Trade Relations

ATHENS – October 30, 2026 -- Greek and Serbian business and tourism representatives met in Athens for a B2B networking event ahead of EXPO 2027 Belgrade, as Serbia-Greece bilateral goods trade stood at €883.9 million in 2025, according to Serbia's Ministry of Internal and Foreign Trade.

EXPO 2027 Belgrade runs 93 days with more than 140 confirmed participants

Igor Kovačević, Chief Operating Officer of EXPO 2027 Belgrade, presented the exhibition, the first Specialised Expo in the Western Balkans. It runs from 15 May to 15 August 2027 under the theme "Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All." More than 140 international participants have confirmed, and organisers expect several million visits.

Kovačević said he is confident the event is on track and described EXPO 2027 as a platform for "collaboration, shared experiences and lasting impact."

Athens – October 30, 2026 -- Bilateral goods trade between Serbia and Greece reached €883.9 million in 2025, according to Serbia's Ministry of Internal and Foreign Trade. Organizers of EXPO 2027 Belgrade used that figure as the backdrop for a B2B networking event in Athens bringing together Greek and Serbian business and tourism representatives.

EXPO 2027 Belgrade targets Greek partners ahead of the May 2027 opening

Igor Kovačević, Chief Operating Officer of EXPO 2027 Belgrade, presented the exhibition, billed as the first specialized World Expo in the Western Balkans. Dimitrios Skalkos, Greece's Commissioner General for EXPO 2027, took part in the press conference. A panel discussion with Marinos Giannopoulos followed.

Kovačević said he is confident the event will be delivered successfully. He pointed to a 93-day programme designed to bring together countries, companies and people.

ATHENS – October 29, 2026 -- Greek and Serbian business leaders and tourism professionals meet at the InterContinental Athenaeum Athens on 29 October to build partnerships ahead of EXPO 2027 Belgrade, backed by €884 million in bilateral goods trade and roughly €1.27 billion in services trade in 2025.

Serbia's trade ministry reports €884 million in goods trade with Greece for 2025

According to Serbia's Ministry of Internal and Foreign Trade, bilateral trade in goods reached €884 million in 2025. Services trade totalled approximately €1.27 billion.

Roadshow stop opens with a press conference led by EXPO's COO

The Athens event is part of EXPO's international roadshow. It opens with a press conference from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., featuring Igor Kovačević, Chief Operating Officer and Director of the International Participants Department at EXPO 2027 Belgrade, and Dimitrios Skaikos, Greece's Section Commissioner General.

Zagreb – October 15, 2026 -- Bilateral trade between Croatia and Serbia reached nearly EUR 1.9 billion in 2025, according to the Croatian Chamber of Economy, and tourism and business professionals from both countries met in Zagreb to turn that base into deals tied to EXPO 2027 Belgrade.

Zagreb event pairs panel with speed-networking for hospitality partnerships

The "Visit Expo B2B Networking" event combined business presentations, a panel discussion and targeted B2B meetings. The panel, "Opportunities and Impact of EXPO 2027", covered openings for tourism and regional businesses. A speed-networking session let participants discuss potential hospitality and tourism partnerships.

Ljubljana – October 14, 2026 -- Bilateral goods trade between Serbia and Slovenia reached approximately US$2.04 billion in 2025, according to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, and EXPO 2027 Belgrade is using that base to recruit Slovenian tourism and business partners.

Visit Serbia event opens ticket sales to travel partners

The Visit Serbia B2B Networking event takes place on 15 October 2026 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the InterContinental Ljubljana. It is part of the EXPO 2027 Belgrade international roadshow. The programme introduces the exhibition, officially launches ticket sales for travel partners and includes B2B networking in tourism and business.

Slovenia's pavilion concept will be presented, and the two sides will sign a Memorandum of Cooperation.

Zagreb – October 13, 2026 -- Serbia is taking its EXPO 2027 Belgrade pitch to Croatian tourism and business leaders on 14 October 2026, targeting a bilateral trade relationship that reached nearly EUR 2.5 billion in 2025, according to the Croatian Chamber of Economy.

Visit Serbia B2B Networking event opens Zagreb stop of international roadshow

The "Visit Serbia B2B Networking" event takes place at Hotel Westin, Kršnjavoga 1, Zagreb. It is part of the international "Visit Serbia" roadshow promoting Serbia's tourism and business potential ahead of the expo. The programme includes presentations, targeted B2B meetings, a press conference, a panel discussion and a cocktail reception.

Skopje – October 06, 2026 -- Serbia recorded 82,047 tourist arrivals from North Macedonia between January and July 2026, up 22% year-on-year, as the two neighbors deepen commercial ties ahead of EXPO 2027 Belgrade.

Belgrade organizers stage B2B networking event in Skopje on October 8

EXPO 2027 Belgrade is hosting the "Visit Serbia B2B Networking" event at Public Room in Skopje on Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The gathering brings together tourism professionals and business representatives to build travel programmes and partnerships ahead of the Western Balkans' first Specialised Expo, which opens on May 15, 2027.

Beijing -- Chinese President Xi Jinping announced on September 25, 2026 that China will invite 100,000 young Americans for exchange and study programs over the next five years, a pledge made during a White House welcome ceremony marking his state visit to the United States.

Xi unveils five-year youth exchange initiative during Washington visit

The commitment followed a wave of grassroots engagement, including nearly 100 students from 10 US universities who participated in youth exchanges in China and later wrote to Xi describing their experiences. Harvard faculty member Marlon Forrester and Columbia University student Joey Zhang, among the letter writers, told CGTN the initiative represents a foundation for sustained bilateral exchange.

Bratislava – September 21, 2026 -- EXPO 2027 Belgrade brought its "Visit Serbia" roadshow to Bratislava, convening Serbian and Slovak travel and business representatives to forge partnerships ahead of the Western Balkans' first Specialised Expo, scheduled for 15 May to 15 August 2027 under the theme "Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All."

More than 135 countries confirm participation in Belgrade Expo

Organizers expect several million visits over the 93-day event, with over 135 countries having already confirmed participation.

Slovakia becomes first country to sign Expo participation contract

"Slovakia was the first country to sign the Participation Contract for EXPO 2027 Belgrade, reflecting the strong ties between our business communities," said Igor Kovačević, Executive Director of EXPO 2027 Belgrade, who invited Slovak travel professionals to develop itineraries and visit Serbia directly.

MANILA – September 18, 2026 -- Nearly 320,000 Chinese tourists had entered the Philippines as of September 9, making China the country's fourth-largest source market, Philippine Department of Tourism Assistant Secretary Maria Christina G. Aquino said at a two-day Chongqing-Manila festival that drew roughly 400 business, political and cultural delegates to SM Mall of Asia on September 12.

Chongqing brands sign travel and cooperation deals in Manila

The event, hosted by the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines and the Information Office of the Chongqing Municipal People's Government and organized by the Western China International Communication Organization, staged seven themed exhibitions covering Bayu culture, Chongqing cuisine and 'Made in Chongqing' industrial output. Happyyou International Travel signed a cooperation agreement with Philippine tourism organizations during the accompanying 'China, An Opportunity: Chongqing Brands' conference.