Exchange between Serbia and Russia exceeds USD 3 billion

BELGRADE - Exchange between Serbia and Russia totalled slightly over USD 3 billion in 2013 which is by 11.6 percent more than in 2012, officials stated at the gathering entitled 'Serbia-Russia: Exports without borders.'

Russian representatives stated in the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS) that the enormous Russian market is in great need of Serbia's agricultural products and added that Serbia should make better use of the Free Trade Agreement with the Russian Federation.

Apart from some members of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Serbia is the only European country which signed the Free Trade Agreement with the Russian Federation.

Serbia's exports to Russia totalled slightly over USD 1 billion in 2013, which constitutes an increase of 22.2 percent relative to 2012. Imports from Russia increased by 6.6 percent in 2013, adding up to USD 1.96 billion.

According to the PKS data, Serbia for the most part imports energy from Russia while hold-ups and tights constitute the greatest contribution to its exports.

PKS President Zeljko Sertic said that the number of Serbian companies operating in Russia has increased considerably thanks to the Free Trade Agreement.

Sertic said that PKS is cooperating with all Russian companies operating in Serbia.

The meeting was attended by Valentin Masenkov of the cabinet of Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin who said in the letter that the sale of Serbian products on the Russian market should increase.

During the gathering, officials discussed routes and specificities of delivery of goods to Russia from Europe and Balkan countries, regulations and procedures of customs clearance when exporting goods to Russia, as well as finance...