Twenty Italian companies are participating in the International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad, Serbia, where they are being hosted in the “Italian Pavilion”, set up by the ICE (the Italian Agency for Foreign Trade) with the support of the Italian Embassy in Belgrade. The pavilion was opened yesterday by the Serbian Minister of Agriculture Branislav Nedimovic and Italian Ambassador Carlo Lo Cascio. The “Italian Pavilion” received a visit today from Prime Minister Ana Brnabic who, together with Ambassador Lo Cascio, met the Italian exhibitors. There will be several initiatives to promote the Country during the Fair, including a seminar on automation of fruit cultivation that will take place tomorrow, Thursday 17 May. The event is promoted by ICE and will see the participation of Italian companies and experts.
Italy and Serbia hold excellent trade relations, as demonstrated by trade data. In 2017, Italy was Serbia’s second ranked trading partner with 3.9-billion euros worth of trade, a 200-million increase compared to 2016. Such relations are particularly successful in the agri-food sector. Italy is ranked first for olive oil and pasta exports to Serbia, and is also first among EU Countries for wine exports to the Country.
This traditional cooperation between Italy and Serbia is also continually growing at an institutional level. In April, the Italian and Serbian Ministers of Agriculture signed a Memorandum of Understanding on plant health. Moreover, Italy supports Serbia’s process to join the European Union and its alignment with European regulations, also through two twinning projects in the agricultural sector. In conclusion, the International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad represents an opportunity for meetings and exchanges with experts who work in Serbia and the whole Balkan region.
