Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Serbia Madi Atamkulov paid a working visit to the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, focusing on strengthening interregional ties and expanding practical cooperation between Kazakhstan and Serbia, DKNews.kz reports.
The visit highlighted the growing role of regional diplomacy in unlocking new economic and technological opportunities.
Dialogue at the regional level
During the trip, the Kazakh diplomat met with the President of the Government of Vojvodina Maja Gojković. Both sides emphasized mutual interest in strengthening cooperation through more active interaction between regions and cities.
Ambassador Atamkulov noted that dynamic interregional dialogue could significantly expand partnership potential, especially in key sectors such as:
- Agriculture
- Digitalization
- Logistics
- Education
- Tourism
Maja Gojković confirmed Serbia’s intention to sign a new cooperation document between Vojvodina and the Almaty Region. The updated agreement will build on the 2016 framework while reflecting new priorities, including:
- Economic cooperation and investment
- Artificial intelligence and biotechnology
- Cultural and sports exchanges
Focus on agricultural science
As part of his visit, the Ambassador toured the National Institute of Field Crops and Vegetable Production “NS Seme” in Novi Sad, where he held talks with its leadership.
The Kazakh side outlined pressing challenges facing domestic seed production, highlighting the importance of:
- Developing joint hybrids of grain, oilseed, and vegetable crops
- Organizing professional internships
- Training scientific personnel in agricultural research
The Institute’s management expressed strong interest in expanding cooperation with Kazakhstan, noting previous experience working with Kazakh agricultural universities and companies. They also confirmed their readiness to sign a memorandum of cooperation with the Kazakh National Agrarian Scientific-Educational Center.
Vojvodina as a key economic partner
Vojvodina, located in northern Serbia, is one of the country’s leading economic regions. Its administrative center and largest city is Novi Sad.
The province plays a major role in Serbia’s economy, particularly in:
- Agriculture and food production
- Energy and logistics
- Innovation and research
The region hosts major facilities, including the Pančevo oil refinery, the “NS Seme” institute, the BioSense Institute for digital agriculture technologies, and Serbia’s Institute for Artificial Intelligence.
Novi Sad has also been designated the European City of Sport for 2026, reflecting its growing international profile.
Trade ties driven by the region
According to official Serbian statistics, about 90 percent of trade between Kazakhstan and Serbia is attributed to Vojvodina, totaling around 813 million euros. This underscores the province’s role as a key gateway for economic cooperation between the two countries.
The visit demonstrated that regional partnerships are becoming an increasingly important driver of Kazakhstan–Serbia relations, particularly in areas linked to agriculture, innovation, and logistics.
