Law on Financial Protocol with France for supercomputer and AI submitted to parliament – Loan of up to EUR 42.5 million

The Serbian Government has adopted the Draft Law on the Confirmation of the Financial Protocol between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Republic of France, which provides for financing of the project for the development of high-performance computers (supercomputers) and artificial intelligence, which is part of the broader strategic cooperation between the two countries.

As stated in the explanatory memorandum of the law, the constitutional basis for its adoption is contained in Article 99 of the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia, which stipulates that the National Assembly shall ratify international agreements when provided for by law.

Continuation of strategic cooperation between Serbia and France

The reasons for the adoption of the law stem from the Agreement on Cooperation in the Implementation of Priority Projects in Serbia, which Serbia and France signed back in 2020, with two later annexes. This agreement also provides for the possibility for France to provide financial support for projects such as the procurement of supercomputers and the development of artificial intelligence, as well as for the establishment of a center of excellence in this area.

For the implementation of this specific project, it was necessary to sign a special financial protocol, which enables a direct loan from the French Treasury to the Republic of Serbia.

Up to EUR 42.5 million for development of supercomputers and AI

The financial protocol envisages a loan in the maximum amount of EUR 42.5 million, which is up to 85% of the value of the export contract, in accordance with the rules of the OECD Arrangement on Export Credit Support. The total value of the commercial contract is EUR 50 million.

The funds will be used for: the purchase of French goods and services, as well as for goods and services from Serbia or third countries, but not more than 50% of the amount of financial support, with the French supplier being responsible for the execution of the contract.

The commercial contract was concluded on March 31, 2025, between the Office for Information Technology and e-Government and the French company Bull (Atos Group), and includes the procurement of supercomputers with accompanying software and services for the development of artificial intelligence in the Serbian ecosystem.

Supercomputer for public administration, energy, transport and healthcare

The explanatory memorandum to the law emphasizes that the project is part of the National Platform for Artificial Intelligence, as well as the strategic goals defined by the Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in Serbia for the periods 2020–2025 and 2025–2030.

In addition to the procurement of HPC systems, the project should enable: the development of AI models for the improvement of public administration, the application of artificial intelligence in the sectors of sustainable energy, transport and healthcare, and further strengthening domestic capacities in the field of advanced digital technologies.

The Law on the Budget of the Republic of Serbia for 2025 already envisages borrowing from foreign financial institutions for the development of artificial intelligence, up to the amount of EUR 42.5 million.

By the Government’s conclusion of November 27, 2025, the text of the Financial Protocol was adopted, and Sinisa Mali, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, was authorized to sign it. The Protocol was signed on the same day in Belgrade.

Funds for the implementation of the law will be provided from the budget of the Republic of Serbia, while the law will enter into force on the eighth day after its publication in the “Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia - International Treaties,” after confirmation by the National Assembly.

Vlada Republike Srbije

Government of Serbia

Draft Law on the Confirmation of the Financial Protocol between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Republic of France

supercomputer