PM wants Serbia to transition to "knowledge-based economy"

She spoke at the Petnica Research Station near Valjevo, in western Serbia, at the opening of the 16th annual regional conference gathering young scientists, dubbed, "Step into Science."

According to her remarks published by the government, Brnabic also that "an economy based on innovations is an economy where we rely on our own resources."

An economy based on innovations is an economy where we do not compete based on cheap labor, subsidies... but on the extent of our reliance on our own resources, Brnabic said, according to Tanjug.

Via the Fund for Young Talents, the government is investing in talented high school and university students, she said and recalled that since 2008, 23,000 pupils and students received scholarships worth a total of RSD 5.6 billion.

The "Step into the Science" gathering is the central annual event of the Petnica Research Station, where, during four days, 200 participants - high school students, students and scientists - will discuss the results of 110 research projects from 15 scientific areas that were realized this year, the government said.

In addition to the results of scientific projects, mentored by young scientists, small innovations in the field of robotics, programming and biotechnology will be presented.

High school students from the region, from Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Macedonia, will also present their results.