Businessman Zoran Drakulić stated that Serbia ranks among the poorest countries in Europe due to its economic development being overly reliant on foreign companies rather than domestic resources and businesses.
In an interview with the Beta agency, Drakulić criticized the government for allowing foreign entities to extract profits from Serbia while receiving significant subsidies. He pointed to companies like NIS and RTB Bor, along with various infrastructure projects, as prime examples of this issue.
He noted that Serbia is now grouped with other impoverished countries like Moldova, North Macedonia, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighting that since 2000, the country’s GDP growth rate has failed to surpass five percent.
“This is a consequence of flawed economic policies,” said Drakulić, who leads the holding company Point Group. He emphasized that Serbia’s economic growth has relied heavily on borrowing and inflated infrastructure costs, as well as dramatic increases in food and energy prices.
Discussing living standards, Drakulić remarked that they remain low, with a persistent decline in purchasing power. He pointed out that educators, healthcare workers, and service personnel are among the lowest paid, while a privileged class tied to the government continues to expand, fueled by corruption and illegal activities.
When asked about recent claims from President Aleksandar Vučić that the economy is thriving, Drakulić expressed skepticism, attributing perceived growth to high borrowing and rising prices rather than sustainable economic practices.
He described Serbia as being on the brink of becoming a “mining colony,” especially in light of controversial projects like “Jadar,” which he believes should not proceed due to environmental concerns and the potential for economic disaster.
Drakulić criticized the “Belgrade Waterfront” project as an aesthetic failure that has provided minimal financial benefit to the state. He raised concerns over the long-term economic viability of such investments and the lack of tangible gains from the upcoming “EXPO 2027.”
He concluded by stressing the need for Serbia to prioritize a national economic policy focused on domestic interests and sustainable development, particularly in agriculture and energy independence. He believes that with proper strategies, Serbia could quickly align with middle-income European nations.
