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Doing business & staying in touch

Things can go slowly on account of the cumbersome bureaucracy but most Serbian entrepreneurs are very keen to forge business links with Western Europe. Communication is not a major problem as English is popular as a second language.

In 2008, the Government of Kosovo declared independence from Serbia. Serbia has rejected Kosovo's declaration of independence as illegal, but the UK Government, and most EU members, have granted recognition. Many Serbs feel strongly about Kosovo, and you should be wary about entering into political discussions with people you do not know well.

Office hours: 

Mon-Fri 0700/0800-1500/1600.

Economy: 

Serbia was the largest constituent republic of the former Yugoslavia. Between 1990 and the overthrow of Slobodan Milosevic in 2000, civil war followed by economic sanctions reduced its economy to less than half its previous output. Much of its infrastructure and industrial capacity was destroyed.

Since 2000, the economic outlook has been brighter and the lifting of sanctions has restored access to international markets and capital. GDP growth for 2007 was estimated at 7.5%. Serbia continues to suffer from high unemployment (13% in 2009). The country is preparing to join the European Union once the Kosovo issue has been resolved.

GDP: 

US$42.3 billion (2009).

Main exports: 

Manufactured goods, pharmaceuticals, food, live animals, machinery and transport equipment.

Main imports: 

Machinery and transport equipment, fuels and lubricants, manufactured goods, cars, chemicals.

Main trading partners: 

Italy, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Germany and the Russian Federation.

Staying in touch in Serbia

Mobile phone: 

Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good in the north and in Belgrade, but patchy in the south.

Internet: 

Internet cafés can be found in the main urban centres.

Post: 

Postal services are reasonably good.

Media: 

The Serbian media is reasonably free and offers differing perspectives that vary from sensationalist to serious along with a spectrum of political stances that range from liberal to nationalist. The main daily newspapers are Vecernje Novosti, Glas Javnosti and Kurir.

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