Regional Chamber of Commerce in Kruševac organized a meeting with the business delegation of Greece, with the aim of establishing a stronger cooperation between the entrepreneurs of Rasina District and Thessaloniki Region. On that occasion, Mayor Ivan Manojlović and Deputy Mayor Snežana Radojković hosted Consul General of Republic of Serbia in Thessaloniki, Mrs. Jelena Vujić Obradović. A work meeting was held in RRC, after which the discussion was continued in the City Hall.
The guests were greeted by Mayor Manojlović, emphasizing the deeply rooted brotherly, friendly, and spiritual relations between the Greek and Serbian people, and the historical support Serbia had always had from Greece. Additionally, Mayor mentioned that Thessaloniki was a city with a special place and importance in the nation’s history.
RCC Director Maja Marković stated that around 250 Greek companies successfully operated their bussineses in Serbia, with stability and clear perspective. Currently, they employ more than 12000 people and have established a base for European and global market in Serbia. Vice versa, 150 companies that have their roots in Rasina District operate in Greece, with the trend rising.
Economic data was presented by the representative of the Department of Economy of the Embassy of Greece in Serbia, Mr. Andonis Katepodis.
Mr. Katepotis stated that the Greece exported goods worth 558 million euros to Serbia in 2024, while Serbia’s export was at around 360 million. The service trade between the countries was appraised at 530 million euros (tourism, logistics, financial and business services). As for direct Greek investments, they are worth 2,2 billion euros, with Mr. Katepotis providing an example of two Greek companies having a stake worth 25 million euros in Serbia’s industry and logistics market. He added that Greek companies showed committment and resilience through their business practices in Serbia, proving that the country’s market is one worth investing in long-term.
“Serbia offers a competitive industrial dynamic, strategic geographic location, qualified workforce, and attractive manufacturing conditions. Greece offers entry to EU markets, large mediterranean harbors, developed network of logistics, sea expertise, and strong energy infrastructure. That is the best possible way of connecting West Balkans, Europe, and Mediterranean region. Cooperation in the field of energy is significant, opening a long-term investing possibilities in commercially sustainable projects that could contribute to regional development. Tourism and hospitality service are also one of the strongest bridges, and Greek hospitality and hotel brands are looking at the Serbian increasing market more and more.
We have a competitive IT field, various options in software, digital tech…”, continued the representative of the Department of Economy of the Embassy of Greece in Serbia.
One of the stances that all could agree on was that EXPO 2027, due in 2027 in Belgrade, was an excellent opportunity for further cooperation.
Before the meeting continued in the Mayor’s Office, Mayor Manojlović reminded the media that Kruševac was visited by a great number of diplomats and important business delegations, starting from China, Slovakia, and Greece. As for this visit, the aim was increasing economic relations, and, as the Mayor put it, discussions about working together in the education and cultural spheres (secondary schools, universities, theater, and so on), in addition to other, various common spheres. Mayor also talked about the current construction of the Regional Industrial-Tech Park, as one similar existed in Thessaloniki, so there was one additional field both parties could establish a network in, collaborating in both scientific and business sense.
“Republic of Serbia and Republic of Greece are brothers and friends”, stated Consul General Jelena Vujić Obradović. “We are intensely working in strengthening the economic, tourist, cultural, diplomatic, and political relations. City of Kruševac is developing quite nicely and at a steady pace, it has a lot to offer to Greece in its full capacity. So far, the cooperation is mostly based on small and medium enterprises. Kruševac is expected to sign two more important Agreements in the future, and it will be one of the main cities for the grand intenational project called “Through the Roads of Alexander the Great”, which will be realized next year.
I have noticed, with great happiness, that Kruševac, as a historic city, continues to have a grand vision in contemporary times, a vision that current Minister of Defense, a Kruševac-native Bratislav Gašić fought for, and still supports”, concluded Consul General.
