Finance Minister Sinisa Mali said that he was convinced that salaries in the public sector would be increased from next year, and that more specific percentages of the increase would be known after talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the next two weeks.
“At the moment, I am 99 percent sure that we will be able to ensure an increase in salaries in the public sector because our priority is to increase the living standards of citizens. Despite the corona virus, I am sure that no country in Europe will be able to increase and salaries and pensions, as well as the minimum wage,” Mali told RTS today.
He added that it will be known exactly what the budget for 2021 will look like within two weeks when the talks with the IMF end.
He reminded that from January 1, 2021, the minimum wages will be increased by 6.6 percent, and pensions will be increased by 5.9 percent, according to the Swiss formula.
When asked about the funds of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which are allocated for the Western Balkans, Mali explained that Serbia will receive around 700 million euros.
“It is about investments in infrastructure, such as the construction of the highway from Nis to Plocnik, about the highway that goes to Pristina. And there are also investments in micro, small and medium enterprises. That is very important, and we managed this at the time of the greatest economic crisis, we are preserving the basis of our economy,” said Mali, adding that investments related to the regional initiative of connecting “mini Schengen” are also planned.
Speaking about the European Union’s economic and investment plan for the Western Balkans, the Minister of Finance said that 12 billion euros were expected, but that according to the information at his disposal, nine billion euros would be allocated.
“We are waiting for the report of the European Commission. According to the information I have, we will receive praise for the economic program we have implemented, for the way Serbia reacted when it comes to the fight against the corona virus. We will also receive praise for health efficiency in the crisis. “There are also praises for attracting foreign direct investments, because despite the pandemic, we managed to attract almost two billion euros of investments in the first nine months of this year,” said Mali.
When asked about the procurement of “Bayraktar” fighter drones in Turkey, Mali said that the strengthening of Serbia’s military capability is underway.
“We insist on peace and stability in the region, but we must also work on strengthening military capabilities. We are still negotiating at the moment. Drones are very interesting for our army, and these Turkish ones have performed very well all over the world. In the next few days, we will have concrete information,” he added, Novi Magazin reports.
