GITEX AI Serbia sparks a new era of digital innovation, connecting Southeast Europe with MENA to drive AI growth, investment, and global collaboration.
GITEX, the world’s largest network of tech & AI events, has announced its entry into Southeast Europe with GITEX AI Serbia, to be held at the Belgrade Fairgrounds from May 26 to 27, 2027. The event is organized by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and KAOUN International, in strategic partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.
Also Read: GITEX Global 2024: Epson Shows Commitment to META-CWA Region
As the officially endorsed tech event of Expo 2027 Belgrade, GITEX AI Serbia seeks to position Serbia and its neighbors as a convergence zone for regional tech growth, investment, and innovation. Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, said the event represents “an unprecedented opportunity to showcase our nation’s digital transformation journey” to investors and global partners.
Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President of DWTC & CEO of KAOUN, described the event as a chance to foster “cross-border collaboration … in the age of artificial intelligence.”
GITEX AI Serbia’s Tech Momentum and Regional Context
Serbia is already making waves in ICT and AI: the government announced a US$82.1 million (≈ EUR 70 million) AI investment plan through 2027. The nation has also established one of Southeast Europe’s earliest AI research institutes, strengthening its regional leadership in R&D and innovation.
On the ICT side, exports have surged: in the first half of 2024 alone, Serbia’s ICT sector exports grew by nearly 18.8% year-on-year, reaching €1.9 billion. In 2024 overall, Serbia’s ICT services exports reached over €3.7 billion, making the sector one of the country’s top foreign earnings sources.
GITEX AI Serbia will bring together startups, enterprises, tech leaders, and investors from across the globe. The agenda is expected to focus on cross-border collaboration, regional scaling, and unlocking Southeast Europe’s tech potential as a bridge between European, Asian, and Middle Eastern markets.
By aligning its launch with Expo 2027, this iteration of GITEX carries symbolic weight, merging technological advancement with cultural expression and regional ambition.
If this succeeds, GITEX AI Serbia could help reposition Southeast Europe as a rising AI and digital infrastructure hub, not just for local markets, but for global tech flows.
Why GITEX AI Serbia Matters to MENA
The launch of GITEX AI Serbia is not just a European milestone; it’s a bridge between MENA and Southeast Europe’s digital economies.
For the Middle East:
- It opens new investment and collaboration corridors between MENA tech companies and EU markets, especially in AI, fintech, and sustainability tech.
- It reinforces Dubai’s global influence as a hub for AI and emerging technology events, aligning with GITEX’s expansion strategy across continents.
- It offers MENA startups access to new European funding and research networks, spotlighting the region’s growing contribution to cross-border innovation.
As Serbia and MENA countries share goals around digital sovereignty and smart infrastructure, the partnership is expected to strengthen AI diplomacy and accelerate tech-driven diversification beyond oil economies.
