Regional Cooperation Council emphasizes Western Balkan market integration

Amer Kapetanović, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), highlights the necessity of regional integration as a core component of the Western Balkans' path toward the European Union single market. He notes a paradox where local businesses can successfully supply major European manufacturers across thousands of kilometers but face significant barriers when attempting to expand into neighboring economies just hundreds of kilometers away.

According to Balkan Barometer research, while 70% of companies believe removing trade barriers is vital for regional trade, only 6% currently employ workers from neighboring economies. The six Western Balkan economies represent a combined market of nearly 17 million people. Integrating these markets aims to provide businesses with more customers, qualified workers, and suppliers, while offering investors access to a larger, more connected region.

In 2025, trade between the region and the EU reached approximately 88 billion euros, with nearly 70% of regional goods exported to the European market.