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Making sense of competitiveness indicators in south-eastern Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Peter Sanfey

    (EBRD)

  • Simone Zeh

    (EBRD)

Abstract

This paper sifts through a variety of competitiveness and business environment indicators to assess the state of reforms in south-eastern Europe (SEE). While common themes emerge, such as corruption, weak tax administration and the lack of availability of skills, there is a clear gap between those countries in the region that have joined, or are about to join, the European Union, and the remaining countries. The World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index signals some similarities across the region, but other sources of information, such as the World Bank’s Doing Business reports and the EBRD/World Bank Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey, show up marked cross-country differences. We conclude with a number of targeted recommendations for policy reforms in areas such as cross-border trade and investment, tax administration and the development of new skills and innovation.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Sanfey & Simone Zeh, 2012. "Making sense of competitiveness indicators in south-eastern Europe," Working Papers 145, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Office of the Chief Economist.
    • Handle: RePEc:ebd:wpaper:145
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Eicher, Theo S. & Schreiber, Till, 2010. "Structural policies and growth: Time series evidence from a natural experiment," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 91(1), pages 169-179, January.
    2. Acemoglu, Daron & Johnson, Simon & Robinson, James A., 2005. "Institutions as a Fundamental Cause of Long-Run Growth," Handbook of Economic Growth, in: Philippe Aghion & Steven Durlauf (ed.), Handbook of Economic Growth, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 6, pages 385-472, Elsevier.
    3. Will Bartlett & Ivana Prica, 2011. "The Variable Impact of the Global Economic Crisis in South East Europe," Economic Annals, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Belgrade, vol. 56(191), pages 7-34, October-D.
    4. Falcetti, Elisabetta & Lysenko, Tatiana & Sanfey, Peter, 2006. "Reforms and growth in transition: Re-examining the evidence," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 421-445, September.
    5. Berglöf, Erik & Bruynooghe, Lise & Harmgart, Heike & Sanfey, Peter & Schweiger, Helena & Zettelmeyer, Jeromin, 2010. "European Transition at Twenty," WIDER Working Paper Series 091, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    6. Falcetti, Elisabetta & Raiser, Martin & Sanfey, Peter, 2002. "Defying the Odds: Initial Conditions, Reforms, and Growth in the First Decade of Transition," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 30(2), pages 229-250, June.
    7. Philippe Aghion, 2005. "Growth and Institutions," Empirica, Springer;Austrian Institute for Economic Research;Austrian Economic Association, vol. 32(1), pages 3-18, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jeton Zogjani & Malësor Kelmendi, 2015. "Corruption and Bribery on Transition Economies: Case Study for SEE Countries," Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Richtmann Publishing Ltd, vol. 4, July.
    2. Slavica Penev & Matija Rojec, 2014. "The Future Of Fdi In South Eastern European Countries: Messages From New Eu Member States," Economic Annals, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Belgrade, vol. 59(202), pages 43-68, July – Se.
    3. Slavica Penev & Andreaj Marusic, 2012. "Importance of the EU Integration Process for the Improvement of Legal Environment in Western Balkan Countries," Book Chapters, in: Paulino Teixeira & António Portugal Duarte & Srdjan Redzepagic & Dejan Eric (ed.), European Integration Process in Western Balkan Countries, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 27, pages 529-544, Institute of Economic Sciences.
    4. Arbana Sahiti, 2017. "Creative Accounting- Nature, Usage, Labor and Relation with the Own Crisis Consequences in Practice in Kosovo," European Journal of Economics and Business Studies Articles, Revistia Research and Publishing, vol. 3, ejes_v3_i.
    5. Estrin, Saul & Uvalic, Milica, 2016. "Foreign direct investment in the Western Balkans: what role has it played during transition?," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 67004, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    6. Saul Estrin & Milica Uvalic, 2016. "Foreign Direct Investment in the Western Balkans: What Role Has it Played During Transition?," Comparative Economic Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Association for Comparative Economic Studies, vol. 58(3), pages 455-483, September.

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    JEL classification:

    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • P2 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies

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