Economy
Montenegro’s trade gap is shaped by import dependence, not just export swings
Montenegro’s goods imports fell year-on-year at the start of 2026, but the country still buys heavily across machinery, food, chemicals and industrial inputs. With exports constrained…
Serbia retail sales stabilise in February, with real turnover up 4.6% year-on-year
Serbia’s retail trade turnover rose 4.6% in real terms in February 2026, following a weak January. The rebound points to steadier household demand, though month-to-month results…
Europe tightens ESG disclosure rules as Serbia edges toward ESRS alignment
Europe’s CSRD is expanding ESG reporting to about 50,000 entities and moving disclosures toward standardized, audit-ready data. Serbia remains outside the EU framework, but market demand…
Air Serbia’s revenue momentum holds as profits stay near €45m
Air Serbia reported total revenues of €719.5 million in 2025 alongside pre-tax profit of €45 million, showing profitability stabilising even as operating costs rise across the…
Serbia’s early-2026 trade picture: mild contraction, but a sharper external balance
Serbia’s total foreign trade contracted slightly in the first two months of 2026, yet exports held up while imports fell faster—cutting the trade deficit by nearly…
Montenegro’s tourism model stays tethered to Russian arrivals—supporting growth while raising concentration risk
Russian visitors remain the largest source of foreign overnight stays in Montenegro, accounting for 34.5% in January 2026. The same demand base also links tourism to…
Serbian capital becomes a stabilising force in Montenegro’s investment mix
In January 2026, Serbia supplied the largest share of foreign direct investment into Montenegro, with €9.5 million—highlighting how regional capital is increasingly shaping the country’s business…
Montenegro’s investment rebound is real, but investors are watching for a shift in asset quality
Gross fixed capital formation in Montenegro rose by 11.0% in 2025, signaling renewed momentum. But the latest breakdown of spending and foreign direct investment suggests much…
Montenegro’s growth is splitting in two: credit and jobs rise, exports lag
Montenegro’s 2026 start shows a familiar pattern—credit expansion, improving employment and resilient tourism are supporting domestic momentum, while exports continue to contract sharply. The result is…
Montenegro’s job gains in 2026 mask a deeper productivity test
Montenegro’s labour market strengthened at the start of 2026, with employment rising to 271,600 and unemployment falling to 8.99%. But the data also points to a…