The economy of Serbia has done very well in the pandemic so far, has shown much better than the economies of countries that are economically and politically stronger and more developed and in this crisis situation have shown how Serbia, as a responsible and capable state, should behave towards itself and its own economy, but also to the citizens, said the State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy, Dragan Stevanovic.
Dragan Stevanovic stated that such a responsible attitude brought positive effects and results.
According to him, last year we ended with the lowest rate of GDP decline in Europe, in the region we have long exceeded those values in every aspect, even in terms of the effects that the coronavirus pandemic has left in Europe and the world.
“We were at the very top of the European scale, the decline was only one percent, which with a package of economic measures, creates a positive environment and creates the opportunity to end the current year as planned – on the roof of the European scale and have growth of over six percent, or, seven estimated,” the Secretary of State pointed out.
In the first quarter, GDP grew by 1.2 percent
Stevanovic pointed out that the results achieved at the beginning of 2021 were more than satisfied, with a GDP increase of 1.2 percent in the first quarter.
“We have brought the economy and statistics to the level we had in the first quarter of last year, and that is promising because we will get out of the problem faster and easier and eliminate the possible consequences of the crisis caused by the pandemic much faster,” Stevanovic emphasized.
He emphasized that Serbia has well designed and structurally set the budget, and the activities and work plan of the Government and the state are absolutely directed towards economic growth, and all that should have an effect.
He also emphasized that the whole world admits to Serbia that it coped well with the crisis caused by the pandemic, that is, that “a handful of frustrated politicians in Serbia” are trying to dispute that.
“Despite them, we are bravely moving forward and we expect good results,” Stevanovic points out.
Businessmen have reason to be satisfied with the measures of the state
The State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy believes that the vast majority of businessmen have reason to be satisfied with the measures of the state which are the function of helping the economy.
Both businessmen and indirect employees were supported, the strategy was to keep the number of employees at the pre-crisis level.
Stevanovic also notes that the number of employees, compared to March last year, increased by 57,000.
He added that everything planned in the budget for the current year is in the function of preserving jobs and increasing employment.
The Ministry of Economy, Stevanovic reminded, this year determined almost 130 million euros for incentives that will be awarded to companies that invest in Serbia.
He pointed out that no project of a domestic or foreign investor, which was announced earlier, for which a contract has been concluded or has already started to be realized, will be canceled.
According to Stevanovic, with the continuation of the construction of roads, through the affirmation of the story about environmental protection, work will be done on water purification plants, sewage, water supply, and it will positively affect the increase in the number of employees.
In addition, the Ministry of Economy set aside 17 million euros as grants to support the sector of small and medium enterprises, micro enterprises and entrepreneurs for favorable loans for the purchase of equipment, development and investments.
Stevanovic also announced the imminent start of the realization of the project in the amount of 200 million euros. It is implemented with the European Investment Bank, half of the loan is intended for the purchase of working capital and liquidity, and the other half for investments.
The importance, strength and vitality of small and medium enterprises have been recognized, he says, both in Serbia and in the world.
Dragan Stevanovic points out that 99.9 percent of our economy is located and concentrated in that sector which has more than one million and one hundred thousand employees and which records a constant growth trend.
It is important, especially within the framework of the green agenda, and everyone is in the focus of that sector, and everyone is looking for ways and models to help it more strongly and meet it, the Secretary of State points out.
Serbia has regained strong international credibility
Commenting on Serbia’s economic cooperation with many countries, Stevanovic assessed that our country has more than strongly regained its own international credibility and reputation, that everyone takes it seriously and wants to see and recognize it as a strategic partner of the part of Europe in which it is located.
“Today, when you talk about Serbia, the basic associations are political, economic, financial and any other stability,” Stevanovic points out, adding that such a country is interesting to everyone.
He also points out that businessmen from all over the world are present in Serbia. “That is the policy established by President Aleksandar Vucic, there are no deviations, nor there will be any,” says Stevanovic.
He explains that the obligation is to show the citizens, by promoting a different, new, tidy and more successful Serbia, bringing in investors and establishing cooperation with countries in the world, the existence of a policy that will provide them with a better life and a better future in 2025, RTS reports.
