The transformation of public enterprises did not bring an increase in transparency
The transformation of public companies into joint-stock companies and limited liability companies did not bring an increase in transparency, according to research conducted by Transparency Serbia.
The PETRA 2026 survey included 34 state-owned enterprises that were evaluated and ranked based on 30 indicators. The average score is 42.1% (out of the maximum number of points), and no company was in the "fully transparent" category (81-100%). Six companies are in the second category (mostly transparent 61-80.9%), "partially transparent" (41-60.9%) are 15, "mostly non-transparent" (21-40.9%) are five, and "non-transparent" (below 21%) are as many as eight.
The best ranked are Park Palić doo, Putevi Srbije doo, Pošta Srbije doo, Zavod za szdukni doo doo, Mreža Most doo and National Park Tara doo.
At the bottom of the table, in the "non-transparent" category, are the Šar Planina National Park (3.3%), Golubački grad Fortress (10%) and Mokra Gora doo Nature Park (13.3%).
The average in the survey carried out five years ago PETRA 2021 was 48.7%, which means that there is a decrease in transparency.
Of the companies that were included in the sample in both surveys, only four companies improved their score from 2021 to 2026, three of them slightly, and only the State Lottery of Serbia significantly improved its score. Two companies have the same rating, while eight have spoiled the result, i.e. reduced transparency.
Among the top-ranked companies, with ratings in the "mostly transparent" range, there are no joint-stock companies - all are limited liability companies.
When looking at individual indicators, basic management data can be found on the websites of 30 out of 34 companies from the sample, the founding act and public procurement plan on 27
The situation is worst in the areas of publication of contracts for legal services and information on the policy of debt collection (0%), while the decision on the appointment/election of directors is found on the websites of only two companies.
Among the recommendations prepared by TS, which will be sent to the competent ministry, is the obligation to publish information on concluded contracts and payments based on advertising and propaganda on websites. It was also recommended to prescribe mechanisms that, through increased publicity in the company's work, would reduce the scope for abuses related to the financing of political activities and election campaigns (eg publishing information on the use of official vehicles, reprogramming and debt forgiveness and other types of assistance).
