Poland today ranks among Serbia’s ten largest trade partners, and the total goods exchange between the two countries is expected to soon reach a value of two billion euros. This progress is thanks largely to the Polish-Serbian Business Association, which works intensively to better connect the two countries
Bilateral economic relations between Serbia and Poland should be nurtured and developed constantly, as there is an interest in that within the economy, but also extremely strong institutional support. And our interlocutor, Dr Milan Brković, knows how to make this traditionally good cooperation even better.
Could you tell us more about economic relations between Poland and Serbia as they stand, and the importance of good bilateral relations?
Traditionally good economic relations between Poland and Serbia continue to this day, with even more significant trade exchange dynamics, but also new forms of mutual cooperation.
It’s worth remembering that Serbia also had a dominant position as an economic partner of Poland during the time of the former Yugoslavia, and that is still the case today, considering that more than half of all Polish trade in the Western Balkan region relates to Serbia. Poland today ranks among Serbia’s ten largest trade partners, and the total goods exchange between the two countries is expected to soon reach a value of two billion euros. Although Serbia still has a deficit in its trade exchange with Poland, we note that it is decreasing by the year, so the foreign trade balance now stands at a level of around 80%. For Polish companies, the Open Balkan initiative is of exceptional significance, and we have companies from Poland that are already taking advantage of all the benefits of this initiative. We expect Serbia to continue to be a regional hub for Polish business in the Western Balkans.
How do global challenges reflect on our economies and economic ties between Serbia and Poland?
The global challenges confronting the two economies today haven’t seriously imperilled the dynamics and tempo of our bilateral economic cooperation. On the contrary! We are observing even greater interest in furthering ties among businesspeople; in identifying new forms of cooperation and joint initiatives.
This year, under the scope of the project We’re Close, we are launching the “Poland in Serbia” programme, which will showcase contemporary Polish products and technologies
Bilateral economic relations need to be nurtured and developed constantly, and it is evident that interest in doing so exists within the economy, as does extremely clear institutional support. What we notice in our everyday work is increased interest, among businesspeople from both countries, in obtaining reliable and relevant market information that serves in the function of making good business decisions.
What does membership in the Polish-Serbian Business Association provide?
The Polish-Serbian Business Association first emerged as an informal club of Polish businesses in Serbia back in 2010, only for it to be formally established a short time later, in order to serve the needs of the members and enable the greater efficacy of the association itself. We’ll just mention that we’re one of the founders of Polchambers – an association that brings together Polish business associations around the world and has formalised cooperation with all of the Republic of Poland’s most important state bodies and institutions. We are likewise also a member of the Council of Mixed Chambers of Commerce in Serbia and other business associations and institutions. We thereby enable our members, which include both Serbian and Polish companies, to realise tangible business activities. In accordance with our strategy, as of this year – under the scope of the project “Blizu smo” (Jesteśmy Blisko) [We’re Close] – we are launching the very important “Poland in Serbia” programme, which aims to showcase contemporary Polish products and technologies. At the same time, Serbian companies can also expect even more solid assistance in terms of analysis and support in having a more impactful performance on the Polish market.