Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2020.1774791

Does it make sense to deepen the economic cooperation of the western balkan economies?

Goran Nikolić orcid.org/0000-0001-9312-2194

Abstract

The article discusses the structural changes in bilateral trade flows
between Western Balkan (WB) countries in 2007-2018. The basic
idea was to address whether there is a justification for the often
proposed deepening of economic cooperation among WB states.
After analysing the dynamics of mutual trade, we computed
the value of intra-industry trade, whose potential decrease could
indicate a divergence between observed trade structures. To
detect a possible structural change in WB trade sectors, qualitative
changes in those countries’ exports were calculated through
the tendencies of a share of products at higher levels of processing.
After calculating the export concentration coefficients, all the
results were compared with those achieved by these countries in
trade with the EU and in total. The article argues that there is no
solid reason to pursue policies for strengthening mutual economic
ties particularly towards a customs union, especially given
the more attractive prospect of EU integration.

Keywords

The Western Balkans; exports; structural changes; products; mutual trade flows

Hrčak ID:

254716

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/254716

Publication date:

9.2.2021.

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