Executive summary

Bosnia and Herzegovina:

• BiH to face new sanctions from the EU’s Energy Community because of an issued state guarantee approved in favor of the Exim Bank of China. 
• The numbers for 2020 for BiH are expected to show the deepest recession in 25 years.

Croatia: 

• The Government of Croatia plans an additional financial package of EUR 46 Million  to support local business in coping with the coronavirus pandemic. 

Montenegro:

• The  Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) to finance a 22.5 Million EUR Bar port expansion project. 
• For 2020, the World Bank estimates the Montenegrin economy will experience the biggest recession in the Western Balkans. 
• Rehabilitation of regional roads of key importance for the development of the economy in the Eastern region is underway.

North Macedonia:

• N. Macedonia and the US signed an agreement on the security of the 5G network. 
• The Dutch government’s representatives say there are no obstacles to start negotiations and to schedule the first intergovernmental conference with the EU and Northern Macedonia. 
• The Finance Ministry expects a deficit equivalent to 8.4% of GDP. 

Romania: 

• The number of building permits for residential buildings has increased by 11% in September 2020, compared to the same period last year. 
• Construction companies can access grants for working capital from non-reimbursable European funds. 
• The partnership for the realization of the Arad-Oradea expressway has been signed. 

Serbia:

• Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPSE) has become the majority owner of the company HES Gornja Drina. 
• Roads of Serbia repeated the tender for the construction of a fast road from the Hugarian to the Romanian border through Backa and Banat.
• The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Erste Bank have agreed on a 30 Million EUR credit line to enable a strong recovery of SMEs in Serbia. 
• Study conducted by the Chamber of Italian-Serbian Businessmen and the Italian Embassy in Serbia shows that Italy is in the leading position in terms of the presence of businessmen and the volume of investment. 
• For 2020, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić expects the smallest decline in GDP among European countries. 

Slovenia:

• Slovenian state-owned railway company Slovenske Zeleznice set to become a leading player on the freight and logistic market in Southeast Europe by eyeing a joint venture with Prague-based EP Holding. 
• Slovenia posts the second EU’s sharpest annual increase in construction output in August, following Romania. 
• Ljubljana and Belgrade plan to jointly promote a SEE high-speed railway project.