The Minister of Finance, Sinisa Mali, talked with the delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by Jan Kees Martijn, at the beginning of the first revision of the new advisory arrangement “Policy Coordination Instrument”, which began in June 2021.
The aim of the new arrangement is to implement structural reforms and maintain macroeconomic and financial stability.
Minister Mali pointed out that in the first nine months, Serbia has a better fiscal result by 1.5 billion euros, ie that the deficit amounts to 788 million euros, due to much higher revenues, primarily taxes.
As stated in the statement of the ministry, when it comes to other macroeconomic results, Mali pointed out that in the first half of this year, economic growth of 7.6 percent was achieved, and that the Ministry of Finance for this year increased the GDP growth projection to seven percent, but to believe that even higher rates can be reached.
Minister Mali pointed out that all four reform goals that were agreed with the IMF in April this year were fulfilled, which, as he assessed, “speaks of the commitment and seriousness of the Republic of Serbia to this arrangement.”
The interlocutors also discussed the budget for 2022, which should be in the parliamentary procedure in the second half of November, in order to be adopted by the end of that month.
Jan Kees Martijn agreed that the results are better than they expected in April this year, and that the economy is recovering with good dynamics.
Talks as part of the current mission, which will last until October 22, will be held online this week, while IMF representatives will visit Belgrade next week, Danas reports.
