Fish and fish products are among the most widely traded food commodities in the world, with trade totaling around US$ 145 billion per year. Demand is especially strong in Europe. Market access and regional trade in fish products in Eastern Europe – especially with regard to the World Trade Organization – are the focus of a three-day workshop opening here today.

The regional capacity-building workshop – “WTO, Market Access and Fish Trade” – is organized by FAO, EUROFISH, Serbia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.

Representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, and Turkey will present and discuss case studies of fisheries-related regulations and policies in their countries.