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Nikola Pejović, Umka Cardboard Mill General Manager

Sustainability and Quality as Foundations of Trust

The Umka Cardboard Mill boasts a rich tradition dating all the way back to 1939, when it was first established to produce paper and...

Miodrag Kostić Endowment

Palace of Science Welcomes Visitors

Thanks to Miodrag Kostić’s gift to the Serbian society that’s worth over 25 million euros, an area of 5,500m² in one of Belgrade’s most...

dm drogerie

CSR Marks Milestone Year for dm

Retail chain dm drogerie markt, a leader in corporate social responsibility in Serbia, concluded its anniversary year with numerous humanitarian activities and monetary and...

Kathrine Decorzant, general manager, JTI Adriatica

Benchmark for Success

JTI represents one of the largest Japanese investments in Serbia and the country’s leading tobacco company, which has been recognised as a Top Employer...

Aleksandar Momčilović, sales and service manager at Daikin Serbia (Heating & Cooling expert)

Trust Built on Expertise

Daikin has introduced many global “firsts” and patented technologies that have become indispensable in modern air conditioners and heat pumps ~ says Diakin Serbia’s...

Milorad Filipović, Professor at the University of Belgrade Faculty of Economics

The Plan Is Good, But Not Generous

The Western Balkan countries’ public investment needs are incomparably higher than the amount earmarked for the plan, which means that it will continue to be extremely important for these countries to have access to the international capital market

The countries of the Western Balkans are back in the “focus” of EU policy following several years in which all attention was focused on the conflict in Ukraine. Following a certain degree of mutual fatigue in cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkan countries, due primarily to contrasting interpretations of that cooperation, it is as if Europe’s developed countries realised that the Western Balkan region – and Serbia in particular, as the largest economy in that region – also has other alternatives besides the EU when it comes to economic, financial and political cooperation.

China’s rising economic influence and Russia’s political influence in Serbia send a signal to the EU that it must lead a more active policy in the region if it wants to integrate it into EU structures. This was stressed openly by Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán in a recent interview with the Austrian media, with him adding that the number one priority of Hungary’s EU presidency, from 1st July 2024, will be Serbia’s swift integration in order to prevent the country from slipping towards China or Russia. As such, the €6 billion European growth plan should represent the main motivational “carrot” for Western Balkan countries.

An emphasis should be placed on applying the highest standards in the construction of infrastructure, as well as advanced technologies that would raise the level of competitiveness of the Western Balkan countries

Although the European growth plan seems impressive at first glance, it is but a drop in the ocean when compared to the grants awarded to Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria in their accession processes. This is particularly accurate when considering that the plan in question applies to five (or 6, according to the EU) Western Balkan countries. On the other hand, the public investment needs of the Western Balkan countries are incomparably higher than the amount earmarked for the plan, which means that it will continue to be extremely important for these countries to have access to the international capital market. The priority in the Western Balkans’ development should be given to connecting these countries in terms of infrastructure (roads, energy connections, transport and information infrastructure), as well as increasing mutual exchanges of goods and services. An emphasis should be placed on applying the highest standards in the construction of infrastructure, as well as advanced technologies that would raise the level of competitiveness of the region’s countries.

As for Serbia and the nationalised plan to develop through EXPO 27, it is striking that there has been no presenting of the study that was prepared (by consulting company Horváth) with the aim of acquiring this project. As with any investment study, it should have considered the cost-effectiveness of the project, the kind of financial construction envisaged, the expected effects until 2027 and beyond etc., all the way up to the financial and socioeconomic analysis of the return on the investment. Unfortunately, political events unfolding in 2024 threaten to cast serious doubt over the possibility of utilising funds from the European plan due to the setting of political conditions. And this would cause the complete disruption of Serbia’s plans and the possibility of achieving high growth rates (the World Bank predicts growth of 4.5% for Serbia in 2025).

Comment by Zoran Panović

The Absurdity of Reality

Amid the unfolding upheaval surrounding Trump’s return to the White House, mass Student-led protests have erupted in Serbia. The trigger was a tragedy at...

Florian Bieber, Professor for Southeast European History and Politics at the University of Graz and director of the Centre for Southeast European Studies

Autocratic Regimes Spark Mass Protests

Protests in Slovakia, Georgia and Serbia stem from different causes, but reflect broader political frustration and often inspire one another There have been large protest...

Vladan Marjanović, journalist of weekly news magazine Radar

Violence Threatens from Above and Below

With Trump’s return to the White House, the world has entered a period in which the power of state repression, based on the violating...

Slobodan G. Markovich, Faculty of Political Science of the University of Belgrade

The Mutiny of Zoomers and the Belgrade Student Protests

Gen Z in the West and Serbia seeks security and respect, expecting institutions – and not politicians – to deliver. Using likes, dislikes and...

IWC Opens Call for Proposals for Women Empowerment Projects in Serbia

Following the success of its 2024 Charity Bazaar, which raised over 4 million RSD, the International Women’s Club of...

Neoplanta Celebrates New Life with Generous Gesture

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The Hermitage Days are Being Held Again in Belgrade in 2025

The Hermitage Days in Serbia represent a unique international cultural project that will take place from February 19 to...

AgroBelgrade 2025 – A Hub for Innovation and Trade in Agriculture and Horticulture

Over 500 exhibitors will converge at the three-day AgroBelgrade 2025, bringing together the best of Eastern Europe’s fruit, vegetable,...

Djokovic into Australian Open Semifinals After Victory Over Alcaraz

The best Serbian tennis player, Novak Djokovic, secured his place in the Australian Open semifinals after an incredibly thrilling...

The Hermitage Days are Being Held Again in Belgrade in 2025

The Hermitage Days in Serbia represent a unique international cultural project that will take place from February 19 to...

Djokovic into Australian Open Semifinals After Victory Over Alcaraz

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UK Surges to Second in Global Investment Rankings, Offering Hope Amid Economic Uncertainty

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Orban Visits Belgrade: Hungary and Serbia Aim for Affordable Energy for All

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban emphasized the joint goal of Hungary and Serbia to make energy accessible to citizens...

Nigeria Joins BRICS as a Partner Country

Nigeria has been admitted to BRICS as a partner country, the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced. Brazil currently...

The Hermitage Days are Being Held Again in Belgrade in 2025

The Hermitage Days in Serbia represent a unique international cultural project that will take place from February 19 to...

Djokovic into Australian Open Semifinals After Victory Over Alcaraz

The best Serbian tennis player, Novak Djokovic, secured his place in the Australian Open semifinals after an incredibly thrilling...

UK Surges to Second in Global Investment Rankings, Offering Hope Amid Economic Uncertainty

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Orban Visits Belgrade: Hungary and Serbia Aim for Affordable Energy for All

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban emphasized the joint goal of Hungary and Serbia to make energy accessible to citizens...

Nigeria Joins BRICS as a Partner Country

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