I’m sure 2023 will bring many challenges, as in years past, but I am optimistic that, by working together, Americans and Serbians will not only continue to find creative solutions to overcome those challenges, but to turn them into opportunities ~ Christopher Hill
By nature, I’m an optimist. That’s why I’m a diplomat, because the work of a diplomat is to look forward and to find solutions to tough problems. My confidence about Serbia’s future, and the future of this region, was one of the reasons I took this role, and I see many reasons to look forward to 2023. First among them are the business partnerships between Serbia and the United States that are growing stronger and stronger. Serbia recently hosted 27 American IT and clean energy firms who made up our first bilateral trade mission in 20 years. Innovative American companies like the electric vehicle maker Rivian are opening offices here because they recognise the wealth of talent available in Serbia and how much Serbia’s next generation has to offer in working in partnership with the West.
The U.S. Development Finance Corporation is guaranteeing hundreds of millions of dollars in loans to help promising Serbian SMEs get up and running, and linked into more lucrative markets, while USAID is working to help Serbia find smarter energy solutions. And we are investing in Serbia’s young people too – through exchange programmes, mentoring, networking and more through our new youth leadership development programme, BOLD. I’m sure 2023 will bring many challenges, as in years past, but I am optimistic that, by working together, Americans and Serbians will not only continue to find creative solutions to overcome those challenges, but to turn them into opportunities for both our countries and all our people to flourish.
