Vucic urges Finnish investors to invest in Serbia

HELSINKI - Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic began a one-day visit to Finland on Monday by taking part in a business forum organised by the Finnish national agency Finpro, which represents 550 Finnish companies.

Vucic briefed the Finnish investors on the reform process and the economic situation in Serbia, urging them to come in the greatest numbers possible and invest in the country.

We are not asking for charity, we have embarked on the reforms on our own, without external pressure, because we want to be a modern, economically stable, European country. We want a healthy economy and hard work, the Serbian prime minister said.

Speaking at the opening of the session, Finnish Ambassador to Serbia Pekka Orpana noted that Finnish companies are boosting their presence on the Serbian market and that the reform process that is being conducted by the Serbian government is producing concrete results and improving the investment climate, making Serbia a competitive market.

Serbia's government and institutions are willing to back Finnish companies and it is therefore good not to hesitate, but start exploring the Serbian market immediately, Orpana noted.

Serbia is now in a stage where it needs to have good governance, reform its institutions and create a good and secure investment climate for foreign investors, Serbian Finance Minister Dusan Vujovic said.

Prime Minister Vucic will continue the visit to Helsinki with a meeting with his Finnish counterpart Alexander Stubb.

Vucic will also meet with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja.

Photo Tanjug/Serbian Government's Press Office