BRNABIC: Big investment plans to continue despite unforeseen crisis

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić has stated that the country is committed to building on the economic transformation that started six years ago, primarily the reduction of the budget deficit, due to which some unpopular consolidation programs had to be implemented at the time, according to her.

In an article she wrote for the Brussels'-based portal Euractiv, Brnabić emphasizes that Serbia is now one of seven countries in the world that have set aside more than 10% of GDP to support the economy and that international institutions like the World Bank and the IMF have expressed confidence in the country's economy.

According to her, the fiscal discipline made the country resilient towards COVID-19, enabling it to pass measures to boost the economy, support workers and companies, and ultimately ease the consequences of the crisis.

– It also gave us a strong foundation to continue with large investment plans despite an unforeseen crisis – we are continuing with improving our road and railway infrastructure, clinical centers and general hospitals across our country, building new infrastructure for education, science and research – the prime minister said.

Brnabić adds that the Government of Serbia is committed to raising living standards across Serbia and ensuring a vibrant future for its citizens at home.

She says that reviving Serbia did not come easy and adds that they had to switch mindsets and focus on long-term prosperity rather than short-term gains.

– We had to take responsibility, not to lay blame or look backwards, but to understand what went wrong and avoid the mistakes of the past. And we had to approach the Serbian people differently, choosing to speak to them honestly and candidly, rather than using lies to defend inefficient policies – Brnabić writes.

Serbian citizens have experienced this transformation first-hand and now have the confidence to believe in a better tomorrow, according to her.

– The list of our priorities for the future is lengthy, and we understand we cannot do it alone. As a result, President Vučić is currently meeting with representatives from all political parties that have entered the parliament to grasp their proposals, demands and needs, and determine ways to work together in the new government – the prime minister wrote.

Brnabić says that Serbia will vigilantly stay on its European path and that its priorities are clear.

First, we need to manage Covid-19, an invisible enemy which continues to upend the world we live in, she says. According to her, it has shaken Serbia's foundations to the core and put the country and the citizens to the test.

– Though we were able to contain it initially with restrictive measures, we are now seeing the situation worsen throughout the region. Sadly, we are approaching the worst figures we had in April and the reality is, this will be a long fight – Brnabić warned.

Međunarodni monetarni fond-MMF Beograd

Svetska Banka-WB Beograd

Vlada Republike Srbije

IMF

World Bank

Government of Serbia

Ana Brnabić

coronavirus

strengthening of the economy

GDP

covid 19

upgrade of road infrastructure

rail infrastructure

clinical centers

general hospitals