Macut: Serbia one of world’s most prepared countries for new tech challenges

DUBAI - Serbian PM Djuro Macut said on Tuesday that, at the World Governments Summit (WGS) in Dubai, Serbia had presented itself as one of the countries that were the most prepared for new technological challenges, above all, in the field of artificial intelligence.

"We belong in the small number of 20 per cent of the world's countries that possess such preparedness and react quickly," Macut told Serbian reporters in Dubai, where he is attending the WGS.

He said that, on the sidelines of the summit, he had had an opportunity to speak with the presidents of several countries, including Botswanan President Duma Boko and Angolan President Joao Lourenco, and noted that Serbia maintained strong, years-long ties with both Botswana and Angola and that there were opportunities for strengthening the cooperation in medicine, tourism and sports.

"I think that a great future lies in cooperation with African states, since they represent an independent category that is very open to communication with other markets, as well as with other countries," Macut said.

He said Serbia was exceptionally highly respected in the UAE as a result of years-long ties and a personal friendship between President Aleksandar Vucic and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and added that there were ample opportunities for development of Serbia-UAE relations in the future as well.

He noted that World Governments Summit 2026 had combined experiences in inter-governmental and inter-state relations with new trends in development of the economy and globality, above all, in the fields of IT and artificial intelligence.

"At the opening of today's summit, there was an exceptionally interesting and important panel discussion between the top managers of IBM and Ericsson - which represent a global trend in development of AI - and they sent a good message that a major transformation can be expected in the coming years and cited the example that advancement of large computers, large memory capacities and functionalities will bring a complete change as early as in 2029," Macut said.

Macut, Yango Group CEO discuss development of digital servic

DUBAI - Serbian PM Djuro Macut met on Tuesday in Dubai with Daniil Shuleyko, CEO of Yango Group, which operates Yandex services in Serbia, to discuss further development of digital services in Serbia and opportunities for advancement of cooperation in the field innovation and advanced technological solutions. Macut and Shuleyko met on the sidelines of World Governments Summit 2026.

"It was highlighted at the meeting that Yango Group employs around 1,400 people in Serbia and is one of the significant actors in the domestic IT and digital ecosystem," the Serbian government said in a statement.

"The interlocutors agreed that there is strong potential for further expansion of the company’s operations and for deepening cooperation with local partners.

Macut stressed that Serbia is ready to support all innovative initiatives that contribute to the modernisation of services and to improving the quality of life of its citizens.

The Prime Minister noted that, in light of the forthcoming international exhibition Expo 2027 in Belgrade, Serbia will continue with the maximum modernisation of urban and digital services, including solutions in the areas of mobility and taxi platforms.

The CEO of Yango Group thanked the Prime Minister of Serbia for the constructive discussion, emphasising Serbia’s strategic importance for the company. Shuleyko said that the company sees opportunities for further growth of its ecosystem in the country, with the support of local partners and the continuation of the digitalisation of key urban services on which cities rely on a daily basis.

The interlocutors agreed that digital transformation is one of the key drivers of development, and that strong partnerships between the state and innovative technology companies play an important role in achieving these goals," it also said.

Macut meets with Botswanan president in Dubai

DUBAI -Serbian PM Djuro Macut met with Botswanan President Duma Boko in Dubai on Tuesday to discuss strategic interests of the two countries and opportunities for further advancement of bilateral cooperation.

Macut and Boko met on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit.

"During the meeting, Botswana’s interest in cooperation with Serbia in the fields of education, healthcare and security was particularly highlighted, with an emphasis on the transfer of knowledge, experience and best practices in these sectors," the Serbian government said in a statement.

"Prime Minister Macut underlined Serbia’s readiness, based on decades of friendship and mutual trust, to contribute to the development of institutional and professional cooperation with Botswana.

The interlocutors assessed that today’s meeting represents a continuation of the intensive political dialogue between the two countries, further confirmed during the November meeting between Serbia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Djuric and Botswana’s Minister of International Relations Phenyo Butale, when mutual interest was expressed in deepening cooperation in the areas of the economy, agriculture, education, digital technologies and innovation.

Prime Minister Macut expressed gratitude to Botswana for its consistent support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Serbia, noting that such a principled stance constitutes a firm foundation for partnership relations and respect for international law.

The meeting confirmed that Serbia and Botswana are linked by more than five decades of friendly relations, based on shared values, solidarity and historical partnership dating back to the period of African nations’ struggle for independence," it said.

The parties said there was "significant potential for further strengthening cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally, in the interest of the citizens of both countries."

The meeting was also attended by Botswanan Minister of International Relations Phenyo Butale and Minister of Defence and Security Moeti Caesar.