Forum on Economic Development in Serbia and Montenegro

February 4, 2004, 2-5 PM

The George Washington University

Marvin Center, Room 307

Background

The collapse of Yugoslavia was marked by a bloody conflict that shattered the Balkans and the international community alike. Decisive NATO bombings in the summer of 1999 stopped the fighting and hastened the pace of dissolution. After these events and years of socialist rule, the introduction of a free market economy was painful and slow for Serbia and Montenegro. The economy of what is now a loose union of Serbia and Montenegro is damaged but there are signs of recovery.

What are the economic prospects and obstacles the countries face now? What have they achieved in a short time of peace? Where do they go from here? What is the economic impact on Serbia of European Union (EU) enlargement? These and other questions were discussed in a Forum on the Economic Development of Serbia and Montenegro on February 4, 2004.

There were three speakers. The honored guest, The Ambassador of Serbia and Montenegro to the United States Mr. Ivan Vujacic, gave a general overview of the newly formed nation.  Ms. Scheherezade Rehman, Ph.D., spoke about the importance of EU enlargement.  Mr. Joseph Pelzman, Ph.D., discussed the prospects for the region in the near future.

Speakers:

Dr. Ivan Vujacic, is Ambassador of Serbia and Montenegro to the United States.  Mr. Vujacic earned a Ph.D., in Economics in 1989 at the University of Belgrade. Before becoming ambassador he was a Professor of Economics in the Department of Economics, University of Belgrade, Serbia. He did research at the London School of Economics and Political Science and was a Fulbright Scholar in 1983-1984 at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He became the Ambassador of Serbia and Montenegro to the United States in December 2002.

Ms. Theresa Grencik is the Serbia and Montenegro Desk Officer at the Office of South Central European Affairs, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State. Ms. Grencik has led the five-person Serbia and Montenegro team in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs since August 2002. Ms. Grencik has also served as an Advisor to the Special Negotiator for Eurasian Conflicts (2001-2002); Economic Officer at the U.S. Office – Pristina (2000-2001); and Vice-Consul, Embassy Sofia (1996-1998). Before entering the Foreign Service, Ms. Grencik served as Assistant Council for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources from 1988 to 1995.

Dr. Scheherezade Rehman, is Associate Professor of International Finance at The George Washington University, School of Business and Public Management. Her areas of expertise are global financial markets, central banks, global financial crisis management and financial sector development, the European Union, Central and Eastern Europe and Exchange regimes. Dr. Rehman received her Ph.D. from The George Washington University. She is the Director of the European Union Research Center and the Director of the six Joint International MBA-MA Degree Programs. Dr. Rehman is also a Fulbright Senior Specialist.

Dr. Joseph Pelzman, is Professor of Economics and International Law at The George Washington University. His areas of expertise are international trade and finance, law and economics, and economies in transition. Professor Pelzman received his B.A. in economics from Boston College and began his MA in Soviet Studies at Harvard University. His Ph.D. in Economics was completed at Boston College. After 20 years as an economics faculty member, Professor Pelzman entered the George Washington Law School and completed his JD in 1998. He is admitted to practice in the State of Maryland.

This Forum was organized by Wafa Abou-Zaki of the Research Program in Social and Organizational Learning in the GWU Management Science Department. Some photos were taken and a short report was written by Megan Doscher.

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