Amerbija – Land of Opportunities

Tag: fair

  • Know Where to Look

    Thanks for coming here! I have visited Serbia and Novi Sad Vojvodina for several times already, on business and doing marketing research. In 2022 I stayed in Sremski Karlovci, the land ov wineries and the Serbian history and culture, this time, the spring of 2025, I spent time in Belgrade and mostly in Novi Sad. Living most of my life in the United States, I can see the way of life here in Serbia and compare it to the American way of life and how they do business in America, I also can see the way they do business here with fresh and open eyes. I see many things that the locals just don’t see because they’re so used to it, that just do not pay attention to what’s going on around.

    Same could be said about the foreign visitors that spend a week or two, and then return back home. They have no chance to see the difference between Serbia and their own country – be it Italy, Germany, or Romania. To me, it seemed so different from the business and cultural practices in the United States that I was wondering how they survive here at all. Then with time, I started to understand the main principle, the rule of doing business in Serbia – Ko polako ide, dalje stigne. (Slow and steady wins the race)

    I see this (being resident American in this country) as my business advantage, because I can and I have noticed the difference, just had to, because you need to know the local life to be able to live, survive, adjust and do business. And yes, I could help you, too, to locate some interesting business niches and ideas, find the local business opportunities in Serbia, find great new ideas of growth, find the local market segments where you can prosper, and the segments where you will just waste your time and resources, find the product in the price and quality range that the local people would be interested to pay euros or dinara for, but not the products that they would just ignore.

    So let me know what kind of assistance you might be willing to look for. I may be the one that can become your guide in local business politics and opportunities. We can all agree that Serbia is land of opportunities. You just need to know where to look.

  • Serbia as Land of Opportunities

    Next week in May 2025 hundreds of farmers, agriculturalists, business and trade people from dozens of countries will come to Serbia to participate in a traditional Novi Sad International Agri Fair – 92nd Sajam. I’m trying to figure out exact reasons why they come to Serbia, in particular.

    Some traders and exhibitors can’t find enough support in their countries. They say, – Here in Serbia people are friendlier in general, and which is why, they would help them with export efforts. Others are looking for prospective partners in this new for them market. Some looking for distributors to take care of their product delivery and distribution centers.

    Majority of newcomers are dreamers hoping for better, faster and easier ways to do business here. Because people are trustworthy here, there are many wonderful village networks involved in self-help, some have no better ideas than to come here to check out competition and opportunities. They want to listen and to learn.

    Many exhibitors here are in search of new ideas and growth opportunities. They figure that since Slovakia works good for their products then why not try to expand into Serbia. They think that logistics in Vojvodina is in a good shape and therefore they could use Serbia as their base for Southeast Europe.

    And all of them expect to make a few extra euros which is also a great idea.

    Little guy hopes to find an affordable entry point to the EU neighborhood, and start trucking their products without EU prices. He hopes to meet a decision-maker right here on the floor of Sajam without bureaucracy and red tape of Big Fairs such as Frankfurt-am-Main for example. He thinks and expects that the laws here in Serbia are easier and more human.

    They think of expansion and finding a lot of available, able-bodied and well-educated labor and workforce here in Serbia. Overall, the european farmers just became disillusioned and disappointed with the rule of EU clerks and big bosses.

    From the other hand, the median net monthly pay in Serbia in 2024 was about 76 000 dinara (648 euro, 725 usd in current prices) which is closer to poverty level in the EU, considering the prices in Serbia are closer to the European ones. In Novi Sad there are plenty of Second Hand Clothes stores, cheap bread in bakeries on every corner, plenty of dealers buying / selling gold to those with or without cash on hand. Land is not directly for sale yet, but a thoughtful and resourceful foreigner can buy a Serbian company with land, or set up their own Serbian company and get land with avalable well-educated workforce. So, yes, many exhibitors will double as agents, scouts, business brokers or spies looking for opportunities to look and ask around and get something for cheap. In this sense, Serbia IS the Land of Opportunity.

  • About Sajam

    At the Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad from May 17 to 22,

    1,000 exhibitors, this year’s strategic partner Italy.

    13/05/2025

    Director of the Novi Sad Fair Slobodan Cvetković (Slobodan Cvetković – former Minister of Economy of Serbia) announced today at the Palace of Italy (Palace of Italy, Kneza Miloša 56, Belgrade, ITA Agency office in Belgrade) that more than 1,000 exhibitors from 40 countries will be represented at the 92nd International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad from May 17 to 22, of which Italy will be a strategic partner.

    Read more about this Sajam event

    Here are some useful Italian and Serbian words and jokes to use while visiting the Sajam. –

    multilangpdfDownload

  • New Ideas

    May 17 – 22, 2025
    92nd International
    AGRICULTURAL FAIR
    NOVI SAD RS

    New Ideas of Growth

    NEW IDEAS OF GROWTH

    What new ideas can you find here? Just look around. And here they are! – Not just wheat or corn growing nice and fast.

    This is your own growth next opportunity. Every field, every booth, every handshake at the Agricultural Fair hides something more than just corn, milk, or meat. It hides an idea — a secret of how to grow.
    Not just crops. Not just profit.

    Where Are These New Ideas of Growth? How to find them?
    They’re sometimes on display — but more often, they’re between the lines:

    • A cheese maker who can’t export because of tough labeling laws
    • A small tool manufacturer who builds smart machines but speaks only Serbian or Romanian or Magyar or…
    • A new eco-fertilizer that isn’t even marketed yet — just tested on one back field

    These are the seeds of new ideas. You just have to know where to look — and what to ask.

    digicow typicalDownload

    Why Talk to Me?
    Because:

    • I’m here to spot new ideas. Ideas that can turn into trade, tools, services, and cooperation — in Novi Sad, in Vojvodina, and beyond.
      If you received my card, and you’re curious — just ask.
      I’ll help you find the next idea of growth that’s already standing right in front of you.