Forbes Serbia Weekly Review: Belgrade Arena seeks concessionaire, families await dispute resolution

Belgrade Arena is facing a critical juncture, with financial reports indicating significant energy and operational inefficiencies. Forbes Serbia's review highlights that the venue consumes more than it generates, suggesting a strong need for a private concessionaire and a fundamental shift in management strategies. While past financial reports show a trend of improvement, they are insufficient to pull the company out of losses.

The review also sheds light on the government's use of reserve funds. The proposed budget for 2025 reveals that nearly 93 billion dinars, or approximately 790 million euros, were disbursed from the current and standing budget reserves in the past year. This allocation occurred without parliamentary control or debate, with a notable portion directed towards security sectors for undisclosed purposes. This practice, criticized by the International Monetary Fund for lacking fiscal transparency, saw an increase in funds distributed through reserves compared to the previous year.

In other business news, UNA Television is poised for a change in ownership. Following a concentration notification submitted to the North Macedonian antimonopoly commission, it appears that Telekom Srbija intends to acquire full control of River Media, the publishing company behind UNA Television. This potential acquisition suggests a significant consolidation within the media landscape.

Separately, the article touches upon families awaiting the resolution of a dispute concerning a barracks case, indicating ongoing legal or administrative processes that are yet to reach a conclusion. The lack of response from the management of Arena Beograd to Forbes Serbia's inquiries further compounds the opacity surrounding the arena's operations.