Serbia makes a strong showing at Xiamen Fair, secures food export deals and promotes Free Trade Agreement

The 24th International Investment and Trade Fair has officially kicked off in Xiamen, marking the largest event of its kind globally. This year, the fair has attracted representatives from several thousand companies across approximately one hundred countries, including Serbia, which is presenting its national pavilion.

At the event’s opening, Serbia secured three contracts for the export of food products to China, including brandy and truffles. The Fair, held in Xiamen—one of the major ports on the South China Sea coast—welcomes business leaders, investors, and international representatives for its 24th edition. This year’s central theme is “Investment connects the world,” and Serbia’s pavilion aims to highlight its investment potential.

Unlike previous fairs where Serbia was featured as the guest of honor with four significant projects, this year’s focus will be on promoting the Free Trade Agreement between Serbia and China, which came into effect on July 1.

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Attracting Chinese SMEs

The primary objective for Serbia’s participation, according to the Serbian delegation, is to attract small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from China and provide insights into Serbia’s investment climate. Over the four-day fair, interested parties will have the opportunity to engage with representatives from Serbia’s Ministries of Economy and Trade, as well as business leaders who will explain the practical aspects of the free trade agreement.

Serbia’s Minister of Economy, Andrijana Mesarović, emphasized the significance of the free trade agreement, noting it creates favorable conditions for importing raw materials and semi-finished products from China, which can then be processed into finished goods with over 51 percent value addition. These products can subsequently be exported to markets where Serbia has signed similar agreements, including the European Union, EFTE, CEFTE, Turkey, Great Britain, the Eurasian Union, Egypt and potentially the United Arab Emirates.

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Contracts and future meetings

Following the fair’s opening, Serbia’s Ministry of Economy representatives signed three commercial contracts for the export of Serbian food products to China. The rest of the day will involve crucial meetings for the Serbian delegation, including discussions with the governor of Fujian province and representatives from the construction company CRBC.