Belgrade, 30 September 2026 – How new technologies and business models are reshaping the financial market, where the greatest development opportunities lie today, and how to ensure that the regulatory framework both safeguards financial stability and keeps pace with innovation were among the key issues discussed at the Fourth FIC & EBRD Financial Services Conference, held today at the Metropol Palace Hotel in Belgrade. Under the central theme “Innovation Meets Regulation”, the conference brought together representatives of the National Bank of Serbia, the Ministry of Finance, the EBRD and FIC member companies, with the aim of identifying, through direct dialogue between regulators and the business community, the next steps towards a modern, competitive and predictable financial market.

The conference was opened by Mr Grzegorz Zielinski, EBRD Managing Director for South-Eastern Europe, followed by remarks from Mr Goran Pekez, Vice President of the Foreign Investors Council and Corporate Affairs and Communications Director Adriatica at JT International. The keynote address was delivered by Ms Jorgovanka Tabaković, Governor of the National Bank of Serbia.

In his opening remarks, Grzegorz Zielinski, member of the FIC Board of Directors and EBRD Managing Director for South-Eastern Europe, noted that Serbia has a strong financial sector, a growing innovation ecosystem and a proven ability to attract international investors. He stressed: “Our experience shows that progress happens when innovation and regulation work together: innovation creates opportunities, while effective regulation provides the certainty and confidence needed for investment to flourish. By continuing to strengthen capital markets, improve the business environment and align with international standards, Serbia can unlock new opportunities for investment, mobilise private capital and support sustainable long-term growth”

Goran Pekez, Vice President of the FIC Board of Directors and Corporate Affairs and Communications Director Adriatica at JT International, addressed the participants stressing that technology is already rapidly transforming the financial sector and that market competitiveness will increasingly depend on the ability of the regulatory framework to keep pace with innovation while safeguarding stability, trust and legal certainty. “The business community is not asking for less regulation, but for better regulation – clear, predictable, coherent and applicable in a real business environment,” Pekez concluded.

Governor of the National Bank of Serbia (NBS), Ms Jorgovanka Tabaković, emphasised in her keynote address: “As regulators, it is our responsibility to safeguard what no technology can take over from us – responsibility for the work we do and responsibility towards the people for whom we do it.”

The following participants shared their experience and expertise during the panel discussion: Željko Jović, Vice-Governor of the National Bank of Serbia; Ognjen Popović, Assistant Minister in the Sector for Financial System of the Ministry of Finance; Dragan Demirović, Assistant Minister in the Sector for the Fiscal System of the Ministry of Finance; Vanja Korać, President of the FIC Taxation Committee (Philip Morris); and Danilo Mrvaljević, Co-President of the FIC Financial Services Committee (Banca Intesa). The panel was moderated by Dušan Lalić, Co-President of the FIC Financial Services Committee (Generali Osiguranje).

Over the years, FIC member companies have actively contributed to the modernisation of Serbia’s financial services sector, proposing and supporting solutions that have significantly improved digital business processes and the customer experience. Among the most important advances have been the introduction of qualified electronic signatures in the cloud, online fiscalisation and electronic invoicing, the establishment of the first registered electronic identification scheme, as well as the wider use of instant payments through the national IPS system and QR codes – from paying monthly bills to making purchases in retail outlets and online stores.

A number of initiatives launched or supported by the business community have already been translated into concrete regulatory and technological solutions, while others are expected to be implemented in the period ahead. The relevant institutions, particularly the National Bank of Serbia, have recognised the importance of these developments and, through the continued advancement of the regulatory and infrastructure framework, have made an important contribution to improving the efficiency, accessibility and competitiveness of Serbia’s financial market.

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The FIC consists of about 120 members who have invested about 49 billion euros and employ directly more than 117,000 citizens of Serbia. About 75% of the FIC member companies are companies from the EU. Corporate culture, highly ethical operations, and modern principles of corporate management of member companies make the FIC a reliable partner not only for the Government of the Republic of Serbia but also for domestic companies. Despite numerous challenges over time, the FIC’s key pillars have remained unchanged: independence, transparency, expertise, best international practices, and, above all, support for more intensive European integration.