BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 7. Saudi Arabia and Serbia are entering a new phase of economic and diplomatic cooperation, with Riyadh and Belgrade seeking to expand partnerships in energy, technology, agriculture, food industries and trade.
Trade between the two countries has grown significantly, reaching $121 million in 2025, a ninefold increase compared with 2012. Trade also rose by 152 percent during the early months of 2026, highlighting the growing economic relationship.
During a meeting in Belgrade last week, Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji and Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Duric signed an agreement removing visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
The two officials also discussed joint energy projects and cooperation in information and communications technology, advanced technologies, agriculture and the food sector.
The sides discussed increasing the presence of Serbian companies in the Saudi market and boosting Saudi investment in Serbia. Serbia is also scheduled to participate in the Saudi Food exhibition in Jeddah later this month with more than 50 companies.
Three new initiatives — “Digital Non-Aligned,” the Film Festival of the Non-Aligned Movement and an international seminar for young diplomats — were launched during the meeting.
The initiatives are linked to commemorations marking the 65th anniversary of the First Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement, which was held in Belgrade in 1961.
Serbian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dragan Bizenic said Belgrade considers Riyadh an important economic partner and is interested in expanding trade, increasing Serbian exports and benefiting from Saudi expertise in science and technology.
Bizenic also highlighted the importance of Saudi Arabia and Serbia hosting EXPO 2030 in Riyadh and EXPO 2027 in Belgrade. He said the two events could create opportunities to transform accumulated expertise, networks and experience into new partnerships and concrete projects.
Saudi Arabia has already signed an agreement to participate in EXPO 2027 Belgrade and is expected to have one of the largest national pavilions, located prominently near the entrance to the exhibition area.
