ICT and bioeconomy: a synergistic future Thanks to recent state policies, the Republic of Serbia has been recognized as a regional leader in the fields of science, technological innovation and digital transformation. Investments in key infrastructure, such as national data centres, supercomputers and modern e-Government systems, are further positioning us in the highly demanding and dynamic market of participants in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. With additional investments in key digital infrastructure of national importance expected in the coming years, we are not only improving public services but also laying the foundation for future development in areas such as healthcare, natural sciences and the bioeconomy. These investments enable Serbia to continue supporting researchers, entrepreneurs and scientists, thereby significantly contributing to the improvement of the quality of life for all our citizens and setting standards for innovative scientific and technological solutions in the region, and in the broader scientific community. Mihailo Jovanović, Director, Office for Information Technology and e-Government The connection between ICT and biotechnology, particularly AI and bioinformatics, offers Serbia a unique opportunity to lead in precision medicine, sustainable resource management and health- focused biotechnology. The Office for IT and eGovernment plays a key role in this ecosystem by developing national ICT infrastructure, maintaining strategic data registries (including for genetic and biomedical data) and supporting the integration of digital technologies into public administration and scientific research.Serbia’s ICT market continues to attract leading global firms, such as Microsoft, Rivian, SAP , Schneider Electric, Stellantis, Bosch, Huawei, Oracle, Continental, Cisco Systems and Asseco. These companies have established R&D centres in Serbia or outsourced development to Serbian ICT companies. With 35 higher education institutions offering ICT programmes and over 1,500 ICT graduates annually, Serbia has a strong foundation for innovation.29 The BIO4 Campus further strengthens this vision. It has already signed memoranda of understanding (MoU) with global leaders like Roche, Pfizer, Takeda, Swiss Rockets, AstraZeneca, Novartis, Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), Merck, Medtronic, BGI and others. With its multidisciplinary approach, the BIO4 Campus aims to position Serbia as a European hub for biotechnology, bioinformatics, biodiversity and the broader bioeconomy. It integrates research, education and innovation, enabling advancements in personalized medicine and data-driven bio-solutions.30Number of employees in the ICT sector 2012-2022 FIGURE 5Number of employees (thousands) 2012 2014 2018 2020 20222040100 80 60 20160 Source: Trading Economics. (n.d.). GDP Annual Growth Rate Europe. Pathways to Bioeconomy and Bioconvergence 12

Pathways to Bioeconomy and Bioconvergence Perspectives from Serbia and Israel 2025