Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic stated today in Beijing that the Chinese government is ready to provide full support to Chinese companies investing in Serbia, especially in the energy and hi technology sectors.

Following a session of the Serbian-Chinese Mixed Committee for Economic Cooperation, Jeremic told Fonet news agency that the Chinese side affirmed the agreement on the first stage of the renewal of Kostolac thermoelectric power plant, as well as that it is ready to realise the second, much larger stage, in line with Serbia’s capabilities.

The Minister, who is also a co-chairman of the Committee, said that the meeting looked at several specific projects and investments in energy, namely reversible hydroelectric power plants Bistrica and Djerdap 3 and a new block at Nikola Tesla thermoelectric power plant.

He said that there is a possibility that Chinese technology be transferred to these facilities quite soon and that Chinese companies join the ownership structure of these power plants.

Jeremic observed that the session also looked at the beginning of the production of high technology in telecommunications and solar energy, adding that this would be the first large project to invest in Serbia’s high technology which would enable Serbia to export this technology to other countries in the region and Europe.

The Chinese also voiced their interest in Serbian mines and technology transfer that would enable the exploitation of a larger amount of ores from the mines.

The Mixed Committee also discussed the textile industry, because a large Chinese company has voiced readiness to transfer its production intended for the European market to Serbia, Jeremic explained.

Agreement on this may be achieved within weeks, Jeremic noted, adding that China is one of the few states capable of financing large projects in the current economic crisis.

Jeremic announced that the Governor of the wealthiest Chinese province, Guandong, will visit Serbia soon, noting that a number of the most powerful companies are headquartered in this province.

Following a session of the Mixed Committee, attended by representatives from the Serbian ministries of infrastructure, finance, economy and regional development, Jeremic and Chinese Deputy Minister of Trade Jiang Yaoping, the other co-chairman of the Committee, signed the minutes verifying all the agreements that have been reached.