The Head of the PFG with Japan Goran Ciric said that the PFG members are ready to help advance cooperation between the two countries by their ideas and that we should all work together if we are to improve living standards.

Ambassador Maruyama said he would like to help deepen and improve economic, as well as parliamentary cooperation between Japan and Serbia. He informed the PFG members about Japan’s economic advancement after World War Two, saying that they did not know what their country would look like and how much it would improve in the years to come, but nevertheless they worked long and hard and were rewarded by excellent results.

“In 10, 20 years Serbia might go further than Japan, which is why you must help us prepare for it. We can do this through strengthening cooperation between our countries”, said Maruyama. In the course of the meeting the Ambassador spoke about the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe and a delegation of businessmen to Serbia, Japanese investments in Sabac and Vinca, developmental aid, sporting and cultural exchange. Speaking of trade, the Ambassador said that Serbia’s 2017 export to Japan amounted to 50 million USD, while export from Japan to Serbia was 118.4 million USD. The Head of the PFG said that the export into Japan could be boosted through incentives for small and medium-sized enterprises and by informing them of Japan’s economic needs.

The Ambassador shared his impressions of the cities he visited in Serbia and the MPs took the opportunity to thank him, on the behalf of the cities, for Japan’s donations.