Serbia our next business partner?

SERBIA HAS played an important role in the growth of the Cyprus economy, making business with the Balkan country of the “utmost importance”, President Demetris Christofias said yesterday.

Speaking at the Cyprus-Serbia Business Forum attended by Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic, Christofias said: “Doing business with Serbia is of the utmost importance for our government. I encourage you to do business with Serbia.”

He noted that the relationship with Serbia “has played an important role in the growth of the Cyprus economy”, predicting that ties between the two countries would further deepen and grow.

“After all, our vision is for an even stronger presence of Serbian businesses and investments in Cyprus within the next years,” said Christofias.

The president called for Serbia’s EU accession negotiations to start as soon as possible. “It is time for any pretext to be demolished so that the Europeans move forward in a practical way,” he added.

Cvetkovic referred to “excellent bilateral relations” between the two countries, which could act as an umbrella for enhancing business relations between them.

He said Serbia expects to officially start accession negotiations with the EU this year and has already started to bring her systems in line with EU standards.

Addressing Cypriot business people, he said: “You can expect that the environment in Serbia is very close to what you are used to enjoying,” adding that “every day will be better than the day before”.

The Serbian PM noted his country’s favourable tax system, the fact that GDP growth rate is expected to reach three per cent in 2011 and Serbia’s access to the Russian, Belorussian and Kazakhstani markets due to bilateral free trade agreements in place.

“The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEVE) realises the great potential for economic collaboration with Serbia and promises to assist, promote and strengthen the business cooperation between the two countries,” said KEVE head Manthos Mavromatis.

Head of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce Milos Bugarin noted that over 50 per cent of Serbian exports are destined for EU countries.

Cvetkovic was due to leave Cyprus last night following a three-day official visit.

 

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.