Resumen
The aim of this paper is to show, on the basis of relevant systematized knowledge from the scientific and professional publications, the key changes in the structure of the world economy and world trade, as well as to identify the impacts of these changes on the structure and volume of exports of the Republic of Serbia. First of all, we show the theoretical and methodological limitations in the study of the dynamics and structure of the world economy and world trade. Secondly, IMF evaluations in relation to the global growth in trade and GDP relating to 2016 and 2017 are presented. Then follows the analysis of the structure of the global import and export of goods by sector, according to the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC), and the analysis of the structure of foreign trade of the Republic of Serbia divided by products, as well as by SITC sections and divisions. Finally, the paper shows the importance of foreign direct investments (FDI) for the structural improvement of production and export increase of the Republic of Serbia.