Agreement between Serbia and Japan on mutual encouragement and protection of investments signed

The Agreement between Serbia and Japan on Mutual Encouragement and Protection of Investments, which aims to further strengthen and complete the legal framework for improving investment cooperation between the two countries, was signed today by the Minister of Domestic and Foreign Trade Jagoda Lazarevic and the Ambassador of Japan to Serbia Akira Imamura.

Lazarevic pointed out that this was an extremely important agreement and that it represented one of the key ones when it comes to further developing economic cooperation and ensuring legal certainty for investors.

- Everyone knows that Japan is an extremely important investor in Serbia and our desire is to continue improving investment cooperation with this country, which is known for its application of new technologies, exceptional standards, work ethics, business philosophy and everything we want to learn from them - she said.

Lazarevic emphasized that the signed agreement would be a strong incentive not only for existing investors and Japanese companies already operating in Serbia to expand their business, but also for the arrival of new companies from that country.

Akira Imamura said that the signed agreement would bring added value and greater legal certainty, which would provide Japanese companies with confidence that their assets and investments in Serbia were protected. According to him, this document will also contribute to the further promotion of environmental protection, circular economy, as well as other principles of sustainable development, thus ensuring its full and effective implementation. Imamura added that the agreement was expected to be ratified during the next year, which, he assessed, would lead to increased interest from Japanese investors in investing in Serbia.