Growing trade and tourism are creating new opportunities for closer economic cooperation between Serbia and North Macedonia ahead of EXPO 2027 Belgrade.
These opportunities were at the centre of the “Visit Serbia B2B Networking” event held in Skopje on 8 October, bringing together more than 50 representatives from the business and tourism sectors. Organised as part of the international Visit Serbia roadshow, the event provided a platform for companies and tourism professionals from both countries to explore new partnerships and opportunities linked to EXPO 2027.
North Macedonia to present its cultural and tourism offer
North Macedonia will participate in EXPO 2027 Belgrade with a national pavilion under the theme “All Rhythms of the Sun.” The pavilion will present the country’s music, gastronomy, wine, tourism, culture and creative industries to an international audience.
The participation of North Macedonia adds another dimension to the regional character of EXPO 2027, creating a platform where neighbouring countries can not only present their individual strengths but also develop new forms of economic, cultural and tourism cooperation.
More than 16,000 people have applied to volunteer at EXPO 2027 Belgrade so far, including 850 applicants from North Macedonia, highlighting the opportunity to be part of the event.
““I am particularly pleased by the strong interest in our volunteer programme. Our volunteers will be the welcoming face of the Expo – the people who will greet the world in Belgrade next year,” said Danilo Jerinić, CEO of EXPO 2027 Belgrade.
“That is why we are here today: to invite North Macedonia’s business and tourism communities to make Expo 2027 Belgrade a shared opportunity for our region,” Jerinić added.
For businesses, the Expo 2027 Belgrade will offer multiple opportunities to establish international contacts and develop new partnerships. Its programme includes six thematic business forums, a two-day Global Business and Technology Summit, more than 250 bilateral business events and over 50,000 business meetings. A dedicated digital B2B platform will allow companies to identify potential partners and arrange meetings ahead of the Expo.
Connecting markets – and destinations
The Visit Serbia B2B Networking event also focused on opportunities to strengthen cooperation between the Serbian and North Macedonian tourism industries. Rather than promoting destinations in isolation, participants explored ways to develop joint travel itineraries that encourage international visitors to combine both countries in a single trip.
82,047 tourists from North Macedonia visited Serbia between January and July 2026, an increase of 22% compared with the same period in 2025.
