The 66^th Technical Fair is open: The Future is Now

The 66^th International Fair of Technics and Technical Achievements, the oldest and most renowned regional technical and technological fair event, and the first fair event of the modern Belgrade Fair, has been opened at the Belgrade Fair under the slogan “We Inspire Progress.”

The fair was officially opened by Ana Brnabić, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, and the audience was also greeted by dr Jelena Begović, Minister of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation in the Serbian Government, and Chen Jiachang, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China.

In Hall 2C, where a spectacular exhibition of innovations and new technologies titled “Play for Humanity! Science for All – Step into a Sustainable Future” was organized under the auspices of the Serbian Government and relevant ministries, the opening ceremony was attended by numerous representatives of the Serbian Government, the highest representatives of the relevant ministries, ambassadors, and other guests and exhibitors.

Officially announcing the start of the Fair, Ana Brnabić, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, reminded attendees that “science and technical and technological achievements are exactly the fields we can be most proud of. Digitalization, as well as innovations stemming from science and education, knowledge, and creativity, are among the best examples of how much we have managed to change and revitalize Serbia, how many new doors we have opened for our citizens, and how much we have given our best to help them fulfill their full potential and turn their dreams into reality.”

“In 2014, there wasn’t a single science and technology park in Serbia. Today, Serbia has four science and technology parks – in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš, and Čačak. We are currently expanding those in Niš and Čačak, we have started building a new STP in Kruševac, and with two more STPs in Kragujevac, Serbia will have seven STPs by 2027” said Brnabić.

“These are investments that will not only recover the money we, as a country, have invested. They are already paying off multiple times over because an investment in science and people is literally, an investment in the future.

According to an analysis recently published by the Center for World University Rankings, the University of Belgrade is ranked among the top 2% of universities in the world. It is the duty of all those involved in politics to ensure that the potential of all these wonderful, talented people is fully realized.”

“The fact that Serbia is now recognized as one of the leaders in the IT industry, digitalization, and artificial intelligence is evidenced by the fact that this and next year, Serbia is chairing the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence.”

The President of the National Assembly also reminded that “the annual export of services in 2023 amounted to nearly 3.5 billion euros, which, for the first time, surpassed the EU member state Bulgaria. Today, we export in a month what in 2012 we used to export in an entire year.”

“A new era of development and technical achievements will be completed, and a new era of science in Serbia will begin, with the construction of the BIO4 campus, which will connect science and industry in the best possible way. Scientists, institutes, faculties, and others gathered in that BIO4 campus in Kumodraž will make Serbia a center of biotechnology, a science that is undoubtedly the science of the future.”

“I am very pleased that this year’s partner country for the fair is the People’s Republic of China, which will present its achievements in the fields of artificial intelligence, biomedicine, space technology, autonomous vehicles, and environmental protection,” said Ana Brnabić.

Dr. Jelena Begović, Minister of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation in the Serbian Government, greeted the participants and guests of “one of the most significant events in the region in terms of technology and innovation.”

She expressed satisfaction that the opening ceremony of the fair is organized within the exhibition setup of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, which brings together leading scientists, innovators, and visionaries under the slogan “Play for Humanity – Science for All” with this year’s theme “Step into a Sustainable Future.”

“The Serbian exhibition setup consists of 114 individual exhibits, 63 exhibitors, and over 30 companies from the People’s Republic of China, all spread over two levels and 6,000 square meters,” emphasized the minister.

“Once again, our country has a unique opportunity to present its latest achievements and innovations that lead to a sustainable future. The exhibition of the Republic of Serbia was organized this year by as many as five ministries in the Government of the Republic of Serbia – the Ministry of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation, the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Sports, and the Ministry of Tourism and Youth, which shows how much science, and the development of innovations are recognized by the state.”

“In this pavilion, citizens will be able to enjoy new technologies and innovative products every day during the fair, to talk with scientists and innovators, to see how science is applied in everyday life, and how it can solve the problems we face as individuals, as a nation, or as part of humanity.”

“As part of our exhibit,” she said, “we are showcasing innovative products, ideas, and research that have been created at scientific research organizations, faculties, and institutes, by scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs from both Serbia and this year’s partner country, the People’s Republic of China.”

“Serbia has a rich tradition in science and technology, and our skilled workforce and many talented individuals contribute to making our country a hub for innovations, creations, and new technologies, exactly what we wanted to display at this exhibit. We are determined to continue the collaboration between science and industry, creating even better conditions for the long-term economic growth and social development of our country.”

“This fair is also an opportunity for the professional public and others to get acquainted with the BIO4 campus project, which will have a dedicated section within our exhibit and represents the largest single investment by the Republic of Serbia and the broader region in a scientific infrastructure project. The BIO4 campus project reflects how Serbia envisions its future and its citizens, but it also reflects our determination in developing powerful technologies such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and nanotechnology, which have the power to change the world and make it more sustainable and resilient.”

Chen Jiachang, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China thanked the organizers of the Technical Fair for the opportunity to present China’s incredible achievements in various fields, which today represent the motto and imperative of global industrial development and scientific-technological prosperity.

At this fair, China is represented by 22 companies in the innovation sector of the exhibition “Play for Humanity! Science for All – Step into a Sustainable Future” and about ten more, mainly in the energy sector, at another fair exhibition.

The collaboration between Serbian and Chinese partners in the sector of innovations and technical and technological achievements is considered extremely fruitful and beforehand “sentenced” to success worthy of admiration.

The Technical Fair is being held in seven halls of the Belgrade Fair, covering more than 15,000 square meters of exhibition space. The exhibition and professional fair programs bring together around 600 domestic and foreign direct and indirect exhibitors and other participants from about thirty countries across four continents: Germany, Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, China, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Austria, Italy, North Macedonia, Switzerland, South Korea, Russia, Bulgaria, the USA, Slovakia, Romania, Japan, France, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Netherlands, Belgium, Cameroon, Hong Kong (China), Lithuania, Taiwan (China), Serbia, and others. In addition to individual presentations, group appearances have been organized by the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Serbia, China, and the Republic of Srpska (B&H).

For decades at this event, manufacturers, distributors, designers, traders, scientific research and educational institutions, innovators, agents, and representatives of global companies and brands in the industry have sought and offered advancements into the new and unexplored, undiscovered and intriguing, and overall unforgettable experiences.

The basis of the exhibition program consists of innovative technologies in industries 4.0 and 5.0, “classic” product groups such as CNC machines, machining centers, various tools and accessories, electronics, automation and robotics, measuring equipment and devices, process technology, hydraulics and pneumatics, 3D and laser technologies, metallurgy and foundry, welding technologies, electrical power engineering, thermal engineering and HVAC, as well as green industry, logistics, warehousing, industrial packaging, industrial and cyber security and protection.

This spectrum has been expanded with achievements such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, 5G networks, blockchain technologies, augmented and virtual reality, quantum computers, nanotechnologies, clean energy, IoT, drones, and more.

The strongest emphasis of the fair is on innovations and technological advancements, with over 100 reported in various sectors. The Serbian Government has engaged all major players in the innovative sector in Serbia, including more than 50 domestic science and technology parks, higher education and research institutions and organizations, companies, and associations. Under the same roof is the guest of honor country for this exhibition—China—with as many as 22 institutions and companies showcasing new technologies and innovations in space, astronautics, and radar technologies, diagnostic and operational technologies in healthcare, pharmaceutics and biotechnologies, automotive and transportation technologies, artificial intelligence, and more.

Additionally, visitors and other participants will have the opportunity to get directly acquainted with the latest products and services offered by companies, to test various devices and technologies, including the feedback from the market, to participate in workshops and lectures, and to stay informed about industry trends and innovations. All this allows companies and organizations to increase their visibility and brand recognition, which can subsequently lead to increased sales and the creation of new business opportunities.

This year’s professional accompanying program of the Technical Fair is largely dedicated to dilemmas regarding possible directions of technical and technological development in various economic sectors.

Therefore, on the first day of the fair, after the official opening of the fair and the exhibition “Play for Humanity! Science for All – Step into a Sustainable Future,” the schedule includes “Lighting Technology Day” by the Serbian Lighting Society; a ministerial panel on the topic “Serbia, a Country of Science, a Country of Innovation – Step into a Sustainable Future” (with Dr. Jelena Begović, Minister of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation in the Government of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr. Slavica Đukić-Dejanović, Minister of Education, Zoran Gajić, Minister of Sports, Dejan Ristić, Minister of Information and Telecommunications, Ivana Antonijević, Assistant Minister of Tourism and Youth, and Chen Jiachang, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China); the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding – BIO4 Campus and ZPark Beijing Municipality (Ministry of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation of Serbia and Shandong International Cooperation Group, China); the BIO4 panel, including lectures on the topics “Serbia, a Country of Science, a Country of Innovation,” “Women in the IT Sector,” and more.

The second day of the fair does not lag behind in terms of the diversity of topics, and some of them are: “Application of Innovative Technologies in Sports for Performance Development”; “Safe and Efficient Use of Artificial Intelligence with Emphasis on Security and Data Protection (Use of AI Chatbots; Data Protection and Security)”; “Youth Spaces and Innovations (Legal and Strategic Framework; Innovation Club; Tools and Equipment)”; “Artificial Intelligence and Sports: How Innovations and Technology are Changing Sports”…

On the third day, the agenda includes topics that intrigue the professional public, such as: a panel with international participants “Serbia and the World – Startup Ecosystem”; “Improving Innovation Ecosystem Capabilities: Ecosystem Organization and Human Management” (results of the new Startup Genome research for Serbia in 2024); “Technology Transfer: Unlocking the Full Potential of Academic Research”; “Adoption of VDE Standards Relating to Technical Rules for Connecting User Facilities to Low and Medium Voltage Networks”; panel “Large Language Models for the Serbian Language – Importance, Application, Potential” and others.

On the last day of the fair, a panel is scheduled on: “Skills of the Future in the World Ahead of Us – Where Do I Fit In?”, a visit by students from Harvard Medical School, and more.

A qualified jury composed of professors from technical faculties of the University of Belgrade and a representative from the relevant ministry, will award the traditional “Step into the Future” prizes and recognitions to the most successful exhibitors and other participants. The award ceremony is planned for Thursday, May 23, at 12 PM.