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Invest In Serbia! Find a supplier, joint venture partner, skilled labor Serbia - market entry to EU
Excellent Location - South East Europe, central Balkans; Time zone GMT+1.
- Geo-strategic position at the crossroads of Pan-European Corridors 7 and 10, a major link between Europe and Asia.
- 8 neighboring countries: Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, FYR Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, and Montenegro.
- 88,361 km² of territory – rich fertile plains in the north, ancient mountains and hills to the south.
- Moderate continental climate, average temperature -1°C in January and 22°C in June, well distributed rainfall.
Market Potentials - 7.5 mn consumers in Serbia, 2nd largest market in the region.
- 30 mn consumers in South East Europe with duty-free access.
- 150 mn consumers in the Russian Federation with customs-free access.
- Preferential trade status with USA and the EU.
- Overall duty-free exporting potential: 1 bn consumers.
Growing Economy - Serbia – number 1 business reformer in the world (World Bank 2006 report).
- Currency – Serbian Dinar (RSD); 1 EUR = 80. 12 RSD during 2007.
- 7.5 % GDP growth rate, GDP per capita $5,764 in 2007.
- Reduced inflation – 10 % in 2007.
- €1.7 bn National Investment Plan funds from state budget surplus.
- $14 bn foreign currency reserves, and growing.
- Exports $9 bn in 2007 (37 % growth) most to Italy, CEFTA, Germany, Russia.
Taxes & Incentives - State grants from €2,000 to €10,000 per new job created for greenfield/brownfield projects.
- 10 % corporate profit tax rate – among the lowest in Europe.
- 8 to 18 % VAT rate – among the lowest in CEE.
- 10-year corporate profit tax holiday for large investments.
- Tax credits up to 80 % of the amount invested in fixed assets.
- 5-year corporate profit tax holiday for concessions.
- Duty-free import of raw materials, semi-products, components, and equipment.
Investment Magnet - $13.5 bn total inward FDI inflow since 2001, 90 % average annual FDI growth rate.
- Serbia – The place of largest greenfield investments in SEE 2004-2006 (OECD).
- Belgrade – The City of the Future and top FDI location in South Europe 2006/07 (Financial Times).
- Major investors: Telenor, Philip Morris, Mobilkom, Banca Intesa, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Stada, InBev, Lukoil, U.S. Steel and many others.
Human Resources - Labor force (age 15-64) exceeds 5 mn, 52 % with secondary or higher education.
- Vast labor pool – unemployment rate 21.6 % (2006).
- Competitive labor costs – €484 per month, gross (2007).
- 11. 7 % average growth of industrial productivity in the past 5 years.
- 700,000 university or college graduates, 1/3 from technical faculties.
- 42 % of the population speaks English (Gallup International).
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