FOREIGN INVESTORS COUNCIL 2021/2022
INTERVIEW
ALESSANDRO BRAGONZI, HEAD OF EIB REGIONAL REPRESENTATION FOR THE WESTERN BALKANS
Paving The Way To A Better And
GREENER FUTURE
The EIB will work closely with the European Commission on the rollout of the Economic and Investment Plan, the green and digital agendas for the Western Balkans. It has earmarked close to €30 billion to support sustainable mobility, the green and digital transition, as well as the creation of a common market.
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ver the last few years, the modernisation and rehabilitation of key transport infrastructure in the Western Balkans has been a major driver of economic development. There has also been significant progress on integrating the region into the Europpean common market. The recent abolishing of roaming charges in the Western Balkans, green corridors for trade and passport-free travel will increase quality of life and make it easier to do business. Since 2009, the EIB has provided close to €10 billion to the Western Balkans, investing in all key economic sectors and supporting vital infrastructure projects and the development of the private sector. As one of the largest foreign investors in the region, it has helped modernise transport, healthcare and education facilities, and environmental protection sectors, thus contributing to economic growth in the region before the pandemic, while at the same time paving the way for the transition towards a carbon-neutral economy and sustainable transport. “Today, air and water pollution have become one of the most serious issues affecting the livelihood of people across the region, coupled with the consequences of climate change, which is causing more frequent and costly natural disasters. This is why environmental protection and climate action require our most urgent attention,” says Alessandro Bragonzi, Head of EIB Regional Representation for the Western Balkans. Where are we when it comes to making this region more attractive for business and improving quality of life? A favourable economic climate for doing business depends largely on the further upgrading and stabilising of the legislative framework, the judicial and anti-corruption system, and the extent and quality of transport, energy and digital infrastructure, as well as on the conditions that stimulate entrepreneurship, innovation, employment creation and inclusive job opportunities. The EIB’s role, as a financier, is to help in the achieving of these goals by providing more accessible financing and technical support to local economies. According to the World Bank’s Doing Business report for 2020, Serbia ranks 44th, with an overall score of 75.7 out of 100. The country has managed to increase its score compared to previous years, mostly in the
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