In the first half of this year, China-Serbia bilateral trade reached $4.37 billion, up 45.5 percent year-on-year, according to data from the General Administration of Customs, with both imports and exports recording double-digit growth.

　　The China-Serbia Free Trade Agreement, which took effect in 2024, has become an important driver of economic ties.

　　"China is one of Serbia"s most important investment partners, but we now see the relationship entering a new phase," said Jelena. She said the greatest potential lies in a wide range of sectors, including advanced manufacturing, green energy and clean technologies, the automotive and e-mobility sectors, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, biotechnology, food processing and logistics.

　　At a time of rising protectionism, trade restrictions and fragmentation of the global economy, platforms that keep investment, trade and business cooperation open are becoming critical. Jelena said that we need stability, as well as leadership guided by a vision of a future that creates opportunities for all.

　　"CIFIT sends a particularly relevant message because it focuses on two-way investment. It creates opportunities for international companies in China, for Chinese companies seeking to expand internationally, and for partnerships between markets around the world," Jelena said.

　　Jelena said that this matters greatly for Serbia as "we are a relatively small, open and export-oriented economy, and our development depends on remaining connected to international markets, capital, technology and global value chains."