BELGRADE - September 2009

A trade mission to Belgrade was jointly organised with Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce in October 2008. It was attended by SA Ambassador Mrs Marasha and National Heritage Council CEO with their Serbian counterparts and 15 individual business people from South Africa.

The results:
- Negotiations have commenced with Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market and a Serbian distribution agent (approx R50m for year 2009/10)
- Also attracting buyers from, Croatia, Poland, Ukraine and Russia imminently due in SA to initiate negotiations
- Belgrade City wishes to initiate city to city relationships with SA cities.
- Belgrade City wishes to host a trade mission and exhibition in a SA city
- Trade has been initiated in the gift industry to the region supplying South African hand crafts

The Belgrade office has received enquiries for:
- Furniture and textiles
- Dried fruit
- South African wines and liquors
- Mining machinery and equipment
- Leisure items such as boats, jet ski’s etc
- Jewellery
- Building materials and equipment

The afore mentioned items are direct results from a very small initiative and effort.

Some facts about the host city:
- Belgrade is the capital of Serbia
- Voted “City of the Future” in southern Europe
- Highly developed infrastructure
- Hub of road, rail and river transport, as well as telecommunications for the region
- Access to surrounding region 65 million people within 4 hours drive
- Intellectual, educational and cultural capital of the region
- Rapidly developing region
- Stable & growing economy
- We have the official support and commitment of Belgrade City
- One of the ancient cities of Europe
- Capital of Serbian culture and art
- Serbian Academy of Arts & Sciences
- National Library of Serbia
- National Theatre – University of Arts
- Site of cultural monuments and treasures
- Founder of 36 cultural institutions
- 11 theatres
- 8 institutions for protection of cultural values
- 4 libraries
- 13 cultural centres & galleries
- Contributor and scheduler of 231 institution events