As stated by the EBRD, the Competitiveness Policy Priorities for Western Balkans (the Action) is a regional project aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the private sector and MSMEs in the Western Balkans and thus supporting European Union (EU) accession efforts of the Region. The project will be financed by the EU under the Western Balkans Investment Framework.

Across the Western Balkans, businesses, and particularly MSMEs, are hindered by inadequate regulation, weak institutions, and a difficult business environment. These, and other challenges, limit firms' ability to innovate, adopt new technologies, and integrate into global value chains. Therefore, the Action will identify and address policy priorities in each of the six Western Balkan countries to unlock growth opportunities for businesses in the region. The Action will also promote digitalisation as enabler of competitiveness, business climate and economic governance, and will offer a harmonised approach to interventions in the areas of competitiveness, economic governance, digital and innovative, while aligning with green transition principles.

The main objective of the Action is to enhance competitiveness of the private sector, thus contributing to the implementation of the European Commission's Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) for the Western Balkans (the priority 2.5. of the EIP) and the EU accession process of the Region. This will be achieved through two phases:

Phase 1 - Developing competitiveness policy priorities (CPP) documents:

• Perform diagnostics of obstacles to and opportunities for competitiveness of the private sector, with particular focus on obstacles in relation to digital and innovative MSMEs, in each of the six Western Balkans economies, as well as at regional level.
• Outline policy priorities for each country (short, medium and long term) and propose technical assistance interventions (to be taken forward in Phase 2 of this project both at country and regional level so as to address identified constrains and enhance private sector competitiveness) in line with these policy priorities (and potentially financial instruments).
• Draft CPP documents, consult and seek feedback on them from key stakeholders, including EC, EU Delegations in 6 WB countries, government and relevant public bodies, business representatives, and IFIs.
• Finalise CPP documents (to be updated annually) and present them to stakeholders.

Phase 2 - Implementation of selected technical assistance activities (TAs) identified within the CPP documents to address priority reform actions (some of these to be implemented at regional level, and some at national level) :

• Preparatory activities: include all activities following the CPPs validation process until the start of the TAs implementation (developing project proposals and aligning with stakeholders, developing project documentation, running selection and procurement processes and contracting of consulting services). 
• Action implementation: include effective implementation of selected CPP TAs aimed to deliver a set of objectives for each of them as well as to achieve overall objectives of the Action.

Investment amount not available at the time of disclosure.

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ACCESS TO INFORMATION

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ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF EBRD

The Project Complaint Mechanism (PCM) is the independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who have been or are likely to be adversely affected by an European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the PCM, it may assess compliance with EBRD's own policies and procedures to prevent harm to the environment or communities or it may assist you in resolving the problem that led to the complaint through a dialogue with those implementing the project. Additionally, the PCM has the authority to recommend a project be suspended in the event that harm is imminent.

You can contact the PCM at: pcm@ebrd.com or you can submit a complaint online using an online form at: http://www.ebrd.com/eform/pcm/complaint_form?language=en

You can learn more about the PCM and how to file a complaint at: http://www.ebrd.com/work-with-us/project-finance/project-complaint-mechanism.html