Vučić and the IMF: About NIS, margins and the future

Fiscal inflows, margins, NIS, salary increases in the public sector, and fiscal risks related to public companies and local self-governments are topics discussed by the President of Serbia on Monday (October 27). Aleksandar Vučić and IMF representatives.

“Serbia consistently fulfills its obligations from the current arrangement with the IMF and shows that it is a reliable and predictable partner,” Vučić said in a statement after the meeting with members of the Mission. IMF in Serbia, which he described as important and meaningful.

Special attention was paid to measures to limit trade margins, new legal solutions in the field of market regulation and consumer protection, as well as plans for further liberalization of the market and strengthening of competition.

NIS one of the topics

The focus was on the continuation of reforms in the tax administration, improvement of public investments, modernization of the energy sector, as well as possible scenarios related to NIS and measures to be taken in order to preserve security of supply and stability of the energy market.

Vučić also said that he had difficult conversations, specifying that one of the topics was the problem related to the NIS, which, as he said, is the biggest risk, and its solution is of crucial importance for Serbia.

“It is important for us that the IMF confirms the arrangement on Thursday, and on December 19, their main Board must confirm it in Washington. It is very important for us, because of the credit rating and everything else. There are risks, the biggest risk is of course the NIS, and that is of crucial importance for us,” said Vučić.

The President of Serbia also stated that he expects to have answers at the end of this week or during the next week regarding the Oil Industry of Serbia and noted that the rumors that Croats will become the new owners of the company are untrue.

“Leap into the future”

There was also talk about the implementation of projects within the “Leap into the future – Serbia 2027” program, which will contribute to the acceleration of economic growth and the creation of new jobs, said Vučić on the occasion of the meeting with the IMF mission headed by Annette Kjobe.

“Even though we are faced with great challenges, caused by trade disagreements and tariff conditions, we are confident that through continued cooperation with the IMF we will continue to strengthen the resilience of our economy, preserve macroeconomic stability and provide even better conditions for investments, development and a higher standard of living for the citizens of Serbia,” said Vučić.

Source: FoNet