At the Kopaonik Business Forum, Mihailo Janković, the General Director of MK Group, emphasized the importance of adopting a ten-year agricultural strategy for Serbia. This strategy would clearly define goals and outline the steps needed to achieve them.
According to Janković, the application of modern technologies, innovation, investments, and the consolidation of agricultural holdings are crucial for Serbia’s economic growth. He discussed these themes during the panel titled “Serbia as a High-Yield Economy – Is It Achievable?” organized by MK Group. Janković also highlighted that the company will continue to focus on its core sectors: agriculture, tourism, real estate, and renewable energy.
When asked about the sector with the greatest potential, Janković stated that energy is a key area for growth. However, he also noted Serbia’s vast potential in IT services. He identified three key factors for Serbia’s economic success: capital, people, and innovation. Janković shared that MK Group has already invested 1.6 billion euros over the first 40 years of its existence and plans to invest an additional 1.6 billion euros in the next three years.
“We have quality people, but we need more skilled staff,” Janković remarked. He also highlighted the global relevance of artificial intelligence, emphasizing that while AI is a hot topic, it still requires human oversight. He stressed the need for specialized staff to increase efficiency and productivity. Innovation, he added, is central to MK Group’s culture and its entrepreneurial approach. Janković firmly believes that maintaining a spirit of innovation at the national level is essential, as the world is changing rapidly, and adaptability and continuous learning will be key.
Looking at Serbia’s economic outlook, Janković mentioned that according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) projections, Serbia’s GDP is expected to grow by 4.1% this year, significantly outpacing the global average growth rate of 3.2%. If this forecast holds true, it would mark the second consecutive year in which Serbia’s GDP growth outperforms the global average.
Janković attributed this growth to the increase in domestic demand, while emphasizing the importance of exports. He noted that exports have the greatest long-term potential to drive economic growth, and he stressed the need for more companies in Serbia to export to various markets. Despite last year’s economic growth across all sectors, he pointed out that agriculture was the only sector that did not contribute to the increase in GDP.
In line with its commitment to green energy transition and the circular economy, MK Group’s representatives also participated in panels at the Kopaonik Business Forum, focusing on renewable energy investments. As a leader in the renewable energy sector, MK Group plays a key role in Serbia’s energy transformation. The company is also a recognized economic leader in the Adriatic region, having contributed to the national economy through investments in agriculture, tourism, and renewable energy for over four decades.
The Kopaonik Business Forum continues to serve as an important platform for discussing economic trends, sharing ideas, and shaping the vision for Serbia’s future development. MK Group’s ongoing involvement in the forum reflects its commitment to contributing to the success of Serbia’s economy.
