The value of the exports of Serbian companies to Switzerland is close to EUR 140 million, and there is still room for a further improvement of the cooperation, especially in the food industry and IT, stated the minister of economy of Serbia, Slobodan Cvetkovic.
Taking part in the round table with the Swiss business community, which was organized by Embassy of Switzerland in Belgrade and the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, he said that, with its global reputation of excellence in the fields of finance, technologies and innovations, Switzerland was a natural partner for Serbia.
Cvetkovic pointed out that Serbia recorded a considerable growth in various industries, including IT, agriculture, renewable energy and manufacture, and that Swiss companies, known for their enormously innovative spirit and quality, were well positioned to look into the possibilities in these sectors, as announced on the website of the Government of Serbia.
The minister also pointed out that Serbia had a big diaspora in Switzerland, giving even more value to the cooperation between the two countries and showing unity in advocating an increase in investments made by Swiss partners in Serbia.
– We are ready to support Swiss investors in the realization of their investment projects, but also in protecting the acquired rights – Cvetkovic said. He expressed his conviction that the excellent bilateral cooperation between Serbia and Switzerland would continue and be boosted on all levels.
The Swiss ambassador to Serbia, Urs Schmid, pointed out that, from 2010 until the first quarter of 2023, the inflows based on the investments of Swiss residents in Serbia had amounted to EUR 2.15 billion, whereby that state had reached the 6th spot on the list of the countries with the biggest net investments by non-residents in that period in Serbia.
Mr. Majo Mićović, SSCC President, spoke about the activities of the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, including the focus on digitalization, joint events with Switzerland Global Enterprise and the cooperation with the Serbian educational system. This is largely due to the Serbian ICT sector, as the country’s fastest-growing industry. Last year that Serbia has been recognized as a net exporter of IT services to Switzerland, he pointed out.
The benefits of the dual education system were also presented on this occasion. Two SSCC member-companies are already in the dual education system: Nestle and Standard Furniture Serbia, Mr. Mićović pointed out.
