Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic said in his opening remarks that his government was working on an agriculture development strategy to increase the competitiveness of the country's agricultural sector. The document should be completed by the end of the year.

Dacic congratulated Croatia on its forthcoming entry into the European Union. "Croatia is entering the EU and I congratulate them on it. It's a pity that this government wasn't elected a little earlier because we would have entered before them," he said.

The opening ceremony was attended by Croatian Agriculture Minister Tihomir Jakovina, who underscored excellent cooperation between Croatian and Serbian businesses and expressed his satisfaction that Croatia was this year's partner country.

In the previous decade, agriculture accounted for 11% of Serbia's GDP and over 20% if the food industry is added. Its share in total exports is 23% and it accounts for 7% of imports, generating a foreign trade surplus of USD 1.2 billion.

About 20 Croatian agricultural and food producers are exhibiting their products and services with the organisational support of the Osijek County Chamber of Commerce, while the food concern Agrokor, glass packaging maker Vetropack Straza and artificial fertiliser producer Petrokemija are participating on their own.

The Croatian Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, is promoting Croatia by exhibiting and offering tastings of the most important products from four Croatian regions: Slavonia, central Croatia, Istria and Dalmatia.

During the fair a series of conferences, presentations and lectures will held to promote regional cooperation in agriculture, food industry and trade.

The Novi Sad fair is one of the biggest agribusiness shows in Serbia and among five leading fairs in Europe. It closes on May 24.