BELGRADE, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Serbian businessmen gathered at a trade and investment forum here on Friday to discuss new business opportunities that would boost economic cooperation between both countries.

During a visit by delegates of the Council for Promoting South-South Cooperation (CPSSC) of China to Belgrade, the forum at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia brought together representatives of around 20 Chinese and 80 Serbian companies.

Among those present were Lyu Xinhua, chairman of the CPSSC, Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Li Manchang, and representatives of the Serbian chamber of commerce and the ministry of economy.

Lyu estimated that the investment environment in Serbia is constantly improving, making the country more attractive to Chinese investors, because "products made in Serbia can be exported both to the East and West".

"This is why we estimate that the opportunities for investment here are endless," he stressed.

"Cooperation between our two countries is undergoing a major development, and it encompasses areas of infrastructure, production (with Chinese equipment and technology) and cooperation in agriculture," Lyu said, pointing out that Chinese market is also open for Serbian companies looking to invest.

"The aim of CPSSC here is not only to bring our companies to realize projects here...but also to encourage local companies to come to China, to invest and to build another bridge of cooperation between our countries," he said.

Li agreed that there are numerous opportunities for cooperation, citing the example of a company whose representative are here in Serbia today, looking to establish cooperation in the area of agriculture, specifically for the cultivation and processing of Chinese medicinal herbs here in Serbia.

Jelena Jovanovic, representative of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia expressed satisfaction because Chinese companies at the forum managed to find "common language" between Serbia's investment potentials and their own needs, and because representatives of Serbian companies will get acquainted with their future partners from China.