Mali: EXPO is not just Belgrade, but entire Serbia, we will carry out 323 projects

BELGRADE - Serbian First Deputy PM and Finance Minister Sinisa Mali said on Friday EXPO 2027 in Belgrade was expected to attract 3 to 4 mln visitors and noted that the event was "not just Belgrade, but entire Serbia".

At a ceremony at which PM Milos Vucevic received the EXPO 2027 flag, Mali said 323 projects would be carried out across the country under a Leap into the Future programme.

"It is about infrastructure we need to improve, new roads we are building, hospitals, schools and kindergartens. All that is EXPO. And in 2027, we do not only want to present ourselves in the right way to the majority of the countries of the world, to a large number of visitors, but also to raise the quality of life and infrastructure in our country. That is our goal for 2027," Mali said.

Commenting on criticism and objections regarding the fate of the sizable investment after 2027, Mali said the year would mark just the start of a new investment cycle.

"Everything we build for the new EXPO will remain for Serbian citizens and for the future. New fair grounds, new museums, a new national pavilion and sports venues - everything we build will remain and be a foundation of further growth and development of our economy and our Serbia in the future," Mali noted.

Bureau International des Expositions Secretary General Dimitri Kerkentzes said the ceremony was a moment of pride for the entire southeast European region and for Serbia.

For the first time, a specialised EXPO will take place in this part of Europe, he said, adding that the event was an opportunity for Serbia to affirm its role as an innovation and development hub.