Trade between Serbia and Switzerland grows in 2013

BELGRADE - Trade between Serbia and Switzerland in 2013 saw an annual growth of 18.6 percent and totaled USD 316 million, said participants at a meeting held at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS) Thursday to celebrate the setting up of a Swiss-Serbian chamber of commerce.

Last year, Serbia’s exports to Switzerland amounted to USD 104 million and imports from Switzerland totaled USD 211.9 million. The export-import ratio was 49.1 percent.

Within the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) framework, Switzerland is the most significant trade partner for Serbian economy's as trade between Serbia and the country accounted for 87.5 percent in Serbia’s overall commodity exchange with the trade bloc's members in 2012.

In 2013, top export items from Serbia to Switzerland include electrical energy, fuels, lubricants, wooden furniture parts, printing machine parts, sheet metal, raspberries, tires, prefab structures and marble plates.

Top items Serbia imported from Switzerland include electricity, medicines, watches, pacemakers and other medical devices, chocolates and jewelry.

The PKS said that the greatest opportunity for increase in trade lies in agriculture, textile, metal, food, machine and tourism industries.

Switzerland is the most important country by the amount of donations and humanitarian aid to Serbia, which amounted to EUR 122 million in the 2001-2012 period.

The funds were intended for energy sector, reform and modernization of the state administration and as assistance to local governments.