economy
February 10, 2026
Will Vučić's robots meet the fate of the 'Yugo'?
Croatia's European reputation is a roadmap for Serbia
TL;DR
- Delta Holding is set to produce potatoes for PepsiCo and hazelnuts for Ferrero, leveraging its long-term partnerships.
- Serbia's president announced the production of 'thousands of armed robots' for national security, with a factory to be assembled using the "screwdriver industry" model.
- This model, similar to historical car assembly plants, relies on cheap labor rather than fostering genuine innovation.
- Critics argue that Serbia lacks the necessary ecosystem for technological advancement, including a lack of a supportive financial environment and institutional reforms.
- Nobel laureate Philippe Aghion emphasizes that economic growth through innovation requires institutional reforms such as healthy political competition, reduced bureaucracy, and eradication of corruption.
- Serbia is described as lacking a favorable business environment, a strong legal framework, and a developed financial ecosystem needed for innovation.
- The robot factory project is compared to past unfulfilled promises and is seen as unlikely to lead to genuine innovation or sustainable growth, potentially resembling the fate of the 'Yugo' car or the unbuilt Mubadala chip factory.
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