Belgrade, 27 January 2023 – Today Ljupco Nikolovski, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy of North Macedonia; Frida Krifca, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Growth and development of Albania; Boris Pasali'c, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry & Water Control over Republika Srpska; Branislav Nedimovi'c, Deputy Pm and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management; Goran Vesi'c, Town of Belgrade Deputy Mayor and Susan Fritz, USAID Serbia Mission Director officially opened the third Agro Belgrade fair, the leading regional fruit, vegetable, and wine trade fair and conference at which a lot more than 500 fruit, vegetable, and wine industry firms will showcase their products and services. Agro Belgrade is organized with support of the Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, the town of Belgrade Secretariat for Agriculture, and the USAID Competitive Economy project.
“I am glad that we're only at that kind of event for the third time. In 2023, Serbia exported one billion euros of fruit and veggies! These are the things we used to dream about. And there's no limit. We are opening new markets and moving on. One of the opportunities for those that's the Open Balkans. Because of the colleagues who worked on it with me in the last months, without one, it would not have worked. Because of USAID for supporting competitive agriculture in Serbia“, said Branislav Nedimovi'c, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management.
Apart from Spanish, Dutch, Italian, and Swiss firms, this season 25 exhibitors from North Macedonia and Albania, whose participation is made possible with support from USAID's regional Economic Development, Governance and Enterprise Growth Project, are attending the fair.
“I am delighted to get the chance to help open this important event for that Serbian agricultural sector because agribusinesses have so much possibility to contribute even more towards the country's economic growth. Agro Belgrade is on its way to being a very important gathering for the whole region. High-profile trade events like this across Europe and the Usa used to be reserved for select firms that can afford them. We've a celebration which brings buyers to Serbia, much nearer to a bigger quantity of firms here. Which means that more Serbian companies could make international connections, that will drive growth in the sector and create further opportunities for companies,” said Susan Fritz, USAID Mission Director for Serbia.
“This year, we'll invest 2 million euros for subsidies for agriculture, in addition to the subsidies supplied by the Republic. We will still pay attention to agriculture within the next period because it is one of the five pillars of Belgrade’s development plan”, said Goran Vesi'c, Deputy Mayor of Belgrade. It is important that we are all together today, the Republic of Serbia, the Republic of Albania, the Republic of Northern Macedonia, said Vesi'c and added that these are three countries which have united towards a much better future together.
The Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Northern Macedonia, Ljupco Nikolovski, expressed satisfaction with this particular initiative and noticed that he was very glad that products from Northern Macedonia could reach consumers in Serbia quickly, without customs duties and additional complications.
Agro Belgrade helps exhibitors exchange experiences and forge new business partnerships, and provides a chance for all visitors to take part in a comprehensive three-day conference schedule alongside top experts and leading companies in the sector.
