Featured Country: The Balkans

The 8 countries Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Bosnia Herzegovina and Kosovo, located on the Adriatic Sea in Southeast Europe, were, with the exception of Albania, parts of the former Yugoslavia and are together referred to as the Balkan Nations.

The term Balkan acquired a political meaning after the collapse of the Yugoslav Federation in the early 1990s, and the following series of conflicts, known as the Balkan wars. Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina and Macedonia proclaimed their independence in 1992, while Serbia and Montenegro split up in 2006 and Kosovo obtained its independence in 2008.

Geographically, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece and Turkey are also Balkan nations. However, we will profile them separately in future issues of this newsletter.

Nowadays Slovenia (which joined the European Union in 2004), Croatia and, to a lesser extent, Serbia are in many ways modern industrial societies. These three countries represent a market of 13.8 millions inhabitants and have a joint GDP of 174 billion dollars. Even though their economy has improved during the last few years, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Bosnia Herzegovina and Kosovo still remain among the poorest countries in Europe, with unexplored Business opportunities.

Balkan Nations’ trade relations are very oriented towards the European Union countries, especially Italy, Greece and Germany. Learn more about Trade in Balkans by reading the annual Balkan Trade Bulletin and looking through the website of the BCTP, Balkan Regional Center for Trade Promotion.

There are many other good online resources that will help you doing business in the Balkans. Get business news from Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, TFYR of Macedonia, Bosnia Herzegovina and Kosovo on Balkans.com. Find government procurement opportunities in the 8 countries on Tendersinfo.com.

For more information about each country, visit the websites of the U.S. Commercial Service in Balkan States and click on the country links for Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Albania, Macedonia, and Bosnia Herzegovina. The sites give extensive information about the markets through news and guides, and program several conferences, trade missions and training programs.

If that's not enough, you'll also find plenty of good research at the FITA Mini Portals  where you can get of an overview of the country, with facts about the language, currency, climate, etc., plus more specific information about the economy, markets, taxes, labor market indicators, and tips on doing business in Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Albania and TFYR of Macedonia.
 
The U.S. State Department warns that the health facilities in Croatia, although generally of western caliber, are under severe budgetary strains.

Some medicines are in short supply in public hospitals and clinics. The number of private medical and dental practitioners is substantial, and private pharmacies stock a variety of medicines not readily available through public health facilities. Tick-borne encephalitis, a disease preventable with a three-shot vaccination series, is found throughout inland Croatia but is not prevalent along the coast. Ambulance services can be reached by dialing 94. Ambulance services are effective; however, response times may be longer to more isolated areas.

Medical facilities are available in the Slovak Republic, although the quality and availability varies within the country. Ambulances are only a means of transportation to the hospital; they may not have life support stabilization equipment on board. Only a limited number of doctors speak English. Serious medical problems may require medical evacuation to a higher standard of care.

Remember that medical prescriptions issued in the U.S. are not valid in the Slovak Republic. If needed, a local doctor must issue a prescription. Medicines are generally available locally, if not available under the American name, a doctor can be consulted for a substitute. The Ministry of Health of Slovak Republic administers the use of medicines and medicine brought to the Slovak Republic for personal use may become subject to comparison against the list of those authorized for use in the Slovak Republic.

Although many physicians in Serbia are highly trained, hospitals, clinics, and ambulances are generally not equipped and maintained to Western standards. A broad range of medicines and basic medical supplies are obtainable in privately owned pharmacies, but travelers should not expect to find the same kinds or brands of medication or medical supplies in Serbia as are available in the U.S.


Although many Macedonian physicians are trained to a high standard, and a number of well-equipped private clinics are available especially in Skopje, most public hospitals and clinics are not equipped and maintained at U.S. or Western European standards.

Basic medical supplies are usually available, but specialized treatment may not be obtainable. Travelers with previously diagnosed medical conditions may wish to consult their physician before travel.

We highly recommend purchasing a high quality international health insurance policy which includes emergency medical evacuation.  In a medical emergency, it might require facilities and physicians who are not readily available locally.  Having an emergency medical evacuation plan gives you 24 hour assistance who can coordinate medical transportation to a hospital that can treat you properly.  Call Insurance Services of America for a no-obligation quote at 800.647.4589 or visit us online at http://www.globalcitizeninsurance.com/ for an instant quote and to apply.