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Investing in Serbia

As young entrepreneurs drive Belgrade’s vibrant start-up scene, President Aleksandar Vucic courts China and gains EU attention, plus, calls for structural and political reform, and regional integration closer to home

Belgrade’s fast-growing tech start-ups show Serbia’s ‘hunger for success’
Past decade of rapid growth propelled by ‘digital nomads’ and returnees from abroad
Serbia’s President Vucic bets economy will avoid Covid-19 recession
‘Strongman’ leader praises China aid, while encouraging domestic scepticism on the EU
Pandemic and EU neglect tighten Serbia bonds with China
Belgrade is key to Chinese regional plans and Brussels’ Covid-19 policy has helped
Serbia’s path to EU strewn with missteps and some members’ doubts
Slow structural and political reform combines with waning EU influence in lockdown
Serbia plans wind auctions in slow pivot from coal
Region’s politicians maintain commitment to high-polluting lignite as its usefulness shrinks
Investors want Serbia reforms that break through ‘wall of resistance’
Legacies of the past remain and are holding the country back, says EBRD regional chief

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