In a significant event marking the strengthening of German-Serbian economic ties, the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (AHK Serbia) hosted its annual gala under the theme “Green is The New Art.”
The focus of the night was the joint commitment of both nations to the green agenda, particularly in the development of renewable energy sources and enhancing energy efficiency. Germany has established a strategic climate action partnership with Serbia and the Western Balkans, underlining the shared responsibility towards the planet and future generations.
AHK Serbia’s President, Milan Grujić, highlighted the Chamber’s role in representing over 440 member companies with more than 100,000 employees. He emphasized the event as a step towards embracing change for a better world.
Serbia’s Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Đedović Handanović, acknowledged Germany as Serbia’s key trading partner, major investor, and one of the largest donors, contributing nearly 1.5 billion euros since 2001 for the development and transformation of Serbia’s energy sector towards cleaner energy sources. The minister commended AHK Serbia’s pivotal role in strengthening economic links and supporting companies looking to invest or expand in the region.
German Ambassador to Serbia, Anke Konrad, noted that German investments in Serbia for 2023 are anticipated to reach 650 million euros, with a trade exchange expected to peak at 9 billion euros. She affirmed the strong economic connection between the two countries.
Vesna Prodanović, General Director of Konstruktor Group, the gala’s main partner, spoke about the rising environmental awareness and the company’s commitment to ecological construction standards and sustainability principles.
AHK Serbia plans to conduct projects, educational programs, and training focused on practical skills and “low carbon” events. The first of these initiatives is a “low carbon” roundtable, marking AHK’s pioneering efforts in Serbia, scheduled for January 26, 2024, a day after the gala. This event aims not only to facilitate idea exchange but also to measure and reduce CO2 emissions as part of a global effort to preserve the planet.