Current Status and Perspectives of the Textile Industry in Serbia

Abstract

The paper considers the current status and development perspectives of the textile industry in Serbia. As one of the oldest industries in the world, textile industry in Serbia (and Yugoslavia) was very developed and carried a lot of importance in GDP creation, absorption of the unemployed workers (especially women), and exports income. Unfortunately, in the last decade of 20th and first decade of 21st century, the country was deindustrialized and its industry, especially textile, was devastated. Big enterprises, as the basis of this strong branch, were liquidated, so now this industry consists mainly of small firms, which are highly imports dependent. They are grouped in five zones (Central Serbia, Northern Serbia, Western Serbia, Eastern Serbia, and South-Western Serbia), with different production programs. The future development of textile industry in Serbia must be seen in the context of reindustrialization and balanced regional development. This must be carefully planned and implemented.

Keywords: Textile Industry, Serbia, Deindustrialization and Reindustrialization, Balanced Regional Development, Economic Zones

JEL Classification: L67, N64, O14, P27