The head of the European Union Delegation to Serbia, Sam Fabrizi, said at today’s meeting with Economy Minister Andjelka Atanaskovic that the EU is ready to continue supporting the Serbian government in further economic growth, especially through the planned establishment of a platform for coordinating reforms in the business environment.
He pointed out that the platform will be supported through a new project, financed by the EU with a budget of eight million euros, which will also contribute to the simplification and digitalization of services provided by the state to the business sector.
“The EU is Serbia’s largest donor and trading partner, and available support mechanisms include support for business advisory services offered to the private sector, as well as the provision of several financial support mechanisms for SMEs such as loans, equity financing, innovation funds and loan guarantees through the Western Balkans Enterprise Development and Innovation Program,” Fabrizi said in a statement.
According to him, it is planned to sign a grant agreement of 11 million euros with the Development Agency of Serbia, with the aim of supporting this sector to overcome the technological gap and improve equipment for modern production, capacity expansion, job creation and better market competitiveness.
“This project, which is financed by the EU, will help create conditions for greater growth and competitiveness of the economy,” Fabrizi said.
Atanaskovic presented Fabrizi with economic trends and measures taken by the Government of Serbia and the Ministry of Economy to mitigate the negative consequences of the pandemic on the Serbian economy, and thanked for the significant assistance that the EU provides to Serbia during the pandemic.
She stated that the priorities of the Ministry of Economy are further improvement of the business environment, increase of investments, completion of the privatization process, continuation of reforms in the field of state ownership, as well as development of women’s and youth entrepreneurship.
Atanaskovic pointed out that these activities will give additional impetus to the entire process of European integration of Serbia.
“I am glad that the European Commission recognizes the significant contribution that the Ministry of Economy gives to the process of European integration of Serbia, which it stated in its latest report, where it especially praises the progress in economic reforms and economic chapters,” Atanaskovic said.
At the meeting, guidelines were agreed for the continuation of cooperation between the Ministry of Economy and the EU Delegation in Serbia on the implementation of structural reforms, it is stated in the announcement of the Ministry of Economy, Danas reports.
