Publicat pe 13/04/2023

Belgrade, April 13, 2023: The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania (CCIR), in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture Timiș (CCIAT), organized on Thursday, April 13^th, in Belgrade, the Serbia – Romania Business and Investment Forum.

The main theme of the Forum was the development of bilateral relations between the two states, such as strengthening the presence of Romanian companies on the Serbian market and attracting new investments to Romania. 31 Romanian and 43 Serbian companies participated in the event.

“Over time, CCIR has managed to contribute to the constant growth and development of ties between Romania and the Republic of Serbia, thus marking the importance and usefulness of chambers of commerce and industry in strengthening international economic and commercial relations. At the end of 2022, the value of trade reached 2.6 billion euros, of which approximately 1.4 billion euros represent Romanian exports and approximately 1.1 billion euros represent Romanian imports from Serbia. In addition, the total value of service exchanges reached, in 2021, the value of 163.6 million euros. Currently, 760 Serbian companies are active in Romania, with a social capital of approximately 26 million euros. We consider it necessary to focus even more closely on joint projects aimed at sustaining and developing the existing economic relations of our countries. Initiatives such as: business forums, trade missions and Business 2 Business sessions will stimulate dialogue between Romanian and Serbian companies willing to develop and expand their activity. Regarding cooperation within international organizations, CCIR is engaged in achieving closer cooperation with Serbian partners within the Association of Balkan Chambers (ABC) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation of the Black Sea (OCCEN)”, said the president of CCIR, Mr. Mihai Daraban.

“For the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, it is very important to develop an intensive collaboration with the CCIR, considering the active involvement of this organization in European profile structures. And here, I am primarily referring to the Three Seas Initiative (3SI), a platform we want to join with the support of our Romanian colleagues. As you know, 3SI has as its main objective the promotion of economic cooperation between the states of the region. Therefore, membership of this forum can facilitate better business and investment opportunities for Serbia. Also, participation in 3SI can enhance bilateral relations with the other member states, which can lead to better understanding and cooperation in different fields, especially if we refer to energy security or digital connectivity. Thus, I benefit from the presence of the president of the CCIR, Mr. Mihai Daraban, at this event to directly convey to him the request to facilitate Serbia’s access to this platform, knowing very well the very important role of CCIR within 3SI”, said Mr. Mihailo Vesović, director of the strategic analysis, services and internationalization sector of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.