Istorija 20. Veka (Aug 2015)
Statistika i karakter spoljne trgovine Kraljevine SHS 1919-1929.
Abstract
Active trade balance was one of the most important factors of financial policy of the Kingdom of Serbs Croats and Slovenes. It was supposed to contribute to the stability of the domestic currency. This intention could not be achived until 1924 since the recovery of the economy of the Kingdom from the great casualties and material hardship in the First World War. In following years, the foreign trade balance was active, except in exceptional drought years of 1927 and 1928. The main items of export were agricultural products alongside with raw materials and semi-finished products. On the other hand, the main items of imports were manufactured goods, materials for the textile industry, different machinery and tools. Great importance for the import into the Kingdom of SHS were on its neighbours. In 1929 they accounted around 38.2% of import, while as the destination of the Yugoslav exports were absolutely dominant with 69.16%. The discrepancy between foreign trade and foreign policy of the Kingdom of SHS was obvious. Although the main Yugoslav ally at the time, France has participated in trade with only a few percent. It was similar practice with another Great War ally: Great Britain. Wider economic relations with Czechoslovakia were hindered by lack of Czech interest to purchase goods from the Kingdom of SHS. On the other hand, the most important partners were Italy, which showed huge belligerence against new Yugoslavian state, and have a strained political relations with Kingdom of SHS throughout the 1920s and Austria and Germany, both bitter enemies form the First World War.
