FDI by Economic Activities and Investment Incentives in Bulgaria and Serbia

Biljana Stankov; Jasmina Markov; Ivana Milošević

Biljana Stankov Higher School of Professional Business Studies in Novi Sad
Jasmina Markov Faculty of Economics in Subotica
Ivana Milošević Faculty of Economics and Engineering Management in Novi Sad

Abstract

Since 2007, when Bulgaria became a full member of the EU and 2012, when Serbia was granted the status of candidate for EU membership, these countries have become very attractive investment destinations. The object of this research is the movements of FDI in the mentioned countries in 2013 and their structure by economic activities. The scientific problem is related to the positive effects of FDI on the host country, making an attractive investment environment, creating incentives for foreign investors and comparing the structure of FDI in Bulgaria and Serbia with simultaneous comparison with the European average. It may be noted that this is a current theoretical and empirical research that deals with modern state of the subject. The necessary quantitative data have been collected using the desk method and using the secondary data source and the method of description as well as the comparative method were used in the ensuing analysis. The aim of the study is to, by applying the above methods, determine the most attractive investment areas, analyze the current investment incentives and provide recommendations on adjustments to be made to improve the actual investment strategies and create attractive investment locations in Bulgaria and Serbia.

Author Biographies

Biljana Stankov, Higher School of Professional Business Studies in Novi Sad

Biljana Stankov is an MSc holder in Economics employed as teaching assistant at Higher School of Professional Business Studies in Novi Sad. During many years of working in higher education, first as an associate and then a teaching assistant, she dealt with various subjects in the field of economics. She completed undergraduate academic studies and masters studies in the field of marketing management and European economy. Currently she is a final year student of doctoral studies at the Faculty of Economics and Engineering Management in Novi Sad, University Business Academy at the Business Economics study program. She participated in many international scientific conferences and has published several papers in scientific journals. The key fields of her interest and future development are foreign direct investments, competitiveness, international and European economy.

Jasmina Markov, Faculty of Economics in Subotica

Jasmina Markov completed undergraduate studies at the Faculty of Economics in Subotica, Department of Novi Sad, where she completed her masters studies as well. Her fields of interest during these studies were marketing and trade. In the year of 2010 she started her doctoral studies at the same Faculty, in the Management and Business study program, Marketing module. From 2008 to 2013 she worked at the Higher School of Professional Business Studies in Novi Sad, as an assistant - master in the specialized field of Business Economics and Management. In addition, she spent a year volunteering in the Government of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina in the Province Secretariat for Education and Culture. She has also published several papers in scientific journals and has participated in numerous international conferences.

Ivana Milošević, Faculty of Economics and Engineering Management in Novi Sad

Ivana Milošević graduated in 2009, at the Faculty of Economics in Novi Sad, GPA 8.80, and completed her masters studies in 2013, GPA 9.67, at the Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad. She commenced her PhD studies in 2013, at the Faculty of Economics and Engineering Management in Novi Sad - University Business Academy in
Novi Sad (program of study: Business Economics). She is engaged at the same Faculty as an assistant in the following subjects: Macroeconomics, National Economy and Public Finance and has also participated in the process of accreditation and selfevaluation of the Faculty. She is engaged in the program of continuous professional development of teachers, educators, experts and directors for 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 school years under the auspices of ZUOV (Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development).