BELGRADE, SERBIA – UAE Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology Sarah Al Amiri discussed cooperation in research and development (R&D), advanced technology, sustainability, food technology with the Serbian government.
Al Amiri, in her visit to Serbia, discussed developing tools to finance research, innovation, energy transition and developing legislations to help accelerate the growth of technology globally.
Discussions also covered ways of ensuring these legislations are up-to-date with rapid technological development as well as to boost competitiveness.
In Belgrade, Al Amiri met Jelena Begović, Minister of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of Serbia; Branko Ruzić, Minister of Education; and Ivan Rakonjac, Director of the Innovation Fund.
She also discussed opportunities to strengthen the education system and vocational schools and to provide students with practical skills to equip them for jobs in industry.
Al Amiri was accompanied by Mubarak Saeed Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to Serbia. Ali Al Hashimi, Director of Science and Technology Policies and Programs at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Amal Al Hammadi, Head of Program Management at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology.
Delegates explored funding opportunities in research, development and innovation, in addition to the development of financing programs and tools for research.
These opportunities are designed to support the exchange of knowledge and strengthen relations in the field of R&D.
The visit is in line with the objectives of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and Serbia, which aims to facilitate cooperation and investment to support mutual economic development and national competitiveness.
Al Amiri said, “In line with our leadership’s vision, Emirati-Serbian relations are continually developing, and we are cooperating in science and technology, research and development, food security, agricultural technology, renewable and sustainable energy.”
She said, “We are cooperating for financing of these areas, which are critical to the UAE’s national vision for the future.”
She added, “We also discussed several Emirati initiatives including the Technology Transformation Program and the Industrial Technological Transformation Index.”
Al Amiri discussed with Director of the Science Fund of Serbia Milica Djuric-Jovicic funding opportunities in research, development and innovation, as well as developing financing tools to support research.
She also reviewed joint research in various priority areas with President of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts Professor Vladimir Kostic.
UAE-Serbia relations are entering a new phase of growth following the signing of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries.