Agriculture to be “basis of economic development”

Serbian President Boris Tadic opened Saturday the 78th International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad. He stated that agriculture was one of the branches of economy that would be a future basis of Serbia's economic development, which would be aided by the expected food price rise in the world market. Agriculture to be “basis of economic development” He added that it would be“I believe in Serbia's strong commitment to the development of potentials of the agricultural and agrarian industry since these sectors can also contribute to the increase in employment rate,” Tadic said, stressing that the agricultural investments were increasingly lucrative. According to the president, Serbia, however, cannot finance the development of agriculture solely by the budget funds allocated for the agrarian needs and therefore the country needs to cooperate with business banks, foreign donors and financial institutions. He warned that even though the food price rise opened possibilities for the Serbian agriculture, it also represented a challenge to the preservation of the citizens' standard. The president welcomed a large number of agriculture ministers who came to the fair with the spotlight going to Portugal, which has been chosen for the fair's partner country this year. Portuguese Agriculture Minster Antonio Serrano said that apart from institutionalization of the two countries' cooperation via a number of agreements, Serbia and Portugal still had a lot to find out about each other and promote their relations. Serrano also stated that Serbia's EU integration process had full support of the Lisbon government. “The Portuguese government believes that the EU gets richer by enlargement, so you can count on Portugal's support, experience and knowledge in the EU integration process,” he noted. This year, the Novi Sad fair has gathered 1,500 exhibitors from about 60 countries across the world, and its opening was attended by agriculture ministers of 18 countries. Boris Tadic is seen at the International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad (Tanjug)

Agriculture to be “basis of economic development”

He added that it would be“I believe in Serbia's strong commitment to the development of potentials of the agricultural and agrarian industry since these sectors can also contribute to the increase in employment rate,” Tadić said, stressing that the agricultural investments were increasingly lucrative.

According to the president, Serbia, however, cannot finance the development of agriculture solely by the budget funds allocated for the agrarian needs and therefore the country needs to cooperate with business banks, foreign donors and financial institutions.

He warned that even though the food price rise opened possibilities for the Serbian agriculture, it also represented a challenge to the preservation of the citizens' standard.

The president welcomed a large number of agriculture ministers who came to the fair with the spotlight going to Portugal, which has been chosen for the fair's partner country this year.

Portuguese Agriculture Minster Antonio Serrano said that apart from institutionalization of the two countries' cooperation via a number of agreements, Serbia and Portugal still had a lot to find out about each other and promote their relations.

Serrano also stated that Serbia's EU integration process had full support of the Lisbon government.

“The Portuguese government believes that the EU gets richer by enlargement, so you can count on Portugal's support, experience and knowledge in the EU integration process,” he noted.

This year, the Novi Sad fair has gathered 1,500 exhibitors from about 60 countries across the world, and its opening was attended by agriculture ministers of 18 countries.