Serbia’s agreement with Japan on the mutual promotion and protection of investments will officially take effect on July 30, marking an important step toward attracting new Japanese investors and strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries.
Serbian Minister of Internal and Foreign Trade Jagoda Lazarević confirmed that Japan has completed all internal procedures required for the agreement to enter into force. According to Lazarević, the deal is among the most significant economic cooperation agreements Serbia has secured, especially given the growing interest in expanding the presence of Japanese capital in the Serbian market.
The agreement is designed to provide legal security for Japanese companies and ensure that their investments in Serbia are protected. Lazarević said Japanese firms bring a distinct business approach, often focused on advanced technologies, while cooperation between the two countries has also been strong in the energy sector.
She added that the agreement is expected to give additional momentum to bilateral economic ties, support Serbia’s plans to increase exports to Japan, and encourage new investment projects. The deal may also motivate Japanese companies already operating in Serbia to expand their existing operations.
The agreement was signed on December 24 by Minister Lazarević and Japan’s ambassador to Serbia, Akira Imamura. It follows a period of intensified bilateral engagement between Belgrade and Tokyo, including Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s visit to Japan last September, during which economic cooperation was one of the key topics of discussion.
Serbian officials see the deal as a framework that could strengthen investor confidence and deepen long-term economic relations with Japan.
