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Balkans: WEF, region lags behind for competitiveness

Slovenia best ranked globally, Bosnia last

18 October, 17:11
(ANSA) - BELGRADE, OCTOBER 18 - In Europe, the Balkan countries lag behind in terms of economic competitiveness compared to the rest of continent, the 2018 edition of the Global Competitiveness Report of the World Economic Forum (WEF) noted.

The WEF report said that "Europe is a story of contrasts, with four distinct groups: a very competitive north-west, including Switzerland; a relatively competitive south-west, led by France; a rising northeast region, led by Poland, Czech Republic and the Baltic countries, which rank on par with or higher than several Western European economies on several aspects of competitiveness; and the south-eastern region-in particular, the Balkan countries-which lags behind the other groups." In the area of former Yugoslavia, the best ranked is Slovenia, which holds the 35th position in the global competitiveness index, same as in 2017. Serbia, now in the 66th position (71th in 2017) overtook Croatia (from 66 in 2017 to 68 in 2018), while Montenegro is ranked 71th (+2 positions), Macedonia 84th (stable) and Bosnia and Herzegovina 91th, last in the region. Sarajevo slipped down one position in one year.

Bulgaria and Romania ranked 51 and 52th respectively.

The greatest disparities in Europe, the report said, "lie in national innovation ecosystems, with countries in Eastern Europe and the Balkans lacking basic innovation infrastructure." (ANSA).

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