International Trade Relations of the CEFTA 2006 Countries

Marko Tomljanović – University of Rijeka, Faculty of Economics and Business, Ivana Filipovića 4, 5100 Rijeka, Republic of Croatia

Igor Cvečić – University of Rijeka, Faculty of Economics and Business, Ivana Filipovića 4, 5100 Rijeka, Republic of Croatia

Ana Malnar – University of Rijeka, Faculty of Economics and Business, Ivana Filipovića 4, 5100 Rijeka, Republic of Croatia

Abstract: The research aims to analyse the international trade relations of CEFTA-2006 countries. The research is based on secondary data obtained from the World Bank database and covers the period 2010-2022. The anal­ysis includes key indicators of international trade, such as: (1) indicators showing the importance of foreign trade for the national economy; and (2) indicators of international trade that focus on competitiveness and the ben­efits of participation in international trade. The research identified a signif­icant import dependence of the assessed group of countries, where the EU was identified also as a major trading partner. The results show that signifi­cant gains have been achieved, although international competitiveness has stagnated, which is particularly evident in the export of high-tech products. As the process of European integration intensifies, the CEFTA-2006 countries need to find more efficient ways to increase competitiveness and invigorate the convergence process, especially through reforms that could boost eco­nomic progress and further integration.

8th International Scientific Conference – EMAN 2024 – Economics and Management: How to Cope With Disrupted Times, Rome, Italy, March 21, 2024, CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS, published by: Association of Economists and Managers of the Balkans, Belgrade, Serbia; ISBN 978-86-80194-83-7, ISSN 2683-4510, DOI: https://doi.org/10.31410/EMAN.2024

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