PKS signs MoU on economic cooperation with Ohio

BELGRADE - The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (PKS) and the Department of Development of the US state of Ohio signed on Thursday in Belgrade a MoU on cooperation in economic development, aimed at strengthening and advancing economic ties.

The MoU was signed by PKS official Mihailo Vesovic and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik.

Vesovic noted it was an extremely important document for bilateral cooperation and economic ties between Serbia and the US and added that it was the first official document signed by the PKS with an institution dealing with economic affairs.

"Our cooperation is gaining a new, civilian dimension of cooperation. This is an important message to both American and Serbian businesspeople, greater support and more information. We will be working on exchanging visits by delegations of the two countries next year," he said.

He noted the services sector dominated the US-Serbia economic ties and that Serbia was registering an exports surplus with the US.

"What is specific for Ohio is that, over the long term, there has been a good policy and a climate of understanding, which will help make use of the full potential through this form of cooperation and increase the number of investments. We are talking about more than 600 companies and 4 bln euros worth of investments. Goodyear is an example of that good cooperation, and our job is to get what we started today to materialise in the period to come," Vesovic said.

Mihalik said Ohio and Serbia were celebrating the opening of another chapter in their cooperation.

She said Ohio had had a special relationship with Serbia since 2006, when the cooperation between the Serbian Armed Forces and the Ohio National Guard was established.

She added that the MoU created the foundations for expanding cooperation beyond battlefields as well as an opportunity to also demonstrate an ability to help people and communities.