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

Bibliographic Data

ID15067540
AuthorsGordana Nikolic (0000-0001-9312-2194, corresponding author), Goran Nikolić (Institute of European Studies, Belgrade, Serbia)
Year2020
Volume33
Issue1
Pages3453-3475
Publication date2020-01-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEconomic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1331-677X • E-ISSN: 1848-9664
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/1331677x.2020.1774791
OpenAlexW3081149975
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited21

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

China · Economic integration · Economic interdependence · Economic system · Economics · European union · International economics · International free trade agreement · International trade · Political science · Trade barrier · Global Trade and Competitiveness · Global trade and economics · International Business and FDI

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