Advancing Serbia's Competitiveness in the Process of EU Accession

The EU accession process encompasses the creation of an effective legislative framework, aligned with acquis communautaire, market liberalization and a business climate enabling companies to create competitive advantages in the demanding European and global markets. Since Serbia strives toward EU membership, it should already work on achieving the Europe 2020 strategy objectives. Researchers, including members of this project team, came to the conclusion that Serbia's low competitiveness stems from, above all, ineffective antitrust policy, legal uncertainty (problems with contract enforcement, execution of court verdicts, etc.), inefficient building permitting process, a complicated tax system, unresolved property rights system and lack of coordination within the public administration. Actions to advance Serbia’s competitiveness are required to strengthen exports, provide greater FDI inflow, ensuring sustainable development and successful accession of Serbia to the EU. Therefore, the objective of this project is to further analyze obstacles, but also to develop measures to improve competitiveness. Particular emphasis will be placed on companies and the most competitive industries, facilitating innovation and entrepreneurship and strengthening human capital, which is at the core of Europe 2020 strategy. The project team will cooperate with the National Competitiveness Council and other relevant institutions, which are also project beneficiaries.