Mihajlovic: Serbia to move up by 50 spots on WB list

BELGRADE - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Zorana Mihajlovic said on Wednesday that Serbia is expected to improve its ranking on the World Bank (WB) Doing Business list by at least 50 spots in 2015.

"Following (the adoption of) the Law on Planning and Construction, Serbia will most certainly move up by 50 positions," Mihajlovic told Tanjug after the first session of the working group tasked with defining concrete measures for improvement of Serbia's position on the WB list, which was held at the Serbian government.

In the latest WB survey "Doing Business 2015", Serbia is ranked 91st according to its business conditions, which is down by 14 places compared to the previous report.

Mihajlovic, who is also the minister of construction, transport and infrastructure, said that the working group will deal with all laws and by-laws for creation of better business conditions.

The main goal is to cut down and simplify administrative procedures and regulations for doing business in Serbia, said Mihajlovic, who chairs the working group.

The meeting has already determined the obligations of certain ministries and they were given a deadline of 10 days to present concrete proposals that will be discussed at the next session of the working group together with representatives of foreign investors, the National Alliance for Local Economic Development (NALED) and financial organizations.

The meeting will discuss the possible drafting of amendments during the next month with a view to ensuring Serbia's progress on the lists of the WB and other international organizations, Mihajlovic said.

Photo Tanjug, T. Valic (archive)