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Russia-Serbia sales up 23% in 2017, Russian Deputy PM says

Sales between Russia and Serbia increased by 23% in 2017, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said in opening remarks at the 16th session of the Serbia‑Russia Intergovernmental Committee for Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation. 

“Trade between Russia and Serbia in 2017 reached USD 2,038.7 million, which is 23.1% more than in the previous year. Russian exports grew 20.4% to USD 926.2 million, and Russian imports jumped 25.4% to USD 1,112.5 million,” Mr. Rogozin specified.

According to the above figures, the negative balance of trade amounted to USD 186.3 million.

Mr. Rogozin said the meeting in Sochi continued the practice of holding joint events in the regions of Russia. “Russia-Serbia relations traditionally develop in a spirit of mutual trust and multi-faceted cooperation. Serbia has long been Russia’s strategic partner in the Balkan region and in Europe. Symbolically, it was here in Sochi that, five years ago, the presidents of both countries signed a declaration of strategic partnership between Russia and Serbia,” he stressed.

The Deputy Prime Minister reiterated that the governments of both countries were focusing particularly on supporting an intensive political dialogue and progressive development of intergovernmental relations. “In a few days, Russia and Serbia will be celebrating the 180th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. A vital event at the end of last year was the first visit to Moscow of by Aleksandar Vucic as President of the Republic of Serbia. At their meeting on 19 December 2017, the Russian and Serbian leaders discussed the entire complex of bilateral ties, particularly economic cooperation, which our intergovernmental committee is aimed to expand,” Mr. Rogozin noted.  

The Deputy Prime Minister remarked that the committee had had a rather busy schedule between the sessions, including regular meetings of its co-chairs and meetings of working groups. During this period, he added, not only traditional fields of bilateral cooperation were on the agenda, such as energy, transport infrastructure and agriculture, but the parties also endeavoured to develop prospects for collaboration in new areas, including localization of industrial production by Russian companies in Serbia, joint projects in hi-tech and innovations, civil aircraft manufacturing, etc.

“The Serbian partners were allowed to use the Russian system of Earth remote   sensing, including for the needs of Serbia’s agricultural sector (State Space Corporation Roscosmos). Joint efforts continued to strengthen the humanitarian image and the quality of the peaceful services provided by the Russia-Serbia Humanitarian Centre in the city of Nis, including large-scale operations for mine clearing, fire-fighting and other things,” Mr. Rogozin explained.

He confirmed Moscow’s commitment to continued efforts to resolve the humanitarian problems faced by the region. The politician also stressed that Russia was open to cooperation with third countries and hoped that the Russia-Serbia centre in Nis would secure its international status.

The Deputy Prime Minister also pointed to the emerging trend toward diversification of Russia-Serbia cooperation, with an increasing share of innovative programmes and projects related to promoting Russia’s hi-tech products on the Serbian market.

“I am convinced that such projects will help develop and strengthen Russia-Serbia relations in general for a long time,” he concluded.     

At the session, representatives of Serbia’s official and business circles were invited to take part in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum scheduled for 24–26 May 2018 in St. Petersburg.