Mali visits Saudi Arabia, presents opportunities for investing in Serbia

RIYADH - Serbian Finance Minister Sinisa Mali met with the acting director-general of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, in Riyadh on Wednesday to present Serbia's economic results and potentials for investing in the country and discuss opportunities for boosting Serbia-Saudi Arabia cooperation.

"We presented Serbia in the best possible light, there is great potential for cooperation, and, in particular, there is interest in investing in infrastructure, energy and agriculture," Mali said after the meeting.

According to a statement released by his ministry, Mali noted that further growth of FDI inflow, in which Serbia is the regional leader, would benefit the country's neighbours, too.

He announced that SFD representatives would visit Serbia within a month's time.

"That will be the next concrete step after today's discussions. I want us to show them everything we discussed so that they can see for themselves the great investment opportunities Serbia is offering," Mali said.

He said Serbia was seeing growth of FDI inflow. "It is no coincidence that we registered over 3.4 bln euros of FDI in the first ten months of this year. Investors are capable of recognising our efforts and we want to continue at the same pace because investments are necessary for us to maintain the growth we are seeing," Mali noted.

Mali and Al-Marshad also discussed the Open Balkan initiative as Saudi Arabia already has active projects in the Western Balkans.

The meeting marked the start of Mali's two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, during which he will also meet with Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb and Finance Minister Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan. Mali will also attend the 22nd World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit.