS).
The President of the CCIS, Marko Čadež, stated that Serbian IT companies are recognized as high-quality partners in the field of software and digital solutions, including in Dubai, which is why the delegation of the Dubai Chambers came to Belgrade with the aim of expanding cooperation.
“Many of our companies already have representative offices in Dubai and operate not only on the market of the United Arab Emirates, but also on other global markets. Precisely for this reason, we wanted to focus on deepening the partnership with the Dubai Chambers,” Čadež emphasized.
He noted that the goal of today’s meeting was to present concrete solutions that Serbian IT companies can offer for joint projects already being developed in Dubai, primarily in the areas of logistics, air transport, and infrastructure.
Čadež stressed that the mission of the CCIS is to support innovative companies from Serbia, as well as companies from the UAE, in opening their development and research centers in Serbia for the European market, bearing in mind the availability of a highly qualified workforce and a favorable regulatory environment.
He recalled that Serbia has strong infrastructure for the development of new technologies, such as the State Data Center in Kragujevac and two supercomputers, and that it is the only country in Europe, apart from Turkey, that has a Free Trade Agreement with the United Arab Emirates.
He added that the CCIS and Dubai are already successfully cooperating through the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), one of the largest international trade organizations, bringing together around 100 countries and connecting more than 300 world trade centers, of which the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia is also a member.
“This is a strategic partnership related to the development of major trade fair events in Belgrade. We have already brought GITEX Global, the world’s largest technology fair, from Dubai, which will be held in Belgrade for the first time in 2027 as part of the EXPO exhibition, and subsequently over the next ten years,” Čadež said.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DUbai 5_960x540.jpg" id="image-tag-1769007276054" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2003"></div>
He added that cooperation is also expanding to include the largest food industry fair held in Dubai, which could, in the future, also have its European edition in Belgrade.
“Fairs in the fields of tourism, medicine, and real estate are also in preparation,” said the President of the CCIS. Čadež specified that around 150 companies with UAE capital currently operate in Serbia, while approximately 300 companies with Serbian capital operate in the United Arab Emirates.
The President of the Dubai Chambers, Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, stated that there is significant room for enhancing cooperation in the field of IT and innovation.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/Дубаи5_960x540.jpg" id="image-tag-1769007319637" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="2001"></div>He emphasized that the UAE is actively working to diversify its economy and that the digital economy is increasingly catching up with the oil industry, which currently accounts for approximately 20 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.
“Artificial intelligence has recently become a priority for our country. We see it as a tool that various sectors can use to improve operations&mdash;from supply chains and logistics to healthcare. This is how we strengthen and safeguard our economy,” Al Mansoori said.
He stressed that the Dubai market is fully open to innovation and the digitalization of new projects, citing as examples the improvement of public sector services as well as the development of major infrastructure projects, including the construction of the world’s largest airport. “Dubai is a global logistics hub, and we are particularly interested in innovations in the supply chain,” he emphasized. Al Mansoori added that the Dubai Chambers can assist Serbian IT companies in connecting with potential partners and becoming involved in concrete projects in Dubai. Leading domestic and internationally oriented IT and technology companies presented themselves to the Dubai business delegation, covering a wide range of areas&mdash;from software development and digital transformation, through artificial intelligence and data analytics, to cybersecurity and communication systems. The event was organized during the two-day visit of the Dubai Chambers delegation to Serbia, as part of the “Growth Corridors” trade mission.&nbsp;
(Source: Beta)

​  Serbian IT Companies Present Their Capabilities to the Dubai Chamber of Commerce

Support from the European Union and Germany, strengthening the partnership with Europe’s strongest economy and its swift recovery, is crucial for Serbia’s path toward EU accession&mdash;a process that has stagnated for years despite Serbia’s impressive economic results and the fact that integration of the Western Balkans into the EU will not be possible without Serbia.
This was one of the key conclusions of a roundtable organized last week in Berlin by the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI). Through dialogue between German and Serbian experts and an open, direct discussion with German media, the event aimed to draw attention to the historic transformation Serbia is undergoing, the structural pressures shaping Serbian policy, the role the EU and Germany must play in the accession process, and the consequences should such support be lacking.
“Urgently integrating Serbia and the region into the EU single market&mdash;even before full EU membership&mdash;is important not only for Serbia and the region, but also for European and German companies operating here,” said Marko Čadež, President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
As he explained, Serbia conducts around 60 percent of its total trade with the EU, exports 16 percent of its total global exports to the German market and nearly a quarter of its exports to the EU. German companies, which have invested billions of euros in the Serbian economy, along with local firms, are equally bearing the costs of problems arising from delays in integrating Serbia and the region into the EU.
“Full access to the single market even before EU accession is, in fact, a solution proposed by the Western Balkans business community&mdash;one that no government in the region would reject,” said the SCCI President when responding to journalists’ questions about “light membership.”
Viewing Serbia’s reality and European integration from a political perspective, Peter Beyer, CDU member of the Bundestag and Chair of the Subcommittee on Crisis Prevention, Strategic Foresight, Stabilization and Peacebuilding within the Foreign Affairs Committee, sees Serbia as a “key country in the Western Balkans” and warns of the danger of Europe turning its back on it.
“If we abandon Serbia, we will see the strengthening of foreign powers that do not share our values right in the heart of Europe,” Beyer believes, noting that the “appetite for EU enlargement has diminished” and that the Berlin Process launched by Angela Merkel&mdash;aimed at bringing the region closer to the EU&mdash;was practically dormant for several years.
Limited membership, according to Beyer, should only be a transitional step: “In the end, there must be full membership, with all rights and obligations. Otherwise, the EU’s credibility would be undermined.”
Unlike current European policy, which, despite promises, has postponed the accession of Serbia and the region for two decades, shifting the focus from achieved economic progress to the political arena, representatives of German business have no such doubts. They reminded German journalists that Serbia is not only the largest, but also the strongest and most advanced economy in the Western Balkans&mdash;the only one with an investment-grade rating&mdash;whose investment performance and economic strength equal that of the rest of the region combined.
Serbia is an important manufacturing location and supplier for the German automotive industry, sharing with it the challenges this sector faces in Germany. German companies have invested nearly four billion euros in Serbia, employ more than 80,000 people, and&mdash;most importantly&mdash;88 percent of all German investors would invest again in the Serbian economy, pointed out Dr. Volker Treier, Member of the Executive Board and Head of Foreign Trade at the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK).
Filip Simović, President of the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (AHK) and Managing Director of M&M Militzer & Münch in Serbia, confirmed Serbia’s importance as an investment destination for German business for multiple reasons&mdash;from its geographical position to a skilled and motivated workforce. Volker Hagen, Head of Strategic Planning at Brose, a company that has been manufacturing in Pančevo for years, said he had “nothing but recommendations for investing in Serbia.”
“Serbia is the locomotive of the region, whether we like it or not. But we should like it,” observed Jörg Heskens, advisor to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.
According to Heskens, Serbia’s economic progress&mdash;the fact that over the past ten years it has recorded the highest economic growth in Europe, that 90 percent of its trade is conducted with the EU and the region rather than with Russia, China, or the United States, and that it serves as a regional hub for German and European companies&mdash;should be the key anchor for accelerating European integration, just as it is the main pillar of Serbian policy.
“In Serbia, two million people vote for the president because their economic situation is better, not because they watch those ‘strange’ television channels,” Heskens said, responding to the simplified image of Serbia often presented by Western politics and media, which fails to take Serbian realities into account.
Photo: Olivera Papestiјević

EU and German Support Crucial for Serbia’s European Integration

The President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Marko Čadež, and the Director of the Office for IT and eGovernment, Mihailo Jovanović, signed a Cooperation Agreement at the Ložionica venue in Belgrade, aimed at the more efficient implementation of the “Serbia Digitalizes” digital transformation knowledge-sharing program, as well as the development of a national LLM &mdash; a large language model for the Serbian language.
Jovanović stated that the Agreement comes at a time when, according to the World Bank index measuring the maturity of public administration development, Serbia ranks 2nd in Europe and 6th globally, while according to the Oxford AI Readiness Index, it is among the top 20 percent of countries worldwide most prepared for the application of artificial intelligence. In this context, he emphasized that the Agreement represents an important step toward the international promotion of domestic eGovernment solutions, as well as toward the further development and wider application of artificial intelligence.
“For the first time, the Republic of Serbia is taking a systematic and strategic approach to the development and training of a large AI language model for the Serbian language, opening space for the application of artificial intelligence in education, healthcare, the judiciary, culture, public administration, and the economy. By developing a large AI language model for the Serbian language, we are preserving our digital and AI sovereignty, ensuring that data remains within the country. This model will enable the Serbian language, script, and identity to be equally represented in the global digital space, with full control over data, standards, and ethical principles.
Thanks to the existing supercomputer at the State Data Center in Kragujevac and the planned installation of two additional supercomputers during 2026, Serbia is building and enhancing its own AI infrastructure, while the development of the Serbian language model has great cultural and identity significance. We expect many other institutions to join this project very soon, primarily the National Library, the University Library, RTS, RTV, the Institute for Artificial Intelligence Development, and many others,” Jovanović said, adding that this is an investment to ensure that the Serbian language, all its dialects and pronunciations, remain alive in the future &mdash; because what book printing was in the 19th century, AI is in the 21st century.
Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, emphasized that the development of a national AI language model will bring enormous benefits to the economy, such as reduced solution development costs, increased productivity, automation of customer support and sales, and faster, data-driven business decision-making.
“Every company, regardless of its level of digitalization, will be able to transform more easily, faster, and more simply, with significantly lower entry barriers for the application of artificial intelligence. This applies to all sectors &mdash; from energy and agriculture, where AI enables smart resource management, through finance with advanced digital assistants and customer communication in the Serbian language, to healthcare through the analysis of medical documentation, faster diagnostics, and secure storage of citizens’ health data. In education, children and students will have access to AI tools in the Serbian language with security filters, while in the legal system, a domestic language model will improve the work of lawyers, courts, and notaries through precise and standardized language use. Small and medium-sized enterprises will experience the greatest transformation through automated sales, marketing assistants, and digital business support, enabling them to be more competitive in both domestic and international markets. The creation of our own language model and the introduction of the 5G network are two key turning points positioning Serbia as an exporter of innovation, a strong digital ecosystem, and a regional innovation hub, with clear benefits for the economy, citizens, and society as a whole,” Čadež said.
He added that the plan is for the Chamber to support the export of IT solutions and innovative tools developed by the Office for IT and eGovernment. Negotiations are underway with Tashkent regarding the adoption of the eBaby program, given that one million babies are born annually in Uzbekistan.
By signing this Agreement, the Office for IT and eGovernment and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia confirm their commitment to joint action aimed at further advancing digital transformation, strengthening economic competitiveness, and positioning Serbia as a regional leader in digital public services and artificial intelligence.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC08063_960x540.jpg" id="image-tag-1768471242617" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1996"></div>

Serbia to Develop a Large AI Language Model for the Serbian Language 

Next year, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia&nbsp;(CCIS) will organize the participation of Serbian companies in at least four international trade fairs in China and lead at least ten business delegations to the world’s most populous country. At the same time, the CCIS will twice a year bring together Serbian and Chinese businesspeople in Serbia to foster networking and the implementation of joint projects, announced today Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.
Speaking at a ceremonial cocktail reception at the Serbian Business Club “Privrednik,” organized by the CCIS for representatives of the Serbian and Chinese business communities, Čadež said that Serbia has a significant opportunity to improve and further develop cooperation with China. This comes as the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), together with the Chamber of Chinese Companies in Serbia, begins the official opening of its representative office in Belgrade.
“We expect the office to be officially opened in 2026. What is important is that they are not starting from a ‘ground zero’,&nbsp; since Chinese companies are already operating in Serbia and have organized themselves into an association- the Chamber of Chinese Companies- which&nbsp;already operates here,” Čadež said.
At the event, which brought together more than 30 of the largest Serbian companies and 24 Chinese companies, Čadež emphasized that the number of visits to China will be doubled with the aim of connecting domestic companies with major Chinese partners. The goal is to launch new projects in 2026 and make next year a “year of Chinese-Serbian cooperation.”<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/IMG_3892_960x5401.jpg" id="image-tag-1766765224307" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1994"></div>
Jagoda Lazarević, Minister of Foreign and Internal Trade, highlighted that Serbia and China have strong potential for further growth in bilateral trade and investments. She stressed that the coming period will be dedicated to strengthening business ties and diversifying Serbian exports to the Chinese market, noting that Expo 2027 will be an excellent opportunity to present China in Serbia.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/IMG_3883_960x540.jpg" id="image-tag-1766765237515" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1993"></div>
Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Li Ming underlined that the two countries have enormous potential for further development of bilateral trade and investments. He emphasized the importance of implementing new projects, expanding market access for Serbian products, and continuing successful cooperation in 2026, with a focus on innovation, sustainable development, and premium product quality. He also noted the need to further develop the potential enabled by the joint Free Trade Agreement.

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Yang Dong, President of the Chamber of Chinese Companies in Serbia and General Director of China Communications Construction Company, recalled that the organization brings together 58 companies in Serbia employing more than 25,000 people across various sectors, from infrastructure to finance. He stressed the importance of intensifying cooperation between Serbian and Chinese companies in 2026.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/IMG_68661_960x720.jpg" id="image-tag-1766765250049" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1995"></div>

Čadež: A New Phase of Economic Cooperation with China in 2026 

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) has published a Business Guide to the Bosnia and Herzegovina Market, intended for companies planning to start or expand their operations, establish new partnerships, increase exports, or implement investments in one of the most important markets in the region.
The publication is available free of charge on the CCIS website and is part of the Chamber’s activities aimed at providing concrete, reliable, and practical support to the domestic economy, to strengthen regional business activities. The Business Guide to the Bosnia and Herzegovina Market, as well as other CCIS regional guides, can be downloaded in PDF format from the Chamber’s website: <a href="https://pks.rs/strana/sekcija/publikacije-regionalna-saradnja">https://pks.rs/strana/sekcija/publikacije-regionalna-saradnja</a>
“Bosnia and Herzegovina is a natural and strategically very important market for Serbian companies. Geographic proximity, strong trade ties, a similar business environment, and long-standing cooperation make it one of the first and most logical steps for entering or further expanding business operations in the region. Investment in knowledge and timely information represents the foundation for successful business decisions,” emphasizes Đorđije Radović from the CCIS Center for Regional Cooperation.
Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are the largest trading partners in the Western Balkans. Total trade in goods between the two countries amounted to EUR 2.9 billion in the previous year, while trade in services reached EUR 868 million.
With Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia realizes around 50 percent of its total trade in goods with Western Balkan economies. Bosnia and Herzegovina is Serbia’s leading export destination in the region, accounting for almost half of total regional exports, and at the same time, the country from which Serbia imports the most. Over the past three years, the Bosnian-Herzegovinian market has been Serbia’s second most important export market globally. According to data from the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, with more than EUR 1.5 billion in investments, is one of the largest investors in that country.
“The Business Guide to Bosnia and Herzegovina is the result of many years of experience and the daily work of the CCIS team with companies that already operate or plan to enter this market. The publication is based on the most frequently asked questions and practical business dilemmas&mdash;from the tax system, company establishment, and investment procedures, to public procurement, work permits, and other administrative requirements,” Radović points out.
The Guide provides a comprehensive overview of key aspects of doing business in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including economic indicators, the structure of the economy, the regulatory and tax framework, as well as the specifics of business practice. A particular value of the publication lies in references to relevant institutions, contacts, and additional sources of information that help companies navigate the local business environment and make informed decisions.
By publishing the Business Guide to Bosnia and Herzegovina, CCIS continues its series of regional publications, following previously published guides for Slovenia, Croatia, Albania, and North Macedonia, thereby further strengthening its role as a reliable partner and service provider to the domestic economy.
“Through these guides and other services we provide, the Chamber remains a strong pillar of support for companies in their efforts to efficiently harness the potential of regional markets, enhance competitiveness, and ensure long-term sustainable growth and resilience,” Radović concludes.

New Tool of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia for Businesses: Free Business Guide to the Bosnia and Herzegovina Market

Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS), met today with Akira Imamura, Ambassador of Japan to Serbia, to discuss the current cooperation and opportunities for joint projects between the two economies in the fields of energy and agriculture, the organization of business meetings between Serbian and Japanese companies in the coming period, as well as the participation of Japanese companies at Expo 2027.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC00476-2.jpg" id="image-tag-1766480149878" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1987"></div>
Čadež thanked Ambassador Imamura, whose term in Serbia is coming to an end, for the successful cooperation to date and officially proposed that Imamura become an Honorary Representative of the CCIS in Japan.
“The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia will support the further strengthening of energy cooperation with Japan, and we are also preparing a visit of Serbian companies to Japan. We also want to encourage Japanese companies to visit GITEX, which will be held in 2027 as part of Expo,” Čadež said.
Ambassador Imamura announced the upcoming visit of representatives of the Japanese organization JETRO to Belgrade and emphasized the importance of continuing to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the areas of energy, e-mobility, and the participation of Serbian agricultural producers at the fair in Yokohama.<div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC00456-2.jpg" id="image-tag-1766480160112" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1983"></div><div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC00450-2.jpg" id="image-tag-1766480170453" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1982"></div><div class="article-photo"><img src="https://en-api.pks.rs/storage/assets/DSC00472-2.jpg" id="image-tag-1766480180675" data-image-alignment="article-photo" data-image-size-id="original" data-asset-id="1986"></div>
Photo: Boban Ristić

Čadež: Japan an Important Partner of Serbia in Energy and Innovation

With the entry into force of the Free Trade Agreement between Serbia and Egypt, significant opportunities have opened up for strengthening trade cooperation and for a stronger presence of Serbian companies in the Egyptian and African markets, it was highlighted at a meeting between the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Marko Čadež, and the Ambassador of Egypt to Serbia, Ahmed Salam Soliman. The meeting focused on advancing economic cooperation between the two countries.
The President of the CCIS assessed that trade exchange had so far been hindered by the absence of a Free Trade Agreement, the implementation of which began on 1st September this year. As he noted, the CCIS plans to open a representative office in Cairo, which will provide operational support to Serbian companies entering the Egyptian market and enable more effective use of the benefits of the Agreement.

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“Egypt has the potential to become a regional hub for cooperation with African markets,” Čadež said, adding that, in addition to existing services such as the PKS Chatbot available to companies, the CCIS, in cooperation with the relevant ministries, will prepare a practical guide for companies on how to make use of the advantages of the Free Trade Agreement.
Ambassador Soliman emphasized the importance of improving the visa regime and establishing direct air routes between Belgrade and Cairo, assessing that this would significantly contribute to the growth of trade exchange. “My priority is for the Free Trade Agreement to be fully implemented in practice, and I believe that the volume of trade exchange in the coming period will increase several times over,” Soliman stated. He added that EXPO 2027 will be an additional platform for strengthening economic cooperation between Serbia and Egypt.
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 Photo: Boban Ristić (CCIS)