Serbia's emergence as one of Europe's most dynamic technology exporters has taken center stage this October as the country stepped up as a Future Digital Economy Partner Country at GITEX Global 2025 in Dubai. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) is leading a delegation of over 40 tech firms, ranging from established outsourcing leaders, presented on the Serbian pavilion at Gitex Global, to early-stage startups at the Expand North Star conference.
Serbia's IT exports grew from €900 million in 2016 to an estimated €5 billion in 2025, accounting for nearly ten percent of its gross domestic product, according to CCIS data. The sector employs more than 125,000 professionals, and the number of registered IT companies now exceeds 4,000, positioning the country as a major contributor to Europe's digital economy.
"This is not just a showcase," said Marko Čadež, president of CCIS. "It is a reflection of the progress Serbia's digital community has made, from software outsourcing to innovation that adds real economic value."
For years, Serbia's IT sector was best known for providing outsourced engineering talent to Western Europe and North America. That image is changing. At GITEX 2025, Serbia's national pavilion will feature companies that have moved beyond service delivery to develop proprietary products across artificial intelligence, data analytics, education, and communication technology.
Among the startups under Expand North Star 2025 were Reputeo, which builds AI-driven tools to track online reputation and sentiment; MyFlow, an innovative wellness program that transforms short breaks into powerful moments of focus; and Baby FM, a parent-focused media startup integrating audio streaming with early learning content. Together, they capture a cross-section of Serbia's startup scene - small, agile, and oriented toward global markets rather than domestic demand.
CCIS has supported this transition through new digital programs, including nine AI-based services launched in 2025 for CCIS members. These range from data analytics tools for small businesses to export catalogs and cloud-based compliance resources. The chamber's goal, Čadež said, is to make technology "accessible and useful to companies that traditionally would not have seen themselves as digital."
The Serbian delegation also included established technology firms that have become fixtures in the region's business ecosystem. Silver Bell Group, founded in Belgrade in 2013, has grown into a 600-employee company providing multilingual IT and business process outsourcing across Europe and the Middle East. The company's model, which combines scalable staffing with in-house development, reflects how many Serbian firms have evolved from cost-driven vendors into long-term strategic partners for clients abroad.
Another participant, Algotech, represents Serbia's strength in system integration. Established in 1992, the company operates across Central and Eastern Europe, delivering communication infrastructure, cloud migration, and data solutions for enterprise clients. Algotech's presence at GITEX underscores the importance of cross-border collaboration: it integrates Serbian engineering talent with partnerships from Cisco, Avaya, and Genesys to serve industries from telecommunications to public administration.
"Events like GITEX show that our companies can compete on systems, not just software," said Čadež. "They design, deploy, and maintain technologies that are essential to modern economies."
Serbia's government and private sector view the Gulf states as strategic partners for expanding trade and technology collaboration. The Middle East's demand for digital transformation, especially in fintech, energy, and logistics, aligns with Serbia's expertise in AI, automation, and product development. Several companies within the CCIS delegation already work with partners in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, reflecting the chamber's broader effort to link Serbia's digital economy with the MENA region.
Serbia's advantages are measurable. The cost of hiring technical professionals remains lower than in Western Europe, while the workforce maintains alignment with EU standards and regulatory norms. This balance of affordability and quality has helped the country gain recognition within the European Innovation Scoreboard, where it ranked among the top performers in ICT export growth for 2025.
Still, challenges persist. Brain drain and limited access to venture capital continue to affect the ecosystem, with many startups reliant on outsourcing revenue to fund product development. CCIS has responded with training, digital mentorship programs, and initiatives like working with the German Start 2 program, designed to help startups scale internationally.
At its core, Serbia's participation at GITEX Global 2025 represents a broader shift, from Serbia's participation at GITEX Global 2025 marks more than an exhibition slot -- it reflects a quiet shift from selling technical skills to building digital trust. The mix of startups and established firms in Dubai shows how the country's tech community is finding strength through diversity rather than size alone.
"Our goal isn't just to increase exports," Marko Čadež, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, explained. "We want our companies to be seen as reliable partners. people who build technology that others can depend on."