Conclusions and Prospects for the Next Quarter Century

Abstract

This concluding chapter reflects briefly upon the overarching themes surrounding the economic geography of foreign direct investment (FDI) in former Yugoslavia. In doing so, it examines common issues across the region of study and sets forth some plausible scenarios for FDI over the upcoming decades. Most of the countries in this volume lost at least one decade vis-a-vis other Central and Eastern European (CEE) states due to military conflict followed by various degrees of political and economic isolation. In the wake of the global financial crisis (GFC), they continue to struggle to converge socioeconomically with the core of Europe. Policymakers throughout the region view FDI as a means to help provide necessary capital to overcome this gap. FDI to the former Yugoslavia continues to be affected differentially by recent events, as well as country-specific prospects for EU integration and a shift toward new origins of FDI such as China and Turkey. These developments will continue to shape the landscape, composition, and impact of FDI in the region over the next quarter century.