Serbian President Boris Tadic called Wednesday on US companies to invest in Serbia, pointing out that so far, the level of investments and trade has been far below the possibilities which the Serbian market and investment climate offered.

"We see the United States as a strategic economic partner, and ourselves as the geo-economic link between western Europe, Southeastern Europe, the Greater Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia," Tadic said, addressing US investors at the Harvard Club of New York City.

Tadic said that if the US intends to invest in Europe, there is no better place than Serbia for that.

"With macroeconomic stability fully in place-thanks to government and IMF intervention-our economy is already back on track. Our credit rating actually improved during the financial crisis, while the economy is projected to grow by more than two percent this year-and we expect that number to more than double in 2011," Tadic underlined.

Presenting the advantages for accessing other markets through Serbia, Tadic pointed out that thanks to its free trade agreements with the countries in the region, the EU, Russia, Belarus and Turkey, Serbia offers the possibility of exports to a potential market of nearly one billion people.

"I want you to leave this room knowing-absolutely knowing-that Serbia truly welcomes American investment. We see the United States as a strategic economic partner, and ourselves as the geo-economic link between Western Europe, Southeastern Europe, the Greater Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia," Tadic said during his address of the symposium entitled "Roads of Prosperity" at the Harvard Club.

Therefore, according to Tadic, it is evident that Serbia offers its investors the advantages few countries the world-over can compete with.

Some very busy road, railway and river routes that connect Europe and Asia go through Serbia, said Tadic, speaking about the country's infrastructure.

The president informed potential investors about all the work being done to improve the transport infrastructure and the benefits that will bring.

According to Tadic, Serbia is gaining importance in the region when it comes to energy and information technology as well.

The country is a good investment choice in terms of labour as well, Tadic noted. Serbian workers are hardworking, well trained and relatively cheap compared to other countries, he stated, adding that more than 40 percent of the population speaks English.

Serbia has undergone extensive social reforms since it won its democracy 10 years ago, said Tadic, adding that integration into the EU would strengthen the results of those reforms.

"Dedicated to rapidly integrate into the European Union, Serbia is a growth-oriented country that will become the regional guarantor of integration, security and prosperity. We truly welcome your capital and know-how, your experience and your confidence. Let me then conclude by saying to you: come often to Serbia, and invest more in Serbia," Tadic stated.

"On top of that, in the ten years since the democratic changes, Serbia has attracted almost 15 billion euros of foreign investments - 10% of which has come from the U.S.," Tadic said, adding that the U.S. government had invested around $1 billion over the past ten years in helping the Serbian economy become more competitive and attractive for U.S. companies.