Increase volume and diversify structure: Belarus and Serbia are stepping up exchange trading.

Photo: BUCE, January 22, Minsk . Belarus and Serbia intend to intensify cooperation in exchange trading in a number of key areas. Plans include increasing the volume and diversifying the structure of Belarusian-Serbian exchange trade by introducing new products in demand in both countries' markets. This was reported to BELTA by the commodity exchange press service.

Serbia, for example, is interested in purchasing Belarusian meat and dairy products, rapeseed oil, feed additives, semi-finished leather products, and scrap metal. Belarus, in turn, is ready to import agricultural seeds, plant protection products, corn, polymers, industrial oils, and non-ferrous metals from Serbia. It is expected that the broader use of the exchange mechanism by Belarusian and Serbian companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises, will contribute to strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

"The exchange can become an 'electronic window' to the Belarusian market for Serbian businesses, simplifying the search for trading partners and providing access to up-to-date price information. Statistics clearly confirm that Serbian companies find the exchange platform convenient to operate," noted Alexander Osmolovskiy, Chairman of the Board of BUCE. "Since the beginning of the year, trading participants from Serbia have already concluded exchange transactions totaling $1.6 million. This includes the export of Belarusian milk powder, as well as supplies of beet seeds and herbicides to Belarus."

Incidentally, last year, exchange trade turnover between Belarus and Serbia increased more than 37-fold – from $110,000 in 2023 to $4.1 million in 2024. Alexander Osmolovskiy added that this year, given the successful trading in January, they plan to achieve even higher figures.

The partners also intend to develop their exchange cooperation by accrediting new trading participants from Serbia at BUCE, and eventually, a stockbroker who will inform Serbian businesses about the benefits of exchange trading and assist with transactions. To this end, at the request of Minister of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade Artur Karpović, the possibility of holding a stock exchange seminar in Belgrade for representatives of the Serbian business community is being explored.

Furthermore, with the support of the Serbian side, a partnership is planned between BUCE and the Novi Sad Commodity Exchange, which will allow for combined efforts to promote exchange instruments among businesses in Belarus and Serbia.