Serbian-Indian Business Forum in Belgrade

The Serbian-Indian Business Forum, including around 150 Serbian and Indian business people, started in Belgrade yesterday in the presence of the president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, and the president of India, Droupadi Murmu. Vucic said that India was Serbia’s traditional friend and that there were numerous possibilities for the further progress of the economic cooperation of the two countries, so that the annual trade would reach EUR 1 billion.

He said that, in 2022, the trade between Serbia and India had amounted to EUR 327 million, and that, in the first quarter of 2023, it had increased 21%.

– Today, the world is put before serious challenges and it is therefore important to establish the best possible cooperation of Serbia and India. There are great potentials for that, primarily in the defense industry, the pharmaceutical industry, agriculture, construction, energy – Vucic said.

He pointed out that they would work on establishing visa exemptions and a direct air line between Belgrade and New Delhi, inciting the development of tourism.

– Our apples have found a place in the Indian market, I hope that berries will too – Vucic said.

He added that there were also talks about cooperation in cinematography.

– We are ready to help with additional subsidies, because we believe that it is good for both countries – Vucic said.

The president of the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia (CCIS), Marko Cadez, said that it was a great honor for the Indian president to be on a visit to Serbia after 50 years and added that it was not just politically, but also economically very important for the two countries.

The cooperation of Serbia and India so far, according to him, has been marked by modest trade and successful, but not so numerous investments of Indian companies and he hopes that this is the beginning of a new era.

– We want to attract investments in our manufacturing industry, to connect our IT sector with Indian science-tech companies, to learn from precious Indian experience, to connect our innovations, scientists, faculties – said Cadez.

He pointed out that Indian companies in Serbia could have good conditions for employment and incentives, as well as quality staff.

The forum is organized by the CCIS in cooperation with the Association of Indian Chambers of Commerce, with the support of the Embassy of India.

Predsedništvo Republike Srbije

Privredna komora Srbije

Ambasada Indije u Beogradu

Presidency of Serbia

Chamber of Commerce of Serbia

Association of Indian Chambers of Commerce

Embassy of India

Aleksandar Vucic

Droupadi Murmu

Marko Cadez

Serbian Indian Business Forum