Landmark EBRD Transition Report to be unveiled at Kopaonik Business Forum

EBRD report on perceptions of reforms and inequality will be presented at main business event in Serbia

LONDON, 07-Mar-2017 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), one of the largest institutional investors in Serbia and the Western Balkans, is participating in several panels and events at this year’s Kopaonik Business Forum, a key event in Serbia’s business calendar.

A presentation of the landmark Transition Report 2016-17, the first EBRD publication to analyse reforms, inequality and inclusive growth, will be given by economists Alexander Plekhanov and Peter Tabak, with participation from the Minister of Finance of Serbia, Dusan Vujovic, and EBRD Director for Serbia, Dan Berg.

The Transition Report, based on data from the wide-ranging Life in Transition Survey of 51,000 households, tracks life satisfaction, which is growing in the Western Balkans and is above the regional average in Serbia. The publication also considers the speed with which living standards in the EBRD regions are catching up with those in western Europe, the effect of “shock reforms” at the start of transition on people’s perceptions of democracy, and examines possible causes of rising populism.

In other sessions of the Kopaonik forum, Holger Muent, EBRD Director for the Western Balkans, will speak about smart growth and inclusion.

Daniel Berg will explore creative solutions in infrastructure, including private sector involvement. He will use case studies to demonstrate how good policy, reforms and investments can improve infrastructure for everyday citizens.

In addition, Miljan Zdrale, EBRD Head of Agribusiness for central and south-eastern Europe, will analyse the potential of agriculture and food industries in the region. He will discuss EBRD investments in the agribusiness sector of Serbia and the wider region, as well as related, extensive policy dialogue in Serbia, a country that has clear potential to be competitive in the sector.

The EBRD is one of the largest institutional investors in Serbia. The country has received about €4.5 billion in Bank financing to date, focused on infrastructure, but also on financial institutions, energy, industry and agribusiness, as well as other sectors, with over a half of total investment supporting private sector development.

The EBRD is also working on policy reform with the Serbian authorities. Among the current areas of cooperation are the legal and regulatory frameworks for renewable energy.

SOURCE: EBRD

MEDIA CONTACT

Axel Reiserer, London, Head of Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7338 6741; Email