Goran Vesić opens the Building Trade Fair: The Driving Force of the Country and Economy

Cranes are a symbol of a country construction, and in Belgrade and throughout Serbia, they can be seen everywhere. Having cranes means we are progressing as a country – said Goran Vesić, the Serbian Minister of Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure, opening the 48^th International Building Trade Fair.

Every dinar invested in construction multiplies threefold in the country’s GDP, meaning that construction is an indispensable factor in the country’s development and its GDP.

Construction industry, especially its innovative aspect, is the driving force of the economy. Last year, we made amendments to the Law on Planning and Construction, and the measures outlined in that law are already yielding significant results. Transparent procedures and expediting permit issuance are conditions for predictable business, which is one of the most important prerequisites for foreign investment.

Following the implementation of these measures, in the third quarter of 2023, the value of completed works increased by 15.8% compared to the same quarter of the previous year. The total number of issued permits in the fourth quarter of 2023 was 15.6% higher than in the same quarter of the previous year.

It is also crucial that we have abolished conversion fees. At this moment, we have investments announced and requests submitted for construction permits at these locations totaling 88 million euros. Even more importantly, 66% of all these requests are for increasing production capacities, contrary to the skeptics’ predictions that this “privilege” would be used for building apartments.

In 2013, the construction sector’s share of GDP was around 3%, by 2022 it had already reached 5.5%, and this trend continues. In 2013, the value of all construction works was 1.6 billion euros, and by 2023, it had risen to 5.2 billion euros – an increase of 3.25 times.

Last year, we had a capital budget for infrastructure investments of 3.8 billion euros, and for this year, that budget has been increased to 4 billion euros.

A special contribution in this context is made by EXPO 27, as out of the total investment budget of around 18 billion euros, approximately 2.5 billion will be allocated to EXPO 27. Let us not forget the largest investment project – the Belgrade Metro – the implementation of which is expected in the near future.

All of this is a reason to permanently recognize the contribution that construction industry makes to the country’s development, its economy, and GDP – said Minister Vesić, marking the beginning of this event.

Maja Petković, Commercial Director of the event’s main sponsor, IGM Mladost company from Leskovac, stated that the company operates in four locations – Stalać, Vlasotince, Mala Plana (factories for block production), and Leskovac (factories for tile production). The latest technologies, top-notch equipment, and highly skilled personnel are the prerequisites for the highest quality products from this largest domestic production capacity, with export potential exceeding 50% of production. All of this makes the company one of the driving forces in the construction industry in Serbia, and the Building Trade Fair is an opportunity to prove that.

Representatives of the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Construction, and Ecology of the Republic of Srpska also attended the grand opening.

Under the slogan “From Vision to Reality,” the 48^th International Building Trade Fair is taking place at the Belgrade Fair from April 22 to April 25, 2024. Its mission is to be a key platform for professionals, companies, and enthusiasts in the construction industry to meet, present the latest trends, technologies, and projects in the field, provide opportunities for business networking and deal-making, and exchange knowledge and experiences that will shape the future of the construction industry.

The fair features over 500 exhibitors, including those from Australia, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Montenegro, China, Poland, Azerbaijan, India, North Macedonia, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, the Netherlands, and Turkey.

The exhibition program covers all key segments of the construction industry – the latest technologies in construction (technological innovations in construction machinery, tools, and equipment), innovative materials (concrete, steel, wood, plastic, and composite materials, with a focus on environmentally friendly materials and sustainable construction practices), energy efficiency, and sustainability (products and technologies contributing to energy efficiency, CO2 emission reduction, and resource preservation, including solar energy, geothermal systems, insulation, as well as smart energy management systems).

The event brings together all those involved in planning, designing, and construction – architects, designers, investors, representatives from the industrial and commercial sectors, construction craftsmen, manufacturers of construction materials, and more.

The fair also features national exhibitions from Austria, Czech Republic, India, China, Poland, Turkey, and organized presentations by companies from Montenegro and the Republic of Srpska (BiH) through their chambers of commerce.

The event is enriched with specialized exhibitions Stone-Expo and Windoshow Balkans, which further cover interests and provide concrete solutions for the most demanding ideas and architectural projects.

The quality of communication is enhanced through the implementation of B2B program, which supports business and facilitates the negotiation of new contracts and cooperations.

The Belgrade Fair traditionally awards the “New Vision” and “Special Recognition” awards for products in several commodity groups during the Building Trade Fair, to promote new technical and technological solutions.