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The EU’s and China’s grants and loans in the Western Balkans

Author

Listed:
  • Branimir Jovanović

    (The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, wiiw)

  • Sonja Stojadinović

Abstract

This note examines the grants and loans provided by the European Union (EU) and China to the Western Balkan economies. The EU remains dominant in grant funding, with annual Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) grants averaging 0.8% of the region’s GDP, far above the 0.02% of GDP from Chinese grants. In terms of loans, however, China has nearly caught up with the EU. On an annual basis, the EU has committed loans equal to approximately 1.5% of the region’s GDP, while China has provided loans in the amount of 1.2%. Notably, in Serbia, China’s loan portfolio now exceeds the size of the EU’s. EU loans are cheaper and more transparent but come with stricter conditions for implementation and requirements for institutional reforms. In contrast, Chinese loans are more flexible and quicker to implement, making them appealing to Western Balkan politicians. However, this flexibility comes at a cost, as Chinese loans are significantly more susceptible to corruption, often deliver questionable quality, and have been linked to various drawbacks, such as workers’ rights violations and environmental degradation.

Suggested Citation

  • Branimir Jovanović & Sonja Stojadinović, 2025. "The EU’s and China’s grants and loans in the Western Balkans," wiiw Policy Notes 92, The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, wiiw.
  • Handle: RePEc:wii:pnotes:pn:92
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    EU; China; Western Balkans; grants; loans; investment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F21 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Investment; Long-Term Capital Movements
    • F35 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Foreign Aid
    • H81 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues - - - Governmental Loans; Loan Guarantees; Credits; Grants; Bailouts

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