Through the presentation of Serbian companies and Serbia’s investment potential, the Development Agency of Serbia (RAS) used the forum as an opportunity to foster new business connections and cooperation with partners from Central and Eastern Europe.

BUKOVEL, September 19, 2026 – The Development Agency of Serbia (RAS) participated in the Carpathian Economic Forum, held on September 18 and 19 in Bukovel, Ukraine, where Serbia’s investment potential, the capacities of its domestic economy, and opportunities for connecting Serbian companies with partners from Central and Eastern Europe were presented.

Serbia was represented at the forum through a joint presentation by the Development Agency of Serbia (RAS), the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS), and EXPO 2027 Belgrade, with the participation of Serbian companies, including Mind Park and Millennium Team. The business and exhibition zone showcased Serbia’s potential and projects by domestic companies in the fields of infrastructure, energy, industry, logistics, construction, and new technologies.

The Serbian exhibition stand was also visited by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Ukraine Serhii Koretskyi, who spoke with representatives of Serbian institutions and companies and familiarized themselves with the capacities of the Serbian economy and opportunities for future economic cooperation.

For Serbian companies, the forum provided an opportunity to connect with investors, institutions, and the regional business community, particularly in the fields of energy, transport and logistics, railway infrastructure, industry, construction, and digital solutions. Particular potential lies in projects related to the reconstruction and development of Ukraine, as well as opportunities for Serbian companies to become part of new regional value chains and cross-border business projects.

The Carpathian Economic Forum brought together more than 500 representatives of the business community and investors, along with government officials, international financial institutions, and other participants from the region. The forum featured an Investment Lab, a business and exhibition zone, as well as a trade fair where around 50 local producers and entrepreneurs presented their products and services.

Serbia’s participation in the forum took place as part of the first summit of the “Carpathian Eight” (C8), a new regional format bringing together Serbia, Ukraine, Romania, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary, with the participation of representatives of the European Union. The format aims to strengthen regional cooperation and connect the participating countries through joint projects in the fields of infrastructure, energy, trade, logistics, and investment.

Photo: TANJUG/Julija Bakić

President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, who participated in the Carpathian Initiative summit, highlighted the importance of the new format for opening new avenues of cooperation between Serbia and the countries of the region, particularly in the areas of energy and infrastructure connectivity. He also stated that Serbia’s trade with Ukraine increased by 42 percent in the first half of 2026.

RAS’s participation in the Carpathian Economic Forum is part of the Agency’s ongoing activities aimed at promoting Serbia as an investment and business destination, supporting the internationalization of the domestic economy, and connecting Serbian companies with international partners.