In the latest report by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) concerning countries in transition, it is stated that apart from Serbia-Montenegro, countries in southeast Europe have slowed down the pace of reform processes in 2005, and that thanks to political stability, the economic growth in the region will reach 4.8 percent.
Authors of the report relied on the data given in the EBRD and World Bank’s last report on the business climate and company performance, which included 9,500 companies, and pointed out that when it comes to EBRD member countries, there have never been fewer obstacles to doing business than now.
The business climate has also improved in southeast Europe, where reform processes are still somewhat off-speed, partly due to various standstills in EU candidate countries.
The exception is Serbia-Montenegro, which has begun the implementation of important reforms, and among other things, has started a thorough privatisation process, as well as trade liberalisation and institutional development, reads the EBRD statement.