Holzner, Mario <br/><br/>
Policy Options for Competitiveness and Economic Development in the Western Balkans: the Case for Infrastructure Investment 

 - Wien :  Wiener Institut für Internationale Wirtschaftsvergleiche (wiiw),  2016. 
 - 14 S.,   9 Figures,  30cm. 
 - wiiw Policy Notes and Reports  16 .
 -  wiiw Policy Notes and Reports  16 .
<br/><br/> Summary<br/><br/><br/>	The Western Balkans are a region with a substantial economic catch-up potential. Compared to other European economies these countries are either poor or very poor.<br/>	Structural underdevelopment and low competitiveness impede the catch-up process. Mass unemployment and a huge trade deficit indicate heavy internal and external imbalances.<br/>	Short-run policy measures should focus on fiscal devaluation and NPL resolution to foster cost competitiveness and private investment.<br/>	A ‘Big Push’ in infrastructure investment is imperative for long-term prosperity. An investment volume of EUR 7.7 billion as envisaged in the ‘Berlin Process’ has the potential for an additional GNP growth impulse of about 1% p.a. and a positive employment effect of up to 200,000 people in the region.<br/><br/> 
<br/><br/><label>Subjects--Topical Terms: </label><br/>macroeconomic policy<br/>investment<br/>infrastructure<br/>fiscal devaluation<br/>competitiveness<br/>Western Balkans<br/>Berlin Process
<br/><br/><label>Subjects--Geographic Terms: </label><br/>Albania<br/>Bosnia and Herzegovina<br/>Kosovo<br/>North Macedonia<br/>Montenegro<br/>Serbia<br/>Western Balkans