Coordinating center to aid exports to Russia set up

BELGRADE - The Coordinating Center for assisting Serbian businesses in exporting food products to Russia, which will be run by officials of the Ministries of Trade and Agriculture and the Customs Administration, has started work at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS).

The coordinating center will be available to exporters around the clock and will be in constant contact with the Trade Mission of the Russian Federation in Serbia to make sure any misunderstandings or issues concerning exports to the Russian market are immediately resolved, the PKS said in a release.

The center will be comprised of officials of the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Communications, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection and the Customs Administration, said the release.

Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Rasim Ljajic and PKS President Zeljko Sertic met with representatives of the Fruits of Serbia (Plodovi Srbije) association on Monday to discuss opportunities for increasing exports of fruits and vegetables to Russia after a decision of the government in Moscow to introduce a one-year ban on imports of certain agricultural products from EU countries.

Officials of the Customs Administration and the Plant Protection Directorate said that Serbia's fruit and vegetables bound for the Russian market, and also imports from the EU and other countries to the Serbian market, would start being more strictly controlled in the coming period to prevent possible abuses, particularly re-exports, the PKS said.

According to Sertic, dozens of companies in the EU are attempting to make contacts through Serbia and re-export goods.

“No machinations by the importing lobby or anybody else will be allowed and...