Serbia Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in serbia, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Infrastructure
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Overview

Serbia’s infrastructure sector is undergoing an unprecedented investment cycle, providing major opportunities for U.S. exporters, engineering firms, and project partners, particularly in digital, sustainable, and high-capacity solutions.

Serbia’s pivotal position in Southeast Europe makes it a logistics hub, intersected by Pan-European Corridors VII (Danube River), X (key highway/rail), and XI (linking Central Europe to the Adriatic). The National Investment Plan allocated roughly $14 billion for large-scale projects by the end of 2025, while an additional €12 billion cycle focuses on Modern Belgrade—including the 2027 World Expo. While the 2018 MOU has helped strengthen the U.S.-Serbia infrastructure cooperation, notable with the $2 billion Morava Corridor highway projects; many of Serbia’s infrastructure projects are going to Chinese companies.

Key Infrastructure Segments:

  • Roads: 45,220 km network; over 1,000 km of highways planned/under construction, including the Morava Corridor, Preljina-Pozega, Belgrade–Zrenjanin–Novi Sad, Belgrade–Sarajevo, and “Sumadija/Karadjordje” corridor.

  • Rail: Modern high-speed links (e.g., Belgrade–Novi Sad) open; further upgrades, cross-border connections, and the Belgrade–Niš line mark a new era for freight and passenger rail.

  • Airports: Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport’s €730 million expansion enables capacity to exceed 8 million passengers in 2024, with ambitious targets for 2043; regional airports (Niš, Morava) are also upgrading.

  • River Transport: 959 km navigable waterways; major upgrades at Prahovo/Smederevo ports, phased Belgrade Port redevelopment, and new river passenger services.

  • Power Transmission: The BeoGrid 2025 project, worth €205 million (six components including substations and new high-voltage lines), and integration of renewables are central for reliable supply and Expo 2027.

Leading Sub-sectors

Serbia’s infrastructure investment strategy has prioritized several leading sub-sectors, each offering distinct opportunities for U.S. exporters, engineering and construction firms, and technology partners.

Highways and road construction remain at the forefront, with landmark initiatives such as the Morava Corridor and regional connectors linking Belgrade to major cities and neighboring countries. These projects not only enhance domestic mobility but also form critical links along European Corridors X and XI, positioning Serbia as a regional logistics hub. Rising demand for advanced construction equipment, intelligent transport systems, and innovative road safety solutions has opened significant market opportunities for foreign suppliers.

Railways and highspeed rail expansion have become a national priority, as evidenced by the new Belgrade–Novi Sad high-speed line and ongoing upgrades to extend service to Subotica and Niš. These ambitious projects target both freight and passenger transport improvements and require expertise in railway engineering, safety systems, signaling, and rolling stock. U.S. companies with technologies for track modernization and digital control systems have strong prospects in these ventures.

Airport modernization is another central focus, with Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport’s €730 million expansion dramatically increasing passenger capacity and commercial facilities. Modernization efforts include new terminals, departure gates, runways, and sustainability upgrades such as solar power generation and advanced waste treatment. Regional airports in Niš and Morava are also undergoing expansion and certification, paving the way for opportunities in airport security, baggage handling, and smart passenger management systems.

Port and waterway upgrades reflect Serbia’s commitment to leveraging its access to the Danube and Sava rivers for cargo and passenger transport. Large-scale redevelopment at Prahovo and Smederevo, as well as ambitious plans for port infrastructure in Belgrade’s Expo 2027 zone, invite suppliers of logistics equipment, river vessel technology, and digital navigation systems.

Finally, smart power transmission and grid infrastructure projects such as BeoGrid 2025 signal Serbia’s drive toward reliable and intelligent energy distribution, integrating renewables and high-voltage transmission networks ahead of major international events like Expo 2027. These projects require specialized expertise, offering opportunities for U.S. firms in substations, transmission line construction, grid monitoring, and automation solutions.

Market Opportunities

  • U.S. construction and engineering firms (especially with design-build and systems integration experience) are well suited for major highway, rail, airport, and energy grid projects.

  • Equipment manufacturers can supply construction machinery, smart transport systems, signaling, airport security and operations tech, port and cargo handling systems.

  • Project finance and PPP models are encouraged, particularly for Expo-linked investments and upgrades to digital and “green” infrastructure.

  • SME opportunities exist in sub-contracting, engineering consulting, digital technologies, and smart solutions for infrastructure management, especially under publicly announced tenders and development bank projects.

Resources & Industry Contacts

 

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