The two-day Belgrade Economic Forum kicked off in Belgrade, attracting representatives from various countries, institutions and companies in the region. Tomislav Momirović, the Minister of Internal and Foreign Trade, emphasized that Serbia’s economic policy focuses on fiscal stability, investment encouragement, and macroeconomic stability, yielding tangible results.
“Despite the multidimensional crisis, Serbia has successfully maintained economic stability and built trust among consumers and investors, as shown by a cumulative real GDP growth of approximately 12% from 2020 to 2023, record foreign direct investment inflows, and ongoing increases in employment and wages in the private sector. We also have the highest level of foreign exchange reserves to date,” he stated.
Momirović noted that Serbia achieved a GDP growth rate of 4.0% in the second quarter of this year, with a projected growth of 3.8% for 2024. He expects further acceleration to 4-5% in the next two years, aligned with a new investment cycle and the Leap into the Future project – Serbia Expo 2027.
During the forum, other key speakers will include Goran Vesić, Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, and Jelena Begović, Minister of Science, Technological Development and Innovation. The event, held at the Metropol Hotel, aims to foster discussions that will stimulate growth, prosperity, and innovation in both Serbia and the region, featuring numerous influential figures from politics, economics, science, culture, and media.
Notable speakers include US Ambassador Christopher R. Hill, Emmanuel Joffre, Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, and ambassadors from Italy, Hungary, Austria, Canada, France and the UK.
A video message will be delivered by Jorgovanka Tabaković, Governor of the National Bank of Serbia, alongside addresses from members of the Fiscal Council, permanent representatives from the IMF and UNDP in Serbia, and the Secretary General of the Association of Banks of Serbia, Marina Papadakis, as well as IENE Energy Institute President and CEO Konstantinos Stambolis.
According to the organizers, “The forum serves as an ideal platform for networking, where open and constructive dialogue among prominent thinkers and leaders leads to solutions for overcoming challenges in uncertain times and helps shape the direction of political action towards a competitive and sustainable economy in Serbia and the region.”
