The Zrenjanin highway is currently the largest infrastructure project in Serbia done by Shangdong enterprises. [Photo/Shandian News]

Construction has officially begun for the Zrenjanin highway project in Serbia, undertaken by Shandong High-speed Group.

This highway is the first infrastructure project planned, designed, and constructed by a Chinese enterprise in Serbia under the framework of an economic and technical cooperation agreement. It is also the largest infrastructure project currently being implemented by a Shandong enterprise in Serbia.

The main line of the project is 105.4 kilometers long, with a maximum design speed of 130 km per hour. It will serve as a major artery in northern Serbia that connects the capital Belgrade, the industrial city of Zrenjanin, and the second largest city Novi Sad.

Once completed, the project will achieve a breakthrough in the construction of highways in northern Serbia, significantly improving the level of connectivity between regions and driving economic development along the route.

Since entering the Serbian market in 2011, Shandong High-speed Group has fully leveraged its advantages in the infrastructure industry value-chain. It has actively participated in the development of local roads, railways, and China-Europe freight trains. The group has successively implemented major projects such as the Belgrade China Cultural Center Tower and the E763 Highway, making positive contributions to the economic and social development of Serbia.

Shandong High-speed Group had 125 ongoing overseas projects as of June, with a total contract value exceeding 56 billion yuan ($7.87 billion). As a leading enterprise in Shandong's globalization strategy, its business scope covers over 60 countries and regions worldwide.