REGIONAL COOPERATION AND ECONOMIC INTEGRATION

CEFTA-2006 TRADE COOPERATION
Table 6: Participation of trade exchange within the CEFTA – 2006 in the total
trade exchange
(million USA $) 2006 2007 2008
Serbia
trade within
the CEFTA-2006
841 987 1.465
Net export
or (net import)
275 191 405
Croatia
trade within
the CEFTA-2006
203 274 136
Net export
or (net import)
45 54 93
Bosnia and
trade within
the CEFTA-2006
92 123 158
Herzegovina Net export
or (net import)
38 53 52
Albania
trade within
the CEFTA-2006
53 93 143
Net export
or (net import)
29 53 71
Moldova
trade within
the CEFTA-2006
0.30 0.45 3
Net export
or (net import)
0.04 0.09 (3)
EU*
trade within the
SAA
2.976 4.770 5.617
Net export
or (net import)
(324) (405) (853)
Source: Reports on foreign trade of Macedonia 2007and 2008
Notice:Data for 2006and EU is for the comparison.
The data for trade exchange among countries in the region unambiguously leads to the
conclusion that there is a positive quantitative change in the scope of exchange, but there
is still missing the qualitative changes in the structure of the exchange. During the period
2006-2008, the intermediary goods, food and row materials keep their level of participation
in the structure of exports. Unfortunately, if this situation persists, then on the long run
Macedonian economy couldn’t expect positive effects on the economic growth from its
trade openness.
CONCLUSION
The participation of the total trade in the BDP increases continuously. Started from 76%
in 1994 it has increased up to 109% in 2007 1 . Beside the raised trade liberalization, the
positive effect on the economic growth of the country is missing. All signed agreements
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