BIO4 Campus at the Center of Minister Begović’s Talks with the World Bank in Washington, D.C.
28/08/2026
Photo: NITRA
Minister of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation, Dr. Jelena Begović, continued her visit to the United States with meetings in Washington, D.C. She met with Dominik Favre, Executive Director and Serbia’s representative at the World Bank, and Karolina Sanchez, Vice President of the World Bank for Europe and Central Asia.
"We discussed potential further investments from the World Bank in science, innovation, and the startup ecosystem. We presented the BIO4 Campus project and discussed the Innovation Acceleration and Entrepreneurship Growth Project, which is already being implemented in Serbia. This project aims to transform scientific institutes, enhance their innovation activities, and increase the number of startup companies," said Dr. Begović.
She added that discussions also touched on additional investments and plans for the BIO4 Campus.
"We agreed to begin talks about further support through the presence of various experts in Serbia, who would help us advance the BIO4 Campus and increase the number of startups emerging from institutes. We also mentioned the potential to expand this project to include universities, given the interest from some faculties. This approach would gradually engage the entire scientific community and align it with contemporary developments," explained Dr. Begović.
"I am impressed by Serbia’s ambition in the field of innovation. It was extremely significant to see how the World Bank responded to Minister Begović’s proposals, especially regarding artificial intelligence and biotechnology. There aren’t many countries that come to the World Bank seeking to exchange such experiences, and Serbia's approach was received exceptionally well and promisingly. I look forward to seeing concrete collaboration and partnerships between Serbia and the World Bank," said Mr. Favre, one of the 25 Executive Directors of the World Bank Board. He represents nine countries, including Serbia, a role he is particularly proud of following the successful meeting with the World Bank.
