Tadic opened Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad

Serbian President Boris Tadic opened on Saturday the 78th International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad, saying that agriculture is one of the industries upon which Serbia will base its economic development in the future, which will be aided by the expected continued growth of food prices in the world market.

Tadic stressed on that occasion that our country was strongly committed to developing the potential of agriculture and agricultural industry, noting that those sectors can absorb large redundant labor force and contribute to the increase in employment rate.

Serbia cannot finance development of agriculture independently from its own budget, which is why it needs cooperation with commercial banks, foreign donors and financial institutions, Tadic said.

He said that, aside from opening opportunities to Serbian agriculture, the increase in food prices also set a challenge of preserving the citizens’ living standard before the Serbian government.

In order to base the future economic development on agriculture, it is necessary, according to Tadic, to change the structure of agricultural production, which is now predominantly based on cereals, and it is also necessary to substantially increase livestock production.

He said that larger exports of agricultural products in the first months of 2011 had contributed to the reduction of trade deficit.

The president welcomed a large number of agriculture ministers who came to the fair, primarily the minister of Portugal, which is the fair's partner country this year.

Portuguese Agriculture Minster Antonio Serrano said that, apart from the institutionalization of the two countries' cooperation via a number of agreements, Serbia and Portugal still had a lot to find out about each other and promote their relations.

Serrano also stated that Serbia's EU integration process was fully supported by the Lisbon government.

This year, the Novi Sad fair has gathered 1,500 exhibitors from about 60 countries across the world, and its opening was attended by agriculture ministers of 18 countries.

Novosadski sajam a.d. Novi Sad

Ambasada Republike Portugalije Beograd

Novi Sad Fair

Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad

Boris Tadic

Ministry of Agriculture of Portugal

Antonio Serrano

Embassy of Portugal to Belgrade

Agricultural Fair