First Swiss hotel in Belgrade ready for guests - Switzerland among top ten investors in Serbia

(at the conference)

The first Swiss hotel Holiday Inn Express in Belgrade, which is situated in Ruzveltova Street, will receive first guests tomorrow, Klaudio Soare, the vice president of the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (SSCC) and the CEO of Holcim Serbia, announced at today's press conference occassioned by the SSCC's anniversary.

Switzerland is one of top 10 investors in Serbia and in the last decade it has invested more than EUR500mn. Serbia has also been recognized as a good business destination by the largest Swiss companies such as Holcim, Nestle, Roche, Sika, SGS, Novartis, Sicpa, Sandoz Pharmaceuticals, and Ringier Axel Springer, among other.

Marking the first anniversary of this institution’s activities, the role of the Chamber, which was established upon an initiative of the Swiss business community and with support of the Embassy of Switzerland in Belgrade, as a mediator in presenting the business environments and opportunities of the two countries has been underlined.

- A good start of this Chamber is a clear sign that the Swiss business community believes in the future of Serbia. Last year the trade exchange volume has been increased by 9,5%, and has been growing since, which is a good starting point and recommendation for new investors and exchange of experience. With the initiated reforms and establishment of stronger business stability and certainty, I expect new investments as well,” noted Ambassador of Switzerland to Serbia H.E. Jean-Daniel Ruch.

The Chamber founders include the largest Swiss companies which have made significant investments in Serbia in the previous period.

- We are proud of our members for recognizing Serbia as a good investment destination, improving the business climate in Serbia and respecting all business standards - said SSCC President Marinko Ukropina, SGS Managing Director, adding that the highest prospects for economic cooperation lie in the areas of metal processing and energy industry, IT industry, and textile and agricultural and food industry as well.

After the seminar in the Geneva Chamber of Commerce in April, organised by the SSCC under the title “Serbia: Your New Business Destination”, a large volume of inquiries of Swiss companies regarding business conditions in Serbia have been received, and the Chamber has accepted new members – companies from Switzerland.

At a large-scale business forum in Zurich on June 16, which will be attended by Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, business opportunities in Serbia will be presented to Swiss companies, and the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce will present its plans regarding connecting companies.

There is a plenty of room in Serbia for the arrival of Swiss SME's, the officials of the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce concluded.