In an open conversation, the possibilities for undertaking joint activities of the Ministry and science and technology parks in the direction of continuing the development of the telecommunications infrastructure and the entire sector of information and communication technologies were discussed.

It was jointly stated that the Republic of Serbia has a developed network of institutions in the ICT sector.

The interlocutors agreed that a stimulating economic and legislative environment has been created, which undoubtedly contributes to the fact that the ICT sector continues to be the fastest growing economic branch in the Republic of Serbia year after year.

Ristić pointed out that at the beginning of 2025, the Ministry will launch a completely new initiative worth between 115 and 200 million dinars to support innovative projects in the field of information and communication technologies.

The Ministry will provide up to 30 percent of the funds for the grant, while the Development Fund of the Republic of Serbia will provide the most favorable possible loan to finance the rest of the project.

A full understanding of the need for joint work on establishing specific goals and criteria for evaluating project proposals was achieved.

The fact that all four science and technology parks will participate in the four-year support program for the network of EDIHs (European Digital Innovation Hubs) was also established.

Their participation will significantly contribute to the results and scope of this project, whose primary goal is to improve the capacity and support of our companies and institutions to participate in the calls of the Digital Europe program, which lasts until 2027 and foresees a total budget of over 7 billion euros for grants to co-finance projects.

The interlocutors fully agreed with the Ministry's initiative to establish a systemic form of concrete support that would further improve the degree of participation of our companies in the Digital Europe program over the next 3 years.

Ristić also emphasized the determination of the Ministry to continuously support our talented IT professionals at prestigious international competitions.

In this context, the possibility of including science and technology parks and connecting them with universities, schools, as well as scientific and research institutions, all with the aim of providing additional support and adequate preparation to our gifted students, was emphasized.

The meeting was attended by the director of the Science and Technology Park in Belgrade, Gordana Danilović Grković, the director of the Science and Technology Park in Niš, Dr. Milan Ranđelović, the director of the Science and Technology Park in Novi Sad, prof. Dr. Srđan Kolaković, as well as Acting Director of the Science and Technology Park in Čačak Darko Vasilić.

Source: srbija.gov.rs