Suspension of Imports and Exports at EU Borders Seriously Threatens the Economy
The suspension of imports and exports at Schengen border crossings with the EU, caused by transport operators’ dissatisfaction with new rules restricting residence and work within the zone, is seriously disrupting supply chains, logistics, and exports. Companies operating on the Serbian market are already feeling the impact, it was emphasized at a consultative meeting of members of the Fair Competition Alliance, organized to define joint proposals for overcoming the current situation.
The meeting was opened by NALED’s Lead Adviser for Competitiveness, Jelena Mićić, who stressed that border blockades are an issue of critical importance for the domestic economy and that NALED is committed to finding constructive and sustainable solutions.
NALED’s Regulatory Reform Manager, Aleksandar Simić, pointed out that the problem affects Serbia significantly more than the European Union, noting that NALED is in contact with the Ministry of Internal and Foreign Trade and the Mission of the Republic of Serbia to Brussels.
“Although the blockades are a current crisis, long truck delays at borders represent a chronic problem, which is why a Working Group for Accelerating Border Procedures was established within the Alliance last year,” Simić said, reminding participants that an extraordinary session of the National Trade Facilitation Coordination Body (NTF-CB) will be held on January 30, where NALED will present all issues and proposals raised by Alliance members.
Representatives of the business community highlighted the consequences that border blockades have on company operations. From the Apatin Brewery the difficulties in importing raw materials from the Schengen area and exporting goods were explained, which is further slowed due to congestion at alternative border crossings.
In addition to financial losses, companies are also facing the risk of damaging their logistics reputation on the international market, representatives of Philip Morris International stressed, underlining that reliable delivery timelines are crucial for global distributors.
The President of the Fair Competition Alliance and Director of Atlantic Group, Zoran Daljević, warned that most companies have secured supplies for up to ten days, but anything beyond that would pose a major challenge, particularly for the supply of fresh fruit and vegetables. He also pointed to the need for businesses and institutions to prepare for the period following the lifting of blockades, when a sudden influx of trucks at border crossings is expected.
A representative of Lidl emphasized that the inability to import perishable goods, such as fresh fruit, vegetables, and dairy products, is one of the biggest challenges, as there is a risk that products may arrive close to their expiration dates. She also noted that such situations, in addition to financial losses, raise issues of social and environmental responsibility.
At the conclusion of the meeting, it was emphasized that the Fair Competition Alliance will continue intensive communication with relevant domestic and international stakeholders to identify sustainable solutions to overcome these challenges, while closely monitoring developments and keeping the business community informed.
