Economy
Serbia’s registered employment falls as industrial model faces multiple headwinds
Serbia’s number of registered employees declined in the first quarter of 2026, even as wages continued to rise—an unusual mix that signals mounting structural pressures on…
National Bank of Serbia stress-tests inflation shock as Iran conflict threatens energy costs
Serbia’s central bank has built new inflation scenarios that range from a relatively contained outcome to a severe case tied to prolonged conflict involving Iran and…
Scrutiny of Chinese contractors in Serbia highlights governance and compliance risks for infrastructure finance
A new public dispute tied to the Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse has intensified questions about how Chinese contractors operate within Serbia’s infrastructure projects, including…
Serbia pushes ahead with strategic fuel storage expansion at Smederevo
Serbia is expanding the strategic petroleum storage capacity at its Smederevo oil derivatives terminal, adding six new tanks with total planned capacity nearing 100,000 tons. The…
Montenegro’s construction permits surge signals a faster investment cycle, but execution risks remain
Montenegro issued permits worth more than €240 million in the first quarter of 2026—nearly six times the level a year earlier—pointing to renewed momentum across tourism,…
Serbia’s industrial slowdown intensifies as wage and pension growth outstrip productivity
Serbia’s industrial output weakened in early 2026 while wages and pensions continued to rise faster than productivity, widening the gap between labor costs and output. The…
Serbia’s capital outflow warning grows as profit repatriation outpaces new foreign investment
Economists say Serbia has entered a more vulnerable structural phase after profit and dividend outflows from foreign-owned firms exceeded new foreign direct investment inflows. The shift…
Serbian banks move into a more selective corporate lending phase as costs and uncertainty rise
Serbian banks modestly tightened corporate lending standards in the first quarter of 2026, with the shift focused on long-term dinar and foreign-currency loans. Demand for corporate…
NBS flags Middle East energy shock risk for Serbia’s inflation path and growth outlook
In its May 2026 Inflation Report, Serbia’s central bank warns that a Middle East-driven energy shock could push inflation above the target range temporarily, even as…
UK–Serbia trade tops £1.2 billion as services and ICT deepen ties
Bilateral trade between the UK and Serbia reached about ÂŁ1.2 billion in 2025, up 7.5% year-on-year, with the UK running a surplus of roughly ÂŁ51 million.…