ZCZC
BCN-36
WORLDBANK-SERBIA-GDP
Serbia has potential to become fast-growing economy: World Bank official
BELGRADE, May 8, 2019 (BSS/Xinhua) – Thanks to implemented reforms, Serbia
today has the potential for fast and dynamic growth at an annual rate of 7
percent, World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia Cyril Muller
said here Tuesday.
Visiting World Bank delegation led by Muller said they were satisfied with
Serbia’s results “especially when it comes to surplus in the state budget,
decreasing level of public debt, stable growth of investments and decrease in
unemployment”, according to a statement by Serbian president Aleksandar
Vucic’s cabinet.
Muller met with Vucic and several Serbian government officials in the day.
Vucic told Muller that Serbia will implement all necessary reforms, from
tax administration to mining and energy so that it could achieve a 7-percent
growth in the future.
“Serbia does not have problems with finances, but requires higher growth in
order for people to achieve better living standard,” Vucic said.
World Bank representatives also attended signing of three new agreements
for loans with Serbia worth 142 million U.S. dollars that are intended for
projects that will “contribute to modernization of tax administration, e-
government, and regional trade”.
Muller also had a separate meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic,
with whom he discussed upcoming reforms and improvement of legal framework
and business environment.
According to official figures, the Serbian economy grew 2.3 percent year on
year in the first quarter of 2019 from the same period last year. In 2018, it
expanded around 4.4 percent.
BSS/XINHUA/HR/1455