BELGRADE, September 13. /Dunyo IA/. Serbia and Uzbekistan are preparing to launch a process that could lead to the conclusion of a free trade agreement between the two countries, reports Dunyo IA correspondent, citing an interview with Serbian Minister of Internal and Foreign Trade Jagoda Lazarević with Serbian broadcaster RTS.

According to the minister, economic cooperation between the two countries has intensified significantly over the past year. Following the visit of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to Tashkent in October last year and ahead of the visit of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, four business forums were held.

Jagoda Lazarević highlighted strong potential for cooperation in agriculture, industry and textiles. Serbia already supplies the Uzbek market with food-processing equipment and seeds, while the two sides are considering opportunities to establish joint ventures.

“The creation of new jobs and the opening of new markets will enable companies from the two countries to jointly enter third-country markets,” the minister said.

According to her, Serbia is also considering expanding imports from Uzbekistan, particularly nuts and dried fruits, as well as processing Uzbek raw materials at Serbian enterprises.