Minister of Economy Mladjan Dinkic and Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of Japan in Belgrade Teruhiko Shinada signed a bilateral protocol on the completion of negotiations with Japan, as part of the process of Serbia's accession to the World Trade Organization.

"There is a good chance we will become a member of WTO next year, as we will fully harmonize our legislation with the regulations of this organization by mid-year, and we plan conclude the remaining bilateral negotiations by the end of 2010," Dinkic said.

Japanese Embassy Charge d'Affaires Teruhiko Shinada said the completion of bilateral talks could "contribute to the enhancement of economic relations between Japan and Serbia."

"An increasing number of Japanese businesspeople are showing interest in Serbia, but the number of Japanese investors is still insufficient. I want Serbia to take maximum advantage of this opportunity, so as to attract new investment from Japan," Shinada said.

Japan is the first WTO member with which Serbia signed a bilateral protocol, ever since the country has begun the process of accession to this organization in 2005.