Vucic: Global economy to grow at slower pace than Serbian economy

BELGRADE - The Serbian economy is currently projected to grow 2.8 pct in 2026, but authorities expect a strengthening construction sector to potentially take that growth to up to 3 pct, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday, adding that the global economy would be growing at a slower pace compared to the Serbian economy.

Speaking to reporters after the signing of documents with the Chinese construction company Shandong to build the Commander Karadjordje Expressway, Vucic said that, according to initial estimates for Q1 2026, 3.0-3.1 pct growth was expected.

"That is a really good Q1 estimate. Our construction sector has underperformed, and that is why we must now boost both civil engineering and building construction and, above all, the issuance of (construction) permits in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Kragujevac and Nis, so that we can maintain growth and try to keep everything at 3 pct," Vucic added.

He said international institutions, including the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Economic Forum, had projected 3.5 pct growth for Serbia in 2027.

Vucic added that developed countries would be registering approximately 1.7 pct growth at the same time, making Serbia's growth rate more than twice as high in comparison.