Business representatives and tourism professionals from Greece and Serbia met in Athens at a B2B speed-networking event, aiming to forge new strategic partnerships in the region ahead of EXPO 2027 Belgrade, the first Specialised World Expo to be held in the Western Balkans.
The event took place at the InterContinental Athenaeum Athens hotel as part of the Expo’s international roadshow, bringing together representatives from the business and tourism sectors. Discussions focused on the new business opportunities created by the Expo, with particular emphasis on tourism and bilateral cooperation.
Igor Kovačević, Director General of Operations and Director of EXPO 2027 Belgrade’s International Participation Department, presented the event and highlighted its potential to strengthen trade relations across the wider region. A press conference was also held as part of the event, attended by Dimitris Skalkos, Secretary General for International Economic Relations and Extroversion at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chairman of Enterprise Greece and Greece’s Commissioner General at the Expo.
Business opportunities
Igor Kovačević said: “I am confident that EXPO 2027 in Belgrade is on track to be a highly successful event. Over 93 days, we will present a rich and diverse programme of events that will bring together countries, businesses and people from around the world. At a time when everything is more connected than ever, EXPO 2027 offers an opportunity for cooperation, shared experiences and initiatives that will leave a lasting mark on the future.”
The meeting gave Greek businesses the opportunity to meet potential partners from Serbia, explore complementary services and take the first steps towards long-term business relationships. For tourism professionals, the focus was on creating travel packages combining attendance at the Expo with cultural events, stays in cities and trips to other destinations.
By bringing together people from the business and tourism worlds, the event paved the way for new, sustainable business proposals and more travel options around one of the region’s largest international events.
Greece and Serbia have maintained close economic ties for many years. According to Serbia’s Ministry of Internal and Foreign Trade, bilateral trade in goods reached €883.9 million in 2025, while trade in services totalled about €1.27 billion. Meanwhile, Greek investment in Serbia has historically been estimated at about €2.2 billion, with a presence in sectors including banking, energy, real estate, tourism and cement production.
Dimitris Skalkos said: “Greece and Serbia have already built a strong foundation for cooperation, on which we can continue to develop our relationship. Our aim is to make the most of the opportunities before us, strengthen these ties further and create tangible benefits for more businesses, organisations and citizens.”
These already strong ties provide an important foundation for new partnerships around EXPO 2027 Belgrade. The event’s business programme is expected to include more than 250 bilateral events and over 50,000 meetings, giving companies the opportunity to expand their international networks.
EXPO 2027 Belgrade is a Specialised World Expo that will take place in Belgrade from 15 May to 15 August 2027, under the theme “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All”. With more than 140 countries taking part, the event will run for 93 days and is expected to attract around four million visits.