18th European Summit in Salzburg: Visions for Europe – Expectations and Reality

The topic of the panel “Investing in the regions of the Western Balkans” was the investment climate in this region. Representatives from the world of business and politics from the Western Balkan region presented their thoughts, experiences and opportunities that this European region offers to potential investors.

Jelena Tadić, executive director of PPP Investment Belgrade, highlighted the opportunities for investors, using the public-private partnership (PPP) model, and explained the investment climate in Serbia.

She noted that today, more than ever before, we need private initiatives and the use of private capital, especially through the PPP model, to overcome challenges in the public sector and reach the goals of sustainable development defined by the United Nations in 2015.

Mrs. Tadić spoke about PPP projects in Serbia and said that many small projects that are being implemented have solved numerous communal problems throughout Serbia and under “small projects” she referred to their financial value, but their economic value for the local population is incomparably greater. “These are projects such as those in the field of public lighting, heat energy production from renewable energy sources and natural gas, public passenger transportation, municipal waste management projects, street and road maintenance, and many others,” she pointed out.

Jelena added that PPP projects are particularly attractive for investment because, in addition to satisfying the public interest, they are also attractive due to the security of the collection of claims-fee for the private partner, which is regulated by the special Law on Commercial Transactions, and so far no delays have been recorded to the issue of fee collection.

Ms. Tadić concluded that a good legal framework, support from financial institutions (EBRD, EIB, IFC and commercial banks) and a positive investment climate are the key elements that make investments in Serbia very attractive.