Serbia asks Chinese to approve USD 1.8bn loan

BELGRADE Mladjan Dinkic says the government asked China to approve a USD 1.8bn loan to Serbia, that would finance energy and transport infrastructure project. Serbia's finance and economy minister spoke on Wednesday in Belgrade to state that the government was "exceptionally satisfied" with the pace of construction works on the Zemun-Borca bridge and the Kostolac power plant modernization, and for that reason decided to ask the Chinese government and China Exim Bank to now also support other big projects. Serbia asks Chinese to approve USD 1.8bn loan The minister specified that they were building of new capacities at Kostolac, and three new highways: Belgrade-Ljig, Pojate-Preljina, and Novi Sad- Ruma-Sabac-Loznica. According to him, these projects would involve both Serbian and Chinese companies, after the model already in place in the Zemun-Borca bridge project. Dinkic added that by the time mixed inter-governmental commissions for trade and economic cooperation of the two countries meet in the first quarter of next year, contracts would be prepared with Exim Bank, so that works could begin "in the spring of next year". The minister noted that his colleagues Velimir Ilic and Verica Kalanovic were in talks with Chinese companies that have shown interest, and that those who offered the lowest price would be awarded contracts. Dinkic made the statements after his meeting in Belgrade on Wednesday with Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan, during which they signed an agreement on a Chinese government donation to Serbia worth USD 2mn, which Dinkic said would go to those "who need it the most". Zhong Shan and Mladjan Dinkic (Tanjug) Serbia committed to better relations with China Prime Minister Ivica Dacic said on Wednesday during the talks with Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan that Serbia is committed to improvement in relations with that state. The prime minister commended China's principled support for the protection of Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty in line with the international law, and voiced confidence that the forthcoming congress of the Communist Party of China will give a new impetus to the development of this friendly state. Serbia and China have traditionally friendly relations, and a speedy improvement in economic cooperation is expected in the near future through the realization of strategic partnership, the Serbian government's media office announced on Wednesday. As estimated during the meeting, the cooperation between the two countries will be based on the participation of Chinese economy in the construction of infrastructure projects and investments in the existing and new production capacities in Serbia. Beta Tanjug

Serbia asks Chinese to approve USD 1.8bn loan

The minister specified that they were building of new capacities at Kostolac, and three new highways: Belgrade-Ljig, Pojate-Preljina, and Novi Sad- Ruma-Šabac-Loznica.

According to him, these projects would involve both Serbian and Chinese companies, after the model already in place in the Zemun-Borča bridge project.

Dinkić added that by the time mixed inter-governmental commissions for trade and economic cooperation of the two countries meet in the first quarter of next year, contracts would be prepared with Exim Bank, so that works could begin "in the spring of next year".

The minister noted that his colleagues Velimir Ilić and Verica Kalanović were in talks with Chinese companies that have shown interest, and that those who offered the lowest price would be awarded contracts.

Dinkić made the statements after his meeting in Belgrade on Wednesday with Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan, during which they signed an agreement on a Chinese government donation to Serbia worth USD 2mn, which Dinkić said would go to those "who need it the most".

Serbia committed to better relations with China

Prime Minister Ivica Dačić said on Wednesday during the talks with Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan that Serbia is committed to improvement in relations with that state.

The prime minister commended China's principled support for the protection of Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty in line with the international law, and voiced confidence that the forthcoming congress of the Communist Party of China will give a new impetus to the development of this friendly state.

Serbia and China have traditionally friendly relations, and a speedy improvement in economic cooperation is expected in the near future through the realization of strategic partnership, the Serbian government's media office announced on Wednesday.

As estimated during the meeting, the cooperation between the two countries will be based on the participation of Chinese economy in the construction of infrastructure projects and investments in the existing and new production capacities in Serbia.