MAYOR MIĆIN PRESENTS THE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF NOVI SAD IN NINGBO AT THE FORUM OF MAYORS OF CHINA AND CENTRAL EUROPE

The China-Central and Eastern Europe Mayors' Forum is being held in the Chinese City of Ningbo today, and Novi Sad Mayor Žarko Mićin addressed to the attendees. Mićin discussed the most significant initiatives and investments as well as Novi Sad's potential for growth, culture, and the economy.

-I had the chance to travel to a number of cities in the People's Republic of China during the last few days, where I witnessed firsthand the value of strong connectivity and inter-city economic collaboration. The foundation for quick and steady development, for both individual communities and the nation as a whole, is precisely this collaboration. For Novi Sad, cooperation with China is especially crucial. One of the three new bridges we are constructing will be the longest in Serbia. The longest tunnel through Fruška Gora is now under construction, while the Novi Sad-to-Belgrade high-speed railway has already been finished, reducing the travel time to the capital to just 35 minutes. In order to facilitate collaboration, productivity, and creativity, effective connectivity also entails standardized rules, digital infrastructure, and fast internet. Economic cooperation entails sharing resources, best practices, and information, particularly in the areas of innovation, technology, and finance. Cooperation boosts competitiveness and fortifies cities' position on the world market by facilitating cooperative growth, resource optimization, knowledge, idea, and technology sharing. Because they draw more investments, connected cities are better positioned internationally, experience faster economic growth, and guarantee a more secure future for their residents – said Mićin.

As part of the Forum, which was held under the title "Strengthening Urban Development through Global Partnerships", Novi Sad and the Chinese city of Hefei signed a Cooperation Agreement.

In addition to Mayor Mićin, the Forum was addressed by mayors of cities from China, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Greece, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Slovenia.

Novi Sad, 23rd May 2025