Chinese auto parts maker Minth Holdings Limited plans to invest almost €2bn in Serbia over the next few years, including €950mn for new manufacturing plants in Leskovac and Ćuprija, and an additional €870mn for an electric vehicle (EV) factory in Inđija, officials announced last week.

The investments highlight the country’s emergence as a key manufacturing base for global automotive and EV producers. Serbia’s improving macroeconomic conditions and pro-investment policies have attracted a wave of foreign direct investment, particularly from Chinese firms seeking access to European markets.

The new facilities in Leskovac and Ćuprija are expected to create around 2,800 jobs over five years, Economy Minister Adrijana Mesarović announced via social media. The Inđija plant, focused on EV production, will add approximately 2,200 positions. Minth already employs more than 3,500 people across its existing factories in Loznica and Šabac.

Founded in 1992 and headquartered in China, Minth operates more than 70 manufacturing sites and five research and development centres worldwide. Its clients include global automotive manufacturers such as Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen, Ford and BMW.

Serbia has seen rising capital inflows in recent years, largely driven by greenfield manufacturing projects and infrastructure financing from China. The government has actively promoted investment in high-value sectors, including transport, energy and automotive production.

Minth’s expansion adds to a growing list of major industrial investments in Serbia. Chinese tire manufacturer Linglong is building a $1bn facility in Zrenjanin, while Japan’s JFE Shoji is developing a €50mn electric motor core plant in Inđija. Earlier this year, Stellantis began exports of the electric Fiat Grande Panda from its revamped plant in Kragujevac.

The surge in foreign-backed projects is expected to strengthen Serbia’s industrial output and further integrate the country into global automotive and electric vehicle supply chains.