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Nine new agreements simplifying business operations, creating new job opportunities and strengthening consumer rights across the region have been adopted by the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA).
Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programs between CEFTA’s seven markets were recognized and agreements facilitating e-commerce and simplifying parcel delivery in the region, as well as rules allowing for unrestricted online shopping across CEFTA markets by ensuring that online shops cannot block access to websites, products, or services based on a consumer’s location and origin, were adopted by its joint committee.
According to Danijela Gacevic, acting director at CEFTA Secretariat, these agreements will help harmonise intellectual property rights standards and the establish an electronic system for risk management, as well as allow travel agencies and tour operators to gain easier access to all CEFTA markets.
This new mechanism will resolve trade disputes between CEFTA members and simplify motor insurance processes in CEFTA markets.
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, and Kosovo are currently CEFTA members among non-EU countries of Southeast Europe.
NH Logistics SER has been offering IOR Importer of Record and EOR Exporter of Record services since 2001 and is a market leader in Serbia and Eurasia, supporting many clients with their import/export shipments.

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The importance of strengthening Georgia’s function as a transit country and the “critical need” for infrastructure development were highlighted by Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party’s election staff and the Prime Minister of Georgia on Monday.
The Government’s plans to “stimulate and promote economic growth” were unveiled in his address at the presentation of the party’s election programme.
[The Infrastructure Minister] Irakli Karseladze was acknowledged as the driving force behind all this [this initiative].
According to Kobakhidze, the Government earmarked to built in Georgia’s Black Sea a town to ensure increased logistical capability between Asia and Europe, as it was working on the development of the Anaklia deep sea port project, so the country would “need to cut an emergency road”.
The ongoing infrastructure projects in eastern Georgia, including the completion of highways linking the borders with Azerbaijan and Armenia, were also highlighted by the PM.
The PM said that hey will also begin to construct a very important [eastern] Lagodekhi bypass, a four-lane highway connecting Tbilisi-Rustavi [a city near the capital] and the Tbilisi entrance and exit in the near future.
According to Kobakhidze, a “unique” 9-km long Kvesheti-Kobi tunnel had already been cut in the Stepantsminda section of the road in the north-east of the country, which would connect it to the Stepantsminda road, construction of which would be completed soon. They will also begin the construction of the first southern section of the road connecting to Stepantsminda.
It will take about 1 hour and 20 minutes to drive to Telavi after the completion of this road and about 1.5 hours to drive to Stepantsminda when the Kakheti highway will be completed. It is important for mobility of the population and for the development of the economy. The significance of these projects for regional connectivity, facilitating “faster connection” between Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia was also highlighted by Kobakhidze. He said that it has “given the new reality in [South Caucasus] region, and the implementation of these projects is especially important from an economic perspective”.
NH Logistics GEO has been offering IOR Importer of Record and EOR Exporter of Record services since 2001 and is a market leader in Georgia and Eurasia, supporting many clients with their import/export shipments.

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According to the Georgian Maritime Transport Agency, online services will be received by marine vessels entering country’s ports through a “single window” starting October 1.
The delay time in port will be reduced to 90 minutes with the introduction of the new system for container ships and to four hours for other types of vessels, servicing of vessels in port will be accelerated and shipping companies’ costs will be significantly reduced.
The maritime single window system began to be rolled out at Georgian ports in May 2023, taking into account the requirements and expectations of stakeholders while developing the online analogs of port processes.
The introduction of European rules in Georgia’s maritime sector will eliminate obstacles and barriers for international shipping, simplify procedures and bring them in line with international standards.
International donors supported the project financially.
NH Logistics GEO has been offering IOR Importer of Record and EOR Exporter of Record services since 2001 and is a market leader in Georgia and Eurasia, supporting many clients with their import/export shipments.

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An increase of 3.4% compared to the same period last year was shown by the overall external trade in the Republic of Serbia for the period January-August 2024 (USD 48591.9 million). Expressed in Euros, the increase attained 3.5% (EUR 44850.6 million).
A 1.5% growth compared to the same period last year was demonstrated by the value of exports (USD 21011.7 million or EUR 19393.5 million). The value of imports rose up by 5.0% (USD 27580.2 million) and by 5.1% expressed in Euros (EUR 25457).
The deficit increased by 18.0% in relation to the same period last year and attained USD 6568.5 million. Expressed in Euros, it rose up by 18.3% compared to the same period last year (6063.6 million).
A decrease by 2.6% was shown by the export – import ratio.
The highest level of the external trade in the reference period was registered with the counties with which agreements on free trade has been signed. 58.9% of total external trade are accounted for European Union member countries.
CEFTA countries are Serbia’s second major partners. The exports of cereals and produces thereof, beverages, oil and oil derivatives, road vehicles, and electricity made their gained surplus in external trade reach USD 2087.7 million (EUR 1926.7 million). Serbian exports in the referent period reached USD 3202.1 million (2955.3 EUR). Its imports equaled USD 1114.4 million (EUR 1028.6 million) and the export– import ratio was 287.3 %.
NH Logistics SER has been offering IOR Importer of Record and EOR Exporter of Record services since 2001 and is a market leader in Serbia and Eurasia, supporting many clients with their import/export shipments.

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The Civil Aviation Agency of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development reports that Georgian Airlines lead on air cargo transportation in Georgia in January-August 2024 with 574 cargo flights performed through Tbilisi International Airport.
The second place in the ranking of TOP-5 cargo airlines by number of performed flights belongs to Turkish Cargo with 92 flights in the reporting period.
The third position was taken by Geo Sky with 76 flights to Tbilisi International Airport in January-August 2024.
The Estonian airline Airest is fourth in the rating is with 68 flights in 8 months on the Georgian air cargo market.
The fifth place is occupied by Turkish airline MNG Airlines with 51 flights to Georgia in 8 months.
Cargo flights are currently served only by Tbilisi Airport.
NH Logistics GEO has been offering IOR Importer of Record and EOR Exporter of Record services since 2001 and is a market leader in Georgia and Eurasia, supporting many clients with their import/export shipments.

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A 3.0 % growth was demonstrated by the external merchandise trade (excluding non-declared trade) of Georgia in January-August 2024 (totally USD 14 700.8 million). 2.5 % increase was attained by the exports (4 173.9 million). The imports grew up by 3.3% (USD 10 526.9 million). The share of the negative trade balance in external trade turnover constituted 43.2 percent (USD 6 353.0 million) in January-August 2024.
The top ten Georgia’s trading partners by exports had the share of 81.7 % in the total exports in January-August 2024. Kyrgyzstan (USD 745.5 million), Kazakhstan (USD 538.2 million) and Azerbaijan (USD 476.0 million) were the top partners.
The top ten trading partners by imports had the share of 69.4 % in the total imports of Georgia in January-August 2024. Türkiye (USD 1 761.8 million), USA (USD 1 186.4 million) and Russia (USD 1 167.3 million) were the top partners.
The top ten trading partners had the share of 68.7 % in the total external trade turnover of Georgia in January-August 2024. Türkiye (USD 2 085.3 million), Russia (USD 1 636.2 million) and USA (USD 1 278.8 million) were the top trading partners.

NH Logistics GEO has been offering IOR Importer of Record and EOR Exporter of Record services since 2001 and is a market leader in Georgia and Eurasia, supporting many clients with their import/export shipments.

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According to the National Association of Sugar Producers of Ukraine, 691,800 tonnes of sugar have been exported by “Ukrtsukor” in the marketing year of 2023/2024 (approximately 77% of all exports). The main consumers of Ukrainian sugar are Italy (19%), Bulgaria (18%), and Hungary (14%), Cameroon (17%), Libya (15%) and Turkey (11%).
NH Logistics UKR has been offering IOR Importer of Record and EOR Exporter of Record services since 2001 and is a market leader in Ukraine and Eurasia, supporting many clients with their import/export shipments.

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As the First Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Levan Davitashvili, said in his speech at the official opening of the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), liberalization of trade in services and integration into the global economy are top priorities for Georgia.
Lowering barriers to trade in services will give businesses greater market access and attract more investment in key sectors such as ICT, finance, logistics and tourism. Free trade agreements facilitated this process of liberalization. Current exhibition is one of the largest profile events in the world and a good opportunity for the development of cooperation for both public and private sectors, including comprehensive chapters on services, which allow strengthening cooperation and market opportunities.
The First Vice Prime Minister said that implementing free trade agreements will help create new jobs and achieve sustainable economic growth in both traditional and emerging service sectors.
The importance of cooperation with China in the direction of trade in services, including the “Belt and Road” initiative and the free trade agreement with China in 2017, was also mentioned.
Free trade agreements were also signed between Georgia and the European Union, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), Turkey, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Levan Davitashvili says that the strategic vision of the Georgian government to become the main hub of trade in the region is represented by these agreements.
Infrastructure, innovation and education get a significant investment from the government to ensure the competitiveness of the country’s economy and readiness for successful participation in the global markets of the future.
The strategic location of Georgia is the in the main focus of Levan Davitashvili’s speech.
He says that the need to diversify supply chains is growing, and the Middle Corridor through Georgia helps achieve this goal by shortening travel times and giving wider access to different regions and markets. Important infrastructure projects in all modes of transport, including the modernization of the East-West highway and railways, are being implemented.
According to Levan Davitashvili, the challenges that are faced require a collaborative work, sharing knowledge and making common decisions that benefit all parts. A perfect platform for this is offered by CIFTIS, and Georgia is proud to be a part of this dynamic exchange.
NH Logistics GEO has been offering IOR Importer of Record and EOR Exporter of Record services since 2001 and is a market leader in Georgia and Eurasia, supporting many clients with their import/export shipments.

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As Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday during a visit to Belgrade, a free trade agreement between the two countries is going to be established soon by him and his Israeli counterpart, Isaac Herzog.
At a press conference Vucic said that it is extremely important for Serbia to conclude a free trade agreement with the state of Israel as soon as possible. He expressed his belief in mutual benefit for the both sides and confidence that it could be done much faster than normal procedures would dictate.
From his side, Herzog said during a discussion event after the press conference that it should be the main priority, as the achievement of a free trade agreement will bring the benefit to both peoples and help them achieve success together.
According to Vucic, improvement of relations on technology and artificial intelligence, AI had also been talked about. He mentioned a “huge space for cooperation” in areas such as scientific and technological cooperation that exists in further attracting Israeli investments but also in the field of cyber security, that has been discussed many times with Israeli officials.
Serbia reports that both domestic and international organisations monitoring surveillance has a track record of using various types of software produced by Israeli companies for surveillance of anti-government activists among others.
They listed Serbia’s Security Information Agency among users of the software of the Israeli company Circles In 2020, which makes it possible for the user to locate every phone in the country in seconds.
The release of Alon Ohel, who has dual Israeli and Serbian citizenship and has been held hostage by Hamas since its attack on Israel on October 7 last year was urged by both Herzog and Vucic.
Vucic’s condemnation of the Hamas attack in October 2023 was appreciated by Herzog. The war in Gaza that followed, and the mass atrocities reported by international organisations was mostly not talked about in Serbia.
According to a BIRN investigation, arms and/or ammunition worth just over 7.3 million euros were exported to Israel in July by Serbia’s main state-owned arms trader, Yugoimport-SDPR. Due to that, the total value of Serbian arms and ammunition exports to the country in 2024 was brought to 23.1 million euros.
Ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza and the exports come together. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports that more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 90,000 wounded. Israel’s need for arms is further fueled by an ongoing conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
NH Logistics SER has been offering IOR Importer of Record and EOR Exporter of Record services since 2001 and is a market leader in Serbia and Eurasia, supporting many clients with their import/export shipments.

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The National Statistics Office of Georgia reports that 7.5 times more vegetables were imported by Georgia in the first seven months of 2024 than were exported ($43.817 million in imports compared to $5.766 million in exports).
Tomatoes ($1.061 million), potatoes ($919,500), cabbage ($357,700), onions ($262,000), and lettuce ($40,500) were the top earners among the vegetables Georgia exported.
Tomatoes ($12.120 million), onions and garlic ($6.046 million), cucumbers ($4.885 million) and potatoes ($2.330 million) were listed among Georgia’s highest import expenses.
NH Logistics GEO has been offering IOR Importer of Record and EOR Exporter of Record services since 2001 and is a market leader in Georgia and Eurasia, supporting many clients with their import/export shipments.

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