Investment in Western Balkans

Investment in Western Balkans

The growth rates of the countries in the region have outpaced Central European economies on average by 5 percent, Jedlicka said.

He pointed out that Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Macedonia and Croatia were very active in reforming their economies and attracting FDI, which totaled US$ 3.4bn in 2005 and US$ 15bn from 2001 through 2005.

Numerous analyses indicate that economic growth in the region will continue, Jedlicka said, while inflation will be kept at bay with a tendency to decrease.

Speaking about the difficulties that the southeaster Europe faces, Jedlicka highlighted the high level of unemployment, rendering job creation the biggest challenge for all the countries and an opportunity for investors.

The experience of companies that invested in this region with 30 million potential consumers show that the countries, aside from a good geographic position, can also offer a competitive business environment and inexpensive labor.

Jedlicka believes that the countries of the Western Balkans will enter the EU in the next five to ten years, adding this was a good opportunity for investors.