In February 2021, the Government of Serbia adopted a new, third package of economic aid measures worth 249 billion dinars. The total value of all three packages is 953 billion dinars, or approximately eight billion euros.
This package of measures, unlike the first two, also includes large companies that are also suffering the consequences of the pandemic.
As stated by the Prime Minister of Serbia A. Brnabic, it will help reduce the negative consequences of the corona virus, save jobs, keep the economy from losing "oxygen", but also help citizens survive these difficult times.
Our country has received praise from IMF, World Bank and other institutions for the economic measures to mitigate the consequences of COVID-19 so far. Serbia thus shows that it is a strong and stable state and that citizens and the economy can count on it in the most difficult moments.
Prime Minister Ana Brnabić and Minister of Finance, Siniša Mali, pointed out that the country fought on two fronts - health and economic, and that it achieved phenomenal results in both fields.
In 2020, Serbia had a drop in GDP of only 1%, which was the best economic result in Europe.
Wages and pensions, as well as employment, continued to rise. The average salary in November was 518 euros, while inflation remained stable at 1.6%.
Last year, 50,500 more employees were registered, while the public debt rate increased the least compared to almost all European countries. In our country, it is still below 60%, that is, 56.8% of GDP.
When it comes to the budget for 2021, the figures from January are much better than expected, because instead of the planned budget deficit of 13.4 billion dinars, a surplus of 13.3 billion dinars was realized.
During 2020, when the entire world economy suffered, our industrial production was 0.4 % higher than in 2019. Exports also increased, amounting to 17.5 billion euros, while in 2019 it was 17.1 billion euros.
The third aid package covers an additional 300,000 employees in large companies, which, along with 1,050,000 entrepreneurs and employees in micro, small and medium enterprises, means that the aid can benefit a total of 1.4 million employees in the private sector.
A total of 1,505,093 entrepreneurs and employees in micro, small, medium and large companies in our country will receive direct state support in the amount of one and a half minimum, and the package also includes financial assistance to citizens. The measure concerning the payment of the minimum will take effect on March 1, the first payment will be in April, the second in May and the third in June. It does not include banks and financial institutions.
In addition to one and a half minimums, support in the amount of another full minimum will be provided to caterers, travel agencies, licensed travel guides and escorts, hotels, resorts and car rental agencies.
City hotels will receive another type of direct state support in the amount of 350 euros per individual bed and 150 euros per accommodation unit. City hotels also had this kind of help at the end of last year.
The sector of passenger and road transport and bus stations will also receive direct support, which means 600 euros per bus for a period of six months.
In order to preserve the liquidity of the private sector, the state has decided to extend the existing guarantee scheme, and a new guarantee scheme will be established to support the most vulnerable companies.
January pensions were increased by 5.9 %, according to the Swiss formula, and 1.7 million pensioners will receive a one-time assistance of 50 euros and another 60 euros, as well as other adult citizens.
A total of 6,118,911 adult citizens will receive 60 euros in assistance, and that measure will be implemented through two payments, in May and November.
