Saudi Arabia and Serbia are redefining the scope of their bilateral ties, with economic cooperation significantly complementing longstanding diplomatic ties.
Building New Economic Bridges
As part of a mutual agenda, Riyadh and Belgrade are broadening their partnership across strategic sectors including energy, technology, agriculture and food, as increasing trade and investment ambitions create new points of connection between both nations.
The relationship is also gaining a new momentum with Belgrade set to host EXPO 2027 and Riyadh to follow with EXPO 2030. The two countries, therefore, will have successive opportunities to showcase their capabilities, exchange expertise and build networks that could evolve into new partnerships and projects.
Could Business Bring Riyadh and Belgrade Closer?
The latest push to deepen Saudi-Serbian ties was marked by an important meeting in Belgrade between Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji and Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Duric.
Remarkably, the talks culminated in an agreement to waive visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and official passports. This move is expected to streamline official exchanges and open new avenues for bilateral cooperation.
The discussions also reflected the expanding economic agenda between Riyadh and Belgrade. Both sides explored opportunities for joint energy projects, as well as cooperation in information and communications technology, advanced technologies, agriculture and the food industry.
More significantly, the meeting delved into multiple ways to further expand the presence of Serbian companies in the Saudi market and boosting investment by Saudi partners in Serbia.
Enhancing this momentum, more than 50 Serbian companies are expected to take part in the Saudi Food exhibition in Jeddah later this month.
Reviving a Shared Diplomatic Legacy
Apart from trade and investment, Saudi Arabia and Serbia are reviving a shared diplomatic heritage through a series of initiatives. The talks in Belgrade saw the launch of Digital Non-Aligned, a Film Festival of the Non-Aligned Movement, and an international seminar designed for young diplomats from member states.
These initiatives are part of commemorations marking the 65th anniversary of the movement’s inaugural conference, which Belgrade hosted in 1961.
Turning EXPO Experience Into Opportunity
The EXPO calendar has the potential to emerge as a defining chapter in Saudi-Serbian cooperation.
Serbian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dragan Bizenic described collaboration around EXPO 2027 Belgrade and EXPO 2030 Riyadh as key avenue for deepening bilateral relations, pointing to the meeting between Elkhereiji and Jagoda Lazarevic, Serbia’s Minister of Foreign Trade and commissioner of EXPO 2027.
He also considers the two exhibitions as more than global showcases. By hosting successive world expos, both Belgrade and Riyadh have an exclusive opportunity to gain unparalleled expertise and international networks, paving the way for new partnerships and concrete projects between the two countries.
Saudi Arabia as a Strategic Economic Partner
Bizenic casted a wider lens over Saudi Arabia’s growing importance to Serbia, noting that the Serbian foreign minister labeled the Kingdom as “one of Serbia’s key economic and political partners in the Arab world.”
In this context, the ambassador also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s G20 and OPEC+ membership, its influence on global energy markets and its roughly 16% share of the world’s oil reserves as key factors driving its economic and strategic weight.
That is why Bizenic sees substantial room for economic expansion. By encouraging greater investment, expanding business projects and bringing the two countries’ private sectors closer together, stronger Saudi-Serbian ties could help Serbia deepen its economic presence across the region.
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