Business Integration in the Western Balkans and Perspectives on Membership of the European Union

This report examines how businesses across the Western Balkans perceive economic integration in the context of possible accession to the European Union. Drawing on the latest RCC Business Opinion Survey and other relevant sources, it reveals a region characterized by both ambition and constraint. While formal trade agreements are in place, non-tariff barriers, inadequate infrastructure and political tensions continue to impede deeper regional cooperation. Many firms report that trading with the EU is easier than with neighbouring Western Balkan economies. Business sentiment varies considerably, with optimism strongest in Albania and Kosovo, and scepticism most pronounced in Serbia. Exporting firms, particularly those trading with the EU, are notably more supportive of EU membership, underscoring a divide in perception within the business community. The report offers a nuanced perspective on the region’s economic landscape and the complex interplay between trade, politics and European integration.