Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic on Saturday invited Azerbaijani businessmen to invest in Serbia, stressing that the friendship between the two countries and his word will serve as a guarantee for their business.
“Serbia today is a big construction site. In a short time, we have have managed to redefine our development goals and the basis for their realization. We have done everything to create a stable and predictable business environment in which you too will find your place,” said Nikolic.
According to Nikolic, Serbia’s advantages over other countries are a highly educated and qualified workforce, an excellent geographical location, stimulative tax policy and good legislation.
Recalling that the two countries signed a strategic partnership declaration on Friday, Nikolic said he could not “let anyone from Azerbaijan be cheated.”
He said Serbia recognizes the jurisdiction of the Washington foreign investors court, which is more proof it wants to protect them.
“We invite you to come to Serbia. Our door is open to you. We are expecting you,” said the president.
He said the political relations between Serbia and Azerbaijan are excellent, but in the economic arena “we can and must do a lot more.”
Recalling that a Corridor 11 section paid for with a loan from the government of Azerbaijan was currently under construction, Nikolic expressed hope this will be “just an overture for future mutually beneficial projects.”
Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economic Development Shahin Mustafayev expressed hope Nikolic’s visit and the business forum will contribute to the development of economic relations between the two countries.
Around 50 major Azerbaijani companies in the energy, infrastructure and the food industries took part in the forum.
Predrag Mikic, an economic advisor to the Serbian president, presented three investment opportunities to the businessmen at the forum: Vrnjacka Banja spa resort, a free zone between Cacak and Kraljevo including the Ladjevci airport, and the Stavalj mine and hydro power plant near the border with Montenegro.
The president explained that in Serbia, an investor can own land and real estate, depending on the size of the investment.
After his address at the forum, Nikolic visited the Serbian Embassy in Baku and rounded off his visit to Azerbaijan with a tour of the Old City.
Source Tanjug
