About 90 Japanese businesspeople from 52 companies and 70 guests from Serbia attended the “Investment Conference – Expo Osaka 2025.” Interest in Serbia as an investment destination has grown, especially following the announcement that Belgrade will host EXPO 2027.
Negoro Takayoshi from the Osaka Chamber of Commerce highlighted Serbia’s pavilion at EXPO 2025, which attracts visitors through its blend of innovation and cultural heritage. He noted Serbia’s strengths in the automotive and IT sectors and the recent growth of Japanese investments in the country.
Mio Kawada emphasized Japan’s special focus on Serbia, citing the country’s favorable startup ecosystem, IT sector, availability of English-speaking professionals, and strong economic growth.
Goran Pekez, president of the Japanese Business Alliance in Serbia, stressed Serbia’s unique geographic location, free trade agreements, qualified workforce, and strong government support as key investment factors.
Finance Minister Siniša Mali described Serbia as the third fastest growing economy in Europe, with macroeconomic stability, record foreign investment inflows, and an attractive business environment. He highlighted Serbia’s strategic location, access to a 2.8 billion-person market through free trade agreements, and 143 years of diplomatic ties with Japan.
Mali emphasized that over 3,000 people currently work in Japanese companies in Serbia and expressed a strong desire to attract more Japanese investors. He presented EXPO 2027 in Belgrade as a centerpiece of Serbia’s growth plan, alongside ongoing investments in infrastructure, energy, and agriculture.
He concluded by stressing Serbia’s stability, safety, and welcoming people, making it an ideal choice for investors seeking growth and an open market amid global challenges.
