April 2015 - Branislav Marić, partner at Kinstellar’s Belgrade office, gave a presentation at the roundtable “Invest in Serbia: Do the Right Thing” organised by Strategia & Sviluppo Consultants in Milan on 1 April 2015.
Italian companies are major investors in Serbia, primarily in the financial and manufacturing sectors. Approximately 500 Italian companies are active in Serbia, representing a combined investment volume of over EUR 2 billion and together employing over 30,000 people.
Major investors in the financial and services sector include Intesa SanPaolo (which owns Banca Intesa, Serbia’s largest bank), Generali, and Unipol Gruppo (which controls DDOR, a major insurance company in Serbia).
In the manufacturing sector, the most prominent investor is FIAT, which formed a joint venture with the Serbian government for the production of FIAT’s 500L model. This investment has attracted a cluster of automotive suppliers (including Magneti Marelli).
The textile sector (Italian investors include Benetton, Calzedonia, Pompea) and Serbia’s agriculture, food and energy sectors continue to be of interest to foreign investors, including those originating from Italy, and more investments are expected in these areas in the near term.
Mr Marić’s presentation focused on the relevant investment and treaty framework in Serbia, investment incentives, the tax framework, other relevant legal considerations (employment, privatisation, PPPs / concessions, energy and construction), as well as on Italian investments in Serbia to date.
For more information contact Branislav Marić, Partner, at +381 11 3210 201, or .