Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Regional Development Mladjan Dinkic officially opened the Tulip Inn Putnik Hotel in Belgrade Tuesday, in which the Metropol Group from Russia has invested €7 million.

Opening the hotel, which will operate as part of the Golden Tulip international hotel chain, Dinkic stressed that this is the largest Russian investment in the Serbian tourist sector to date.

He underscored that the arrival of this hotel chain in Serbia is very important, as Serbia lacks such hotels, adding that tourism is the best way to improve Serbia’s image abroad.

Dinkic observed that this is an important investment for the Serbian economy, as this will be the 53rd hotel in Belgrade and the fourth hotel chain operating in the capital city, which means an opportunity for Belgrade to develop as a city break destination.

The Serbian government will endorse the Metropol Group in its efforts to reconstruct the Putnik Hotel on Mt Kopaonik, Dinkic announced, adding that Russian representatives have voiced their intention to begin reconstruction, but noted that they need the state’s assistance, especially when it comes to constructing ski runs.

Russian Ambassador to Belgrade Alexander Konuzin affirmed that the investment demonstrates a systematic growth in Russian investment in Serbia, despite the crisis.

Russia’s previous major investment stood at $1.3 billion, Konuzin recalled, adding that next week the Bank of Moscow will open a new branch office in Novi Sad, while Russia’s insurance company Sogaz is in the process of registering its office in Serbia.

New infrastructure projects are also being contemplated, while cooperation in agriculture can be further stepped up, he noted.

The renovated three star Tulip Inn Putnik Hotel spans 7,100 square metres and has a capacity of 65 single and 19 double rooms, in addition to 12 suites.

The Hotel has fitness and spa centres, the Nevski Restaurant that can host 250 guests, the Absolut café bar and a conference room with 180 seats. It also has its own car parking facilities and free-of-charge wireless internet.