-- When Serbia takes the stage as Future Digital Economy Partner Country at GITEX Global 2025 in Dubai, it will be the first European nation to hold that designation. The recognition reflects not only the country’s growing visibility but also the strategic work of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS), which is leading the national delegation.
Photo Courtesy of: The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS)
The participation comes at a pivotal moment. Serbia’s IT exports surpassed €3.5 billion in 2023, making information technology its fastest-growing export sector. More than 4,000 companies now operate in the industry, employing tens of thousands and serving clients across finance, telecom, healthcare, and gaming. The country’s IT exports grew by nearly 20 percent in 2024, according to government data, underscoring a sector that is expanding more rapidly than Serbia’s broader economy.
Marko Čadež, president of CCIS, framed the milestone as an opportunity to project Serbia’s capabilities beyond its borders. “Our role at GITEX is to demonstrate that Serbia is not only a reliable partner for outsourcing but also a place where startups are building new digital products for global markets,” he said.
Outsourcing Industry Gains Regional Influence
Serbia’s outsourcing firms have traditionally been the backbone of the sector, attracting enterprise clients from Europe and North America with competitive costs and EU-standard quality. Over the past decade, outsourcing has moved from simple software development to complex project delivery, with Serbian companies increasingly involved in product design and co-development.
The country now ranks among Eastern Europe’s competitive outsourcing hubs, alongside Poland, Romania, and Ukraine. Industry analysts point to Serbia’s high English proficiency, strong mathematics and engineering education, and cost-to-quality ratio as key factors. However, challenges remain: talent retention is a growing concern, as many skilled professionals seek opportunities abroad, and competition from larger outsourcing nations such as India remains significant.
Čadež acknowledged these dynamics, noting that the industry has matured. “Enterprises are no longer looking for contractors who just deliver lines of code,” he said. “They want long-term partners in digital transformation, and Serbian companies are responding to that demand.”
Startup Ecosystem Pushes Innovation
Beyond outsourcing, Serbia has cultivated a startup ecosystem that is beginning to attract global attention. From artificial intelligence tools to fintech platforms and renewable energy technologies, a new generation of companies is moving beyond contract work and into intellectual property creation.
At North Star, the startup-focused section of GITEX, Serbian entrepreneurs will showcase products ranging from AI-based advertising optimization to new approaches in e-commerce search. While funding levels remain lower than in Western Europe, local accelerators, diaspora investors, and partnerships with multinational corporations are creating pathways for growth.
The government and CCIS have promoted these ventures as essential to shifting Serbia’s IT industry up the value chain. Analysts say that a balanced ecosystem, where outsourcing provides stability and startups deliver innovation, could define Serbia’s position in global technology markets by 2030.
Strategic Goals in the Middle East
Serbia’s participation at GITEX Global is not just about visibility. The Chamber of Commerce has outlined clear short-, medium-, and long-term goals tied to the event. In the immediate term, the focus is on securing media coverage and showcasing Serbia’s delegation of outsourcing firms and startups.
Medium-term objectives include building B2B connections across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Serbian firms are looking to secure contracts in sectors such as fintech, telecom, and healthcare, where demand for scalable digital solutions continues to rise. Long-term, CCIS envisions positioning Serbia as a European technology partner to the MENA region, offering both reliable outsourcing capacity and fresh startup-driven products.
Čadež stressed the importance of this strategy. “The Middle East is investing heavily in digital transformation, and Serbia can contribute with both scale and creativity,” he said
Opportunities and Challenges Ahead
While the outlook for Serbia’s IT sector is strong, the path forward will not be without obstacles. Brain drain continues to pressure the labor market, with many of the country’s skilled professionals relocating to Western Europe or the United States. Infrastructure gaps remain between Belgrade and rural areas, limiting the spread of opportunities.
Competition is also intensifying. Countries across Eastern Europe are scaling up their outsourcing capacity, and Central Europe’s startup ecosystems often attract more venture capital. To sustain growth, Serbia will need to continue investing in education, infrastructure, and international partnerships.
Still, the momentum is visible. With ICT exports on track to double by the end of the decade and a rising profile in international markets, Serbia is increasingly part of conversations about Europe’s digital future. GITEX Global 2025 will be a test of how far the country can project its capabilities, and whether it can turn recognition into lasting commercial relationships.
Contact Info:
Name: Marija Janjusevic
Email: Send Email
Organization: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia
Website: https://en.pks.rs/
Release ID: 89171840
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