ABSTRACT: The article explores the Yugoslav foreign trade network in Italy during the 1960s and 1970s, focusing on the institutional and organizational framework through which trade was conducted. The aim is to examine how state institutions, foreign branches, and economic enterprises interacted in practice, and to what extent they succeeded in building a coherent system of cooperation. Special attention is given to conflicts between producer and intermediary companies, the role of consulates and the embassy, and the effects of economic reforms such as the introduction of Basic Organizations of Associated Labor (OOUR). The analysis is based on archival documents from the Archive of Yugoslavia, consular correspondence, and internal reports of Yugoslav institutions operating in Italy.

KEYWORDS: Socialist Yugoslavia, international trade, Italy, post-1945 history, economic history, trade network

SUMMARY: Between the end of World War II and the late 1970s, the Yugoslav foreign trade presence in Italy was shaped by fragmented institutional structures, weak coordination, and systemic inefficiencies. Despite efforts to consolidate the network, most notably through projects such as SACET, the trade apparatus remained poorly integrated and unable to ensure operational coherence. Communication between federal authorities in Belgrade and Yugoslav actors on the ground in Italy was limited, while long-term strategic planning was largely absent. Trade decisions were often driven by short-term interests, leading to opportunistic behavior and inconsistent practices. Institutional reforms introduced during the 1970s, including the Basic Organizations of Associated Labor (OOUR), failed to address these problems and in some cases further complicated the system. The structural weaknesses were further exacerbated by conflicting priorities among Yugoslav enterprises, competition between intermediary and production-based firms, and unclear lines of authority between domestic institutions and their foreign branches. Frequent cases of poor logistical coordination, price mismatches, and misaligned incentives contributed to a pattern of missed opportunities and commercial setbacks. These limitations undermined the effectiveness and credibility of Yugoslavia’s trade operations in Italy, restricted its ability to build lasting commercial relationships, and ultimately constrained its economic performance within the Italian market. Despite the volume of activity, the trade network remained unstable, reactive, and vulnerable to internal fragmentation–factors that significantly reduced its long-term developmental impact.