At the 33rd Kopaonik Business Forum held in Serbia, MK Group Chief Executive Officer Mihailo Janković outlined a strategic vision for the country’s economic expansion centered on robust investment activity, strengthening domestic capital formation, and scaling export-oriented industries. His remarks, delivered on a panel examining the investment climate from the perspective of business leaders, underscored persistent global shifts in capital flows and the importance of internal economic resilience for Serbia’s long-term growth trajectory.
Janković highlighted a notable decline in foreign direct investment (FDI) both globally and within Serbia in recent years, identifying a “different global investment cycle” that has seen net FDI inflows into Serbia fall from approximately EUR 4.5 billion between 2022 and 2024 to EUR 1.94 billion in the first 11 months of 2025. He argued that, in this environment of restrained foreign capital availability, domestic investment must play a central role in sustaining economic dynamism and competitiveness.
Describing investment as integral to MK Group’s corporate identity, Janković confirmed that the company is entering a new phase of expansion, planning to invest between EUR 1 billion and EUR 2 billion from 2026 to 2030 across its core business segments. He noted that over the past decade the group has already invested more than EUR 1 billion, and that the forthcoming investment cycle is designed to cement MK Group’s leading position in the Adria region’s agribusiness, energy and tourism sectors.
A significant share of these planned investments will be directed toward renewable energy projects, reflecting an alignment with broader sustainability and energy transition objectives, while more than EUR 200 million is earmarked to boost agricultural operations. Additional capital will be allocated to enhancing the group’s hospitality portfolio and developing premium tourism offerings, supporting growth in both domestic and regional visitor markets.
Janković also drew attention to Serbia’s export performance as a foundational element of economic strength. He pointed out that Serbia’s merchandise exports expanded by 293 % from 2010 to 2024, outpacing the nominal growth of GDP, which rose 153.6 % over the same period. This divergence, he argued, illustrates the critical role that export-oriented sectors play in creating new value, expanding market reach beyond domestic consumption, and reducing reliance on internal demand cycles.
To catalyze greater private domestic investment, Janković emphasized the need for policy measures that streamline administrative procedures and reduce labor-related burdens, making the business environment more predictable and competitive. He framed these reforms as essential for domestic firms to scale operations and engage more effectively with international markets, thereby enhancing Serbia’s overall economic resilience.
His participation at the forum — an event that regularly convenes government officials, international investors and corporate leaders — reaffirmed MK Group’s role as one of Serbia’s largest domestic investors and a long-term partner in regional economic development. The company’s investment strategy, anchored in domestic capital deployment and export competitiveness, reflects broader strategic priorities for sustaining growth amid shifting global investment patterns.
