12 December 2019

Council President Nikolić talks to the government and economic delegates from the City of Wuxi

President of the National Council for Coordination of Cooperation with the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China Tomislav Nikolić had a meeting with the government and economic delegates from China’s City of Wuxi.

Photograph: National Council

“Owing to the Chinese investments made primarily in infrastructural projects, Serbia and China have achieved great results, but we have also developed cooperation in other areas and now we are moving onto a new level of cooperation – joint production for third markets. I know that you have a visit to Kragujevac on your tomorrow’s agenda in order to explore the existing investment opportunities. Kragujevac is synonymous with Serbian history and with the industrial development of Serbia. Kragujevac is open to every form of cooperation with China, but I may say so for all other Serbian cities as well. Serbia boasts huge opportunities for deepening its collaboration with China in all areas of mutual interest. I have been informed that there are more than 2000 Wuxi-based IT companies the revenue of which makes up around 20% of the overall state-level income generated by IT. I highly respect your breakthrough in IT, I wish you to develop further, while securing a better life for your citizens”, Council President Nikolić underlined.

“The Chinese are aware that the Sino-Serbian relations have been strongly cemented owing to your contribution and to your friendship with China’s President Xi Jinping. Wuxi’s influence in China stems from its commercial power and economic development. Our city ranks 14th in China GDP-wise, being home to many companies that particularly excel in IT. Wuxi’s foreign trade amounted to $93 billion in 2018. Owing to the Belt and Road initiative many of our companies are ready to invest abroad, and we are particularly interested in investing in friendly Serbia. The Wuxi-based companies are highly motivated, and the local authorities are ready for that step. During our visit to Serbia and to Kragujevac in particular, we aim to learn as much as possible about the investment opportunities in order to pass on the information to our city’s entrepreneurs upon our return”, Head of the Chinese delegation Chen Minghui said.