Mali: EXPO foundation of further accelerated growth beyond 2027

BELGRADE - EXPO 2027 is a source of growth all countries are looking for, Serbian Finance Minister Sinisa Mali said on Thursday, noting that the specialised expo, which could draw more than 150 participant countries and millions of visitors to Belgrade, would set the foundation for Serbia's further accelerated economic growth and development beyond 2027.

"As far as Serbia is concerned, we have an event no one has - we have EXPO 2027, a once-in-a-generation event, an enormous opportunity for our companies, infrastructure development, as well as a non-material effect, because everyone will be talking about Serbia," Mali said at the unveiling of an EXPO 2027 scale model.

He said 104 countries had registered for the event but that the goal was to attract between 122 and 156 countries.

"We are working intensively, the entire government is working on this. All our activities, the activities of all ministers who travel and meet with representatives of other countries are aimed at countries confirming their participation in the EXPO. The goal is to have between 122 and 156 countries," Mali said, adding that the Belgrade EXPO would feature the highest number of exhibitors to date.

Asked by a reporter about the amount of money to be invested in the project, Mali reiterated the entire EXPO complex would cost around 1.2 bln euros to build.