During 2003, socioeconomic trends in the Republic of Serbia and
Montenegro were characterized by the active role of the Government to
implement the necessary reforms to speed up the transition process.
According to the report of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Serbia and Montenegro registered greater progress in implementing reforms than the other 27 Eastern European countries. In its transition report, the EBRD gave Serbia and Montenegro a 3+ (scale 1-4) for its foreign trade policy, the process of privatization of small businesses and price liberalization.
The current state of the world economy, especially the EU, is that a stronger growth rate in the world economy cannot be expected until the end of 2004.
According to the Republic Development Office, economic trends in Serbia in the first four months of 2003 are characterized by a slowdown in economic activity, however, along with price stabilization, real wage growth and foreign trade growth. Exports of goods in the period January-April 2003 increased by 28.6% in relation to the same period in 2002. The coverage of imports with exports in April 2003 is 41.9%.
Prices in May 2003 increased by 0.5% in relation to April and
living costs by 0.4%.
The total number of employed persons at the end of March 2003
it amounted to 1,782,841 (source: Republican Labor Market Office). Using the same source, we can note that in Serbia there were 947,426 unemployed people. The mentioned number increased by 17.7% in 2003 in relation to 2002.
In 2003, 336 companies were privatized in tenders and auctions, raising 159.5 million euros (source: Republic Development Office). According to the same source, the restructuring process began in 73 large economic systems. In addition, the Serbian government adopted the strategy for the development of entrepreneurship in Serbia from 2003-2008.
The analysis of economic development in Serbia shows that the most developed city in Serbia is Apatin with a development level of 85% above the Serbian average, and on the other hand, the least developed city is Tutin with a development of 76% above the Serbian average. below the Serbian average. .
Finally, we can conclude that Serbia and Montenegro will try to integrate into the world economy as soon as possible. Despite our best wishes, it seems that our expectations are too unrealistic to achieve this quickly. That is, after a long period of stagnation, wars, low rate of economic growth, high rate of inflation
(in 1993. it was the highest rate in the world), high rate of
unemployment and low national income per capita, the road to integration will be a long and difficult process. Knowing this, our government will try to shorten this process with structural changes in the national economy and taking great steps in the transition towards the structure and performance of advanced economies. .As fast as our standard of living increases, it is possible to progress.
Prof. Dr. Mirjana Radovic