Momirovic: FTA with Egypt great opportunity for Serbian farmers

BELGRADE - Serbian Minister of Internal and External Trade Tomislav Momirovic said on Monday a FTA signed with Egypt last weekend was a great opportunity for Serbian farmers to break into a market of more than 106 million people.

Market liberalisation for agricultural products will start as soon as the agreement enters into force following ratification by the Serbian and Egyptian parliaments.

"For agricultural products, it takes effect immediately. The tariff fees will immediately be lifted altogether or reduced. The agreement covers 87 pct of agricultural products, 50 pct of which will be taken off the tariff list immediately," Momirovic told Tanjug.

"We got our chance, we got a market, and I am confident our people will take that seriously. This is not a gift, but an opportunity," Momirovic noted.

He said the FTA would create jobs for thousands of newly-employed people and ensure higher selling prices to Serbian farmers, especially fruit growers.