In the presence of representatives of the state leadership and diplomacy, the factory of the company Continental Automotive Serbia was opened in Novi Sad. The German company is one of the world leaders in the automotive industry, and plans to invest 140 million euros in the production of automotive electronics in Novi Sad and to employ at least 500 workers. The event was attended, among others, by the Mayor of Novi Sad Miloš Vučević, the President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia Ana Brnabić, the Prime Minister of Provincial Government Igor Mirović and the Ambassador of Germany Thomas Schieb. The opening of this plant was preceded by the establishment of the Scientific Research Center of the company in Novi Sad.

- Novi Sad got a powerful "high-tech" factory that will keep young professionals in our city. After 600 domestic engineers have already started their careers in the prestigious "Continental", I am proud that today, in the presence of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, I had the honor to attend the opening of the plant, which is the first phase of the entire investment of 140 million euros, located in the 8000 square meters of production and business space in the Industrial Zone Novi Sad, North 4. "Continental" in Novi Sad is considered an ideal employer that provides high financial compensation, with excellent working conditions and the possibility of continuous professional profiling. Our goal is to make the life of our people better, and this is one of the ways to do that. Namely, we expect the installation of the first equipment and the start of production in the second quarter of 2021. In the second phase, in a real "greenfield" investment, the realization of which is expected by the end of 2022, "Continental" will start the works on the construction of a new factory near Kać. It is planned that the new plant building will have more than 30,000 m2 of production and business space, and it is planned that 500 new workers will find a job - Mayor Miloš Vučević pointed out.

- Today, when I saw what will be done in this factory, I am infinitely proud of the country in which we live and of the people who work in "Continental". I am glad that they made the decision to invest in Novi Sad and Serbia, and I am grateful to our young engineers who showed themselves in the right light. The R&D center in Novi Sad is highly positioned in their group, and all this shows how much we have progressed as a country in previous years. There has not been a single factory in Novi Sad for 35 years, and this is the culmination of our success in the city where the first Institute for Artificial Intelligence will be opened in April this year. We are ready for innovative technologies, and Novi Sad has managed to be ahead of everyone else. I thank the German Embassy for its support. Only in the north of the country have we opened many factories together, and German factories bring great progress to local communities and without their help we would not be able to be so successful in the economy. I am grateful to Chancellor Merkel who helped us in the most difficult moments and opened the way for the best cooperation between Germany and Serbia - the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, pointed out.

According to the words of the director of "Continental" for Serbia, Sasha Cioringa, in the Development and Research Center, which was opened on March 7, 2018, today there are 600 highly qualified experts who develop the most advanced systems.

- I am firmly convinced that this factory will set the highest standards when it comes to product quality and working conditions, and our young, educated people will have the opportunity to create trends on the world market - said Cioringa.