President to Chinese businesspeople: Welcome to Serbia

ZHEJIANG Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic, who is on a several-day visit to China, on Wednesday called on country's business community to invest in Serbia. According to reports he added that "deep and true friendship between the two peoples will be the guarantor of their business." President to Chinese businesspeople: Welcome to Serbia The president conferred with Chinese businesspeople at an investment forum in Zhejiang province which has 56 million inhabitants and almost three million private companies. Every 20th citizen of the province is a business person. We have 6.4 million entrepreneurs in our country who are from this province, and there are a million and a half of them across the world, mainly in Europe, including Serbia, Zhejiang Governor Li Qiang noted. We had a USD 300 billion worth exchange with the world last year, 6,000 companies were opened abroad and we have USD 17 billion of investments across the world, Li stated. Serbia is a very important country in the Balkans with good-natured people, vital economy and prospects for development. We are interested in long-term relations between Serbia and Zhejiang, we want to intensify and deepen our economic exchange and trade, the governor stressed. President Nikolic pointed out that Serbs can learn a lot from China, above all about how China did not neglect its businesspeople in difficult times it went through, because it is aware this is the way to protect its citizens. "Serbia did not protect its economy, it let its companies get ruined through privatization and the people of a country rich in resources come to the brink of disaster," he said. Bearing in mind the two people's deep and true friendship, it is understandable that developed and prosperous Chinese economy, which has the entire planet as its market, treats cooperation with Serbia with respect and affection, Nikolic stated. According to him, the investment forum is an indicator of friendly relations and political harmony between the two countries, but also of opportunities for even more comprehensive economic cooperation. "This cooperation is already good, but it is not even close to what it could be. Talks with the highest officials demonstrate readiness and willingness to do much more in this field. We are today ahead of a historic chance to lay the foundations for a new and better Serbia, largely by following your example as well," President Nikolic underlined. He noted that some important aspects of the two countries' economies are compatible, adding that Serbia has significant industrial resources that could be utilized in the best possible way. Nikolic noted that Serbia is today a major building site, adding that strategic goals have been redefined, and foundations laid for their realization. He stressed that the realization of big projects in the sectors of road infrastructure, energy, agriculture and tourism is underway. "These projects are a driving force of our economy and guarantor of our future development. I am inviting you to take part in them," Nikolic said, underscoring that Serbia has done everything to create a stable business environment in which rules are known in advance and applied to all. According to Nikolic, Serbia's advantages are highly-educated and skilled workforce, excellent geographic position, favorable tax policy and regulations, and access to many markets thanks to free trade agreements. "Come to Serbia. May our friendship and my word be a guarantee for your safe business dealings in Serbia. For our part, we will do everything to make you feel good in Serbia and ensure that your investments are safe and successful," Nikolic said. Governor Li said that he will encourage entrepreneurs of Zhejiang to invest in Serbia and voiced expectation that all proposed projects will be realized quickly. He noted that five companies with a seat in Zhejiang are doing business in Serbia, and that entrepreneurs want to invest in our country, adding that investments of successful Serbian companies are also welcome. The sectors with highest investment prospects are road infrastructure, automotive industry, telecommunications and household appliances. Prior to the investment forum, Nikolic and Li had a separate meeting, and the Serbian president also talked with party officials of the Zhejiang province earlier in the day. Chinese officials organized a tour of West Lake, a tourist attraction in the city of Hangzhou, for the Serbian president, his spouse and the state delegation. (Beta, file) Tanjug

President to Chinese businesspeople: Welcome to Serbia

The president conferred with Chinese businesspeople at an investment forum in Zhejiang province which has 56 million inhabitants and almost three million private companies. Every 20th citizen of the province is a business person.

We have 6.4 million entrepreneurs in our country who are from this province, and there are a million and a half of them across the world, mainly in Europe, including Serbia, Zhejiang Governor Li Qiang noted.

We had a USD 300 billion worth exchange with the world last year, 6,000 companies were opened abroad and we have USD 17 billion of investments across the world, Li stated.

Serbia is a very important country in the Balkans with good-natured people, vital economy and prospects for development. We are interested in long-term relations between Serbia and Zhejiang, we want to intensify and deepen our economic exchange and trade, the governor stressed.

President Nikolić pointed out that Serbs can learn a lot from China, above all about how China did not neglect its businesspeople in difficult times it went through, because it is aware this is the way to protect its citizens.

"Serbia did not protect its economy, it let its companies get ruined through privatization and the people of a country rich in resources come to the brink of disaster," he said.

Bearing in mind the two people's deep and true friendship, it is understandable that developed and prosperous Chinese economy, which has the entire planet as its market, treats cooperation with Serbia with respect and affection, Nikolić stated.

According to him, the investment forum is an indicator of friendly relations and political harmony between the two countries, but also of opportunities for even more comprehensive economic cooperation.

"This cooperation is already good, but it is not even close to what it could be. Talks with the highest officials demonstrate readiness and willingness to do much more in this field. We are today ahead of a historic chance to lay the foundations for a new and better Serbia, largely by following your example as well," President Nikolić underlined.

He noted that some important aspects of the two countries' economies are compatible, adding that Serbia has significant industrial resources that could be utilized in the best possible way.

Nikolić noted that Serbia is today a major building site, adding that strategic goals have been redefined, and foundations laid for their realization. He stressed that the realization of big projects in the sectors of road infrastructure, energy, agriculture and tourism is underway.

"These projects are a driving force of our economy and guarantor of our future development. I am inviting you to take part in them," Nikolić said, underscoring that Serbia has done everything to create a stable business environment in which rules are known in advance and applied to all.

According to Nikolić, Serbia's advantages are highly-educated and skilled workforce, excellent geographic position, favorable tax policy and regulations, and access to many markets thanks to free trade agreements.

"Come to Serbia. May our friendship and my word be a guarantee for your safe business dealings in Serbia. For our part, we will do everything to make you feel good in Serbia and ensure that your investments are safe and successful," Nikolić said.

Governor Li said that he will encourage entrepreneurs of Zhejiang to invest in Serbia and voiced expectation that all proposed projects will be realized quickly.

He noted that five companies with a seat in Zhejiang are doing business in Serbia, and that entrepreneurs want to invest in our country, adding that investments of successful Serbian companies are also welcome.

The sectors with highest investment prospects are road infrastructure, automotive industry, telecommunications and household appliances.

Prior to the investment forum, Nikolić and Li had a separate meeting, and the Serbian president also talked with party officials of the Zhejiang province earlier in the day.

Chinese officials organized a tour of West Lake, a tourist attraction in the city of Hangzhou, for the Serbian president, his spouse and the state delegation.