“ITALY IN BELGRADE”

Belgrade, 17 October 2004 - T.R.H. Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine have hosted tonight a Reception for the members of the Italian Government and businessmen who are visiting our capital on the occasion of the “Italy in Belgrade” manifestation.

At the beginning of the Reception H.R.H. Crown Prince Alexander II has welcomed the guests. He has expressed his pleasure for being a host that evening to the significant gathering of the prominent businessmen from Italy.

“We are ready for your investment and partnership. Our country has gone through a very difficult period. Only four years passed since the democratic changes had taken place. Tonight we have with us representatives of the government, but also numerous representatives of various companies from our country. There are many tasks to be achieved waiting ahead of us. My wife and I have been living here for three years already, we had traveled a lot and we saw the situation in our country. We had visited factories, hospitals and various institutions. They all eagerly expect the arrival of the investors, the ones like our friends from Italy are” - stressed in his speech the Crown Prince.

H. E. ambassador of Italy to Belgrade Mr Antonio Zanardi Landi has thanked the hosts for their warm reception and pointed out that this was only a beginning of the new era and more intense business cooperation and investment.

“Italy in Belgrade” - prospects of the economic and trade cooperation between the Italian and Serbian companies, is a manifestation organized by the Italian Embassy in Belgrade. Its aim is to establish business cooperation between the Italian and Serbian companies. The representatives of the government of the Republic of Italy and of the government of the Republic of Serbia, along with most prominent business people from both countries, are taking part at this manifestation, which is taking place in Belgrade on the 18th and 19th October.

The manifestation is being divided into several sessions. The following aspects will be covered: banking and fiscal economy, investment, privatization, infrastructure, energetics and protection of the human environment.

HE Mr Adolfo Urso, a deputy Minister of the Economic affairs with a portfolio for the foreign economy, and H.E. Mr Roberto Antonione, the Italian deputy minister of trade, are leading a delegation of 300 managers of the most successful companies from all over Italy. Among them are TERRANOVA, IVECO, OTE, TEGOLA CANADESE, TELECOM ITALIA and others. Apart from Their Royal Highnesses, the representatives of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and members of the advisory bodies of the Crown have also attended a Reception.