Infrastructure and Investment Policies in the Western Balkans

Infrastructure and Investment Policies in the Western Balkans

Background & Context

The UK has a long-standing interest in stability, security and sustainable economic growth across the Western Balkans, with engagement spanning public investment management, fiscal sustainability and the conditions for FDI, alongside regional integration and EU accession. This intervention builds on prior PFRC engagement and on insights from the Ditchley Conference, and complements ongoing regional momentum including the EU Growth Plan, the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), and the work of the EBRD, EIB and other IFIs. 

Key Counterparts

FCDO Western Balkans Department and British Embassies in Belgrade, Sarajevo and Pristina; finance, infrastructure and energy ministries in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo; IFIs and EU partners (EBRD, EIB, World Bank, IMF, IFC, EU Delegations, WBIF); and regional and private sector bodies including the RCC, CEFTA Secretariat and investor representative associations. 

Objective

To support WB6 partner governments, with priority focus on Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo, in strengthening public investment management, state-owned enterprise (SOE) governance, and the investment policy environment, and to identify where UK and partner engagement can most usefully complement locally led reform. 

Approach & Scope of Support

The intervention is delivered through three analytical workstreams plus consolidated UK engagement recommendations:

Each combines desk-based review and data analysis with in-country consultations, political economy analysis, benchmarking, and prioritised recommendations, with debrief sessions held with UK embassies after each mission. 

Emerging Impact

The intervention is ongoing, and reporting on intervention impact will be updated as the intervention progresses.