WT/MIN(24)/ST/ 2 
26 February 2024 
(24-1359) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth  Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26 -29 February 2024  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR TOMISLAV MOMIROVIĆ  
MINISTER OF INTERNAL AND FOREIGN TRADE  
SERBIA 
(Speaking as an Observer)  
I have the honor and privilege to address you on behalf of the Republic of Serbia. At the outset, 
I would like to warmly thank the Government of the United Arab Emirates for hosting the 
Ministerial  Conference. Also I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the distinguished and 
honourable leaders of the UAE who were always excellent and outstanding  hosts of many global, 
major multilateral events, such as the EXPO Dubai, the COP28, just to mention a few. Special thanks 
goes to the WTO Secretariat, led by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala, Director -General for her relentless 
efforts in moving the trade agenda f orward.  
 
This Conference is being held in challenging and extremely difficult times that has not been witnessed 
in several decades in our modern history. The ongoing crisis and conflicts in Ukraine and Middle East 
are having serious negative impact and di sastrous consequences on humanitarian and security 
issues, but the international trade is also being affected severely. The sharp rise in food and energy 
prices have disrupted trade in the recent years and affected economies all around the Globe.   
 
Serbia has recognized the nature of pressures spilling over from the global market. Our Government 
carefully considers measures to preserve food security and to support economy, as well as to boost 
the trade in this very difficult external situation. Owing to the  prior prudent macroeconomic and 
fiscal policies, the Serbian Government responded responsibly to challenges. Serbia 's economic 
activity recorded growth of GDP of more than 2% in 2023. Exports of goods increased by 2.3% 
year-on-year. FDI inflow has continu ed its growth in recent years, amounting to around 
4.5 billion  Euro in 2023.  
 
Although not being a WTO Member, Serbia is following the trade facilitation trends and achieving 
positive results, recognized by the relevant international bodies, such as the U N Global Survey on 
Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation.   
 
Serbia believes that further trade liberalization might be one of the major elements of the 
post-pandemic and post -conflict economic recovery and growth. We remain dedicated to deepening 
trade liberalization in the regional framework and improving our FTA network, signing and 
negotiating additional free trade agreements in last year.   
 
I would like to thank the WTO Members and Secretariat. We appreciate the support to Serbia in the 
area of tec hnical assistance and capacity building. We remain committed to the rules and principles 
of the multilateral trading system.  
 
We believe that this Conference should send a strong signal of the vitality of the multilateral trading 
system. Trade is considered as inevitable in response to global health, environmental or security 
challenges.   
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  Serbia is prepared to take WTO commitments and responsibilities stemming from the accession 
process. We hope that our WTO Member partners would help us to expedi te this process.   
 
One more time, I would like to thank you for your attention.   
 
__________