The 11th session of the National Trade Facilitation Body (NTFB), was held on November 27-28, 2024, in Subotica, supported by SECO Swiss Programme on Capacities for Trade Policies (C4TP). At this session, as in previous years, representatives of competent ministries and agencies and representatives of the business community analyzed results of implementation of measures and activities from Action Plans for 2024-2025, as well as the main challenges and plans for the next period.

The guidelines and proposals from the business community were highly valued, especially those from the representatives of Serbian Chamber of Commerce, American Chamber of Commerce in Serbia, Foreign Investors Council, as well as from the representatives of NALED and the National Association of Forwarding Companies and Agents, who actively joined the NTFB in May and October this year.

Thanks to the joint work and results achieved so far, after seven years from founding of NTFB this body still represents an important forum for public-private dialogue and that more and more business associations and companies are interested in joining.

Since it was jointly stated that the biggest problem for facilitating trade is the long waiting hours and detention of trucks at the border crossings, after the meeting, the participants visited the Horgoš Border Crossing. Main topics for the discussion with the BC officers were control procedures in international traffic carried out by the border police, border veterinary and phytosanitary inspection and the customs authority. It was noted that the border services on the Serbian side carry out all procedures very efficiently, given that there were no delays at the import terminal. However, severe congestions at the BC, constant for the last several years, are the result of increased controls on the Hungarian side and inadequate infrastructure.

On Serbian side, the infrastructure at this border crossing was further improved in October this year, when a new terminal for freight traffic began operating. Two new, special lanes for trucks were built, new traffic lanes for heavy vehicles were formed and a space with 108 parking spaces with sensors was provided. There are also a new control cabin for inspecting goods with 2 scales and a scanner, as well as control buildings for the police and customs services. These changes have significantly contributed to traffic safety and improved freight traffic, but progress in terms of traffic flow can only be achieved if similar measures are also taken by the Hungarian border crossing administration.

The National Trade Facilitation Body continues to play a key role in creating more favorable conditions for trade, and our joint work with representatives of the business community and relevant institutions will remain focused on addressing the identified challenges.