"IMF and WB are important for Serbia's credibility"

WASHINGTON Finance Minister Lazar Krstic said on Sunday that "nothing was more important to Serbia at the moment than a precautionary arrangement with the IMF." But he added that support from international financial institutions was needed regardless, as proof of credibility of the Serbian government's policies. "IMF and WB are important for Serbia's credibility" "We want to start talks with the IMF, because it would provide credibility for our policies, but the level of our foreign exchange reserves is such that we do not need anything more than a precautionary arrangement at this moment," Krstic told Radio and Television of Serbia from Washington, where he attended an annual session of the IMF and World Bank (WB) together with National Bank of Serbia Governor Jorgovanka Tabakovic. The Serbian delegation received positive feedback from IMF and WB officials because of the changes in the country's economic policy, he stated. The delegation met with high-level officials from the U.S. State Department and Department of the Treasury as well, he pointed out. The officials the delegation met with said that the Serbian government's economic measures were stimulating to foreign investors. Tabakovic noted that the officials in Washington had commented positively about the mid-term value of the Serbian government's measures. The government is coping with mistakes inherited from earlier administrations, but also with the burden of unfulfilled promises given to the IMF and international financial institutions, she remarked. During the three-day talks at the IMF and WB, the focus will mostly be on a potential new agreement with Serbia and a WB programme of around USD 400 million. (Beta, file) Tanjug

"IMF and WB are important for Serbia's credibility"

"We want to start talks with the IMF, because it would provide credibility for our policies, but the level of our foreign exchange reserves is such that we do not need anything more than a precautionary arrangement at this moment," Krstić told Radio and Television of Serbia from Washington, where he attended an annual session of the IMF and World Bank (WB) together with National Bank of Serbia Governor Jorgovanka Tabaković.

The Serbian delegation received positive feedback from IMF and WB officials because of the changes in the country's economic policy, he stated.

The delegation met with high-level officials from the U.S. State Department and Department of the Treasury as well, he pointed out.

The officials the delegation met with said that the Serbian government's economic measures were stimulating to foreign investors.

Tabaković noted that the officials in Washington had commented positively about the mid-term value of the Serbian government's measures.

The government is coping with mistakes inherited from earlier administrations, but also with the burden of unfulfilled promises given to the IMF and international financial institutions, she remarked.

During the three-day talks at the IMF and WB, the focus will mostly be on a potential new agreement with Serbia and a WB programme of around USD 400 million.