Captures the profound transition to a multipolar world order, where the USA, EU, China, and Russia each wield significant influence. For countries like Serbia, this means constantly navigating competing interests and opportunities from these major powers.
In 2024, the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development significantly increased their funding for the Western Balkans, primarily focusing on sustainable projects and the private sector, with a notable emphasis on Serbia.
Serbia's long EU accession process is now at a crossroads, with both Serbia and the EU questioning whether the slow progress is worth the effort, especially given Serbia's ties to Russia and China.
The discussion describes the country's dual challenge of attracting foreign investment while simultaneously retaining its skilled workforce. The discussion highlights that while low labor costs draw international business, they also contribute to a high rate of working poverty, pushing many Serbs to seek better wages abroad.
Serbia is fueling its economic transformation by strategically attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) through a combination of tax incentives, free trade agreements, and a business-friendly environment. This investment is being channeled into key sectors like green energy, infrastructure, and the IT industry, aiming to boost productivity and accelerate economic growth.
The discussion will focus on Serbia's significant energy challenges and the strategy to overcome them by balancing the critical demands of energy supply security, environmental sustainability, and systemic resilience.
"Shaping Serbia" outlines the nation's push to modernize and expand its urban centers, primarily through large-scale property and infrastructure projects.
The panel describes the country's strategic push to develop its technology sector and global standing. The nation is investing heavily in startups and infrastructure, particularly in artificial intelligence, to transform its economy and compete on the world stage.
