The World Bank said on Tuesday that it expects the countries of the Western Balkans to see growth of 4.4 percent this year, and 3.7 percent over the next two years.

“Growth in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia – the six countries of the Western Balkans – is expected to return in 2021, in the wake of the region’s worst economic downturn on record during 2020. Following the economic devastation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in an estimated contraction of growth in the region of 3.4 percent last year, the Western Balkans region is expected to grow by 4.4 percent in 2021. Going forward, growth is expected to moderate to 3.7 in 2022 and 2023, with lingering damage from the pandemic continuing to depress investments and employment in the region,” the World Bank’s latest report said.

A press release quoted World Bank Regional Director for the Western Balkans Linda Van Gelder as saying that there have been some positive trends in the region. “We are certainly seeing some positive trends around the region, boosted by swift action taken by many countries to contain the worst impacts of the pandemic, but the health and economic devastation of the pandemic will continue to have an impact,” she said and added that vaccination, improved confidence, consumption, and trade, will help keep this momentum going, but that those countries “must remain vigilant in their efforts to introduce and reinforce policies that can lead to growth, protect health outcomes, and boost human capital”.

The report said that policy efforts in the region need to stay tightly focused on fighting the pandemic, limiting social damage, and nurturing recovery. “All countries should ensure that their health care systems are adequately resourced for vaccine purchase and distribution, testing, therapies, personal protective equipment, and upgrading and maintaining health care facilities. Investments in education, digitalization and other infrastructure projects, and green initiatives should also be prioritized, as they can accelerate the necessary transition to lower carbon dependence as countries emerge from the pandemic,” it said.