The study is organized in the three sections following the introduction, by which Section I reviews the economic performance of the five Balkan countries - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, and Serbia and Montenegro - with a focus on international trade. A discussion follows...

This report summarizes the findings of a review of public investment management (PIM) practices in the Western Balkans carried out with an eye to improving practices over the medium term, sharing experiences on a regional basis, providing some initial specific recommendations and identifying...

Across the Western Balkan region, countries exhibit relatively high levels of energy intensity, a high energy savings potential among energy end-users, and heavy dependence on imported hydrocarbons. Energy markets would benefit from enhanced demand-side efforts and integrated energy efficiency...

The countries of Southeastern Europe (SEE) and the province of Kosovo (thereafter, Kosovo) have undergone a significant, though difficult, transition over the past decade. Series of conflicts in the region have complicated the transition process, which in the initial phase focused on...

Just as the economies of the Western Balkans were looking to growth recovery beyond the pandemic, a new set of challenges confronted the region. The economies of the Western Balkans saw a strong growth rebound in 2021 with a broad-based bounce back in economic activity. Financial stability...

An effective and equitable social protection system can help Kosovo to promote human capital, foster productivity, and reduce poverty. Since its independence in 2008, the country has made considerable socioeconomic progress, benefiting from the support of the international community and its own...

This overview of the research sector in the Western Balkans is a companion piece to the Western Balkans regional research and development (R and D) strategy for innovation. The strategy aims to strengthen the region's research capacity, enhance intraregional cooperation, promote collaboration...

This note discusses the external environment, economic outlook, and key policy challenges for the six South East European Countries (SEE6)-Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH), Kosovo, the former Yugoslav Republic (FYR) of Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia-as they seek to reignite economic...

The South East Europe (SEE6) region exited from recession in the first half of 2013, supported by a nascent recovery in the Euro area. Industry-especially manufacturing exports and energy drove the recovery. The region experienced a welcome surge in exports in 2013, particularly car exports from...