REINDUSTRIALIZATION AND STRUCTURAL CHANGE IN FUNCTION OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

Vladimir Micic

Faculty of Economics, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, The Republic of Serbia

This paper examines industrialization and structural change induced thereof, which are the main drivers and bearers of economic development. The author observes that the industry of the Republic of Serbia is devastated due to sudden and premature tertiarization as well as inadequate reforms. The current structures of both the economy and the industry do not have a sufficient capacity to ensure sustainable economic development; hence, the aim of the research presented in this paper is to emphasize the importance of reindustrialization and the implementation of structural changes in the Republic of Serbia. The paper starts from the premise that industry is the main driver and the bearer of economic growth and development. Therefore, it is necessary for the Republic of Serbia to turn to reindustrialization and implement structural changes in this sector given the fact that the levels of the development and competitiveness of the industry are correlated to the intensity of industrialization. The research findings indicate that developed industrial countries are characterized by more effective structural changes and more propulsive production that creates higher value-added products. This reflects not only at the level of the industrial development but also at the level of the competitiveness, volume and quality of exports.

Keywords: industrialization, structural change, the level of industry development and competitiveness, economic development

JEL Classification: L16, N1, O14, O25, O47

Economic Horizons, 2015, Vol. 17, No 1, pp. 15-32; Published online 21 April 2015; doi:10.5937/ekonhor1501015M
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