Vucic: Cooperation in six key areas discussed with Indian president

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday his meeting with Indian President Draupadi Murmu earlier in the day had addressed cooperation in six key areas and that friendly ties and political cooperation would be deepened further.

"Given that it currently amounts to 330 mln euros, our bilateral trade volume is insufficient but growing, and we believe it can be ten times higher. We have established joint bodies to deal with problem-solving and facilitate cooperation," Vucic said.

He said they had also discussed introducing direct flights between Belgrade and New Delhi.

"Tourists from India are choosy but exceptional, and I believe there are also Serbians who want to see that country. That will have to be assisted by simplifying the visa regime. I have ordered FM Ivica Dacic that the visa regime be simplified in the next seven to ten days to attract more tourists and businesspeople," Vucic said.

He noted that they had especially discussed defence cooperation.

"India is both a manufacturer and a buyer of all kinds of military equipment and I believe we can establish cooperation when it comes to gunpowder, ammunition and explosives," Vucic said.

He said the discussion topics had included cooperation in the field of the pharmaceuticals industry and, in particular, generic drugs, and added that production of medicines also offered potential for cooperation.

"Industrial production is an important part of the cooperation. I believe we will also establish cooperation in the cinema industry. We have already had investments that have brought 50 mln euros and we have invested 12 mln to attract filmmakers."

Speaking about the IT sector, Vucic said India was one of the countries with the strongest startup growth and that this was an opportunity for experience-sharing and cooperation.

"We will be building a fifth science and technology park in Kragujevac soon and we will offer them cooperation," he said.

He added that apples were Serbia's top export commodity in the Indian market but that there was also interest in raspberries and other berries, seeds and frozen fruit.

He said investments in energy had also been discussed as India was one of the largest producers of renewable energy.