Belgrade has been declared the city with the best economic and investment potential in Europe, according to the renowned British house Emerging Europe, which deals with the economic analysis of the cities of Central, Eastern, Southeastern Europe and the South Caucasus, said Mayor Zoran Radojicic.
As he explained, more than a hundred experts, consulting companies and investors participated in the evaluation of cities and their investment environment, and Belgrade was in first place in the competition of cities from the mentioned regions.
– Taking into account the size of the Belgrade market and our geostrategic positioning, we are recognized as the economic and financial center of Europe with the greatest potential for further attraction of foreign investments – said the mayor.
The categories in which cities were evaluated are business climate, infrastructure and mobility, a large number of experts and talents.
– Belgrade attracts both domestic and foreign partners in the realization of many projects. The construction of a bypass around Belgrade, the construction of the Belgrade-Novi Sad high-speed railway and finally the beginning of the construction of the first metro line are projects that attract various industries, bring investments and employ a large number of people – he said, adding that the airport and two navigable rivers, highway and railway, which passes through Belgrade, great potential for the development of industrial zones of the city.
The mayor also reminded that the City of Belgrade was on the World Bank’s Doing Business list, thanks to the change in the Law on Construction and the establishment of an electronic system for issuing building permits, which was put into operation in 2016, from 186th place to 9th place in the world.
– By shortening the administrative procedures for construction up to three times, we have additionally encouraged and accelerated investments – Radojicic pointed out.
The construction sector has seen a steady increase in foreign direct investment since 2014. In 2019 alone, foreign direct investment in the construction sector accounted for 22% of total FDI. The reform of tax procedures, the introduction of electronic and non-cash payments, and the reform of the registration of property rights have systematically worked on improving the conditions for doing business in Belgrade and Serbia.
Radojicic also reminded that Belgrade is developing as a green and smart city, comfortable and adapted to all the challenges of the modern age, and added that the adoption of an action plan for a green city will soon follow, and numerous environmental projects will be launched, eKapija reports.
