Subventions of 3.5 billion RSD for economy and citizens in 2010

- The Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Economy and Regional Development of Serbia, Mlađan Dinkić, said that 3.5 billion RSD would be set aside for subventions for loans for the economy and procurement of domestic goods worth nearly 900m EUR - it is stated on the website of the Government of Serbia.

Dinkić announced at the press conference bigger subventions for interests on Dinar loans for the economy, as well as increased amount of the loan for exporters, and estimated that, thanks to subventions for the loans for the economy and procurement of domestic goods, Serbia registered smaller economic drop in 2009 than other countries.

He estimated that the realization of planned infrastructure projects, for which the funds had already been provided, was necessary for quicker economic recovery, as well as simplification of various procedures, especially issuing of building permits.

The Deputy Prime Minister explained that the interest rate on the loans with foreign currency clause would amount to 4 instead of last year's 5%, and added that the repayment period would be one year, except for the military industry, which will have two years to repay the loan.

When it comes to consumer loans, Dinkić said that they would be granted for purchase of new "punto", FAP trucks from Priboj and "Zastava", and the annual interest rate would amount to 4.5%, with the repayment period of five to seven years.

Dinkić announced that the Government would provide 2.5 billion RSD for subsidized housing construction for another 2,000 apartments in 2010, and he added that the buyer of the apartment would not be paying interest during the first three and the last five years, and that the state would do that instead of him.

The Deputy Prime Minister announced the possibility of increase in salaries in public sector starting September 2009, under the condition that the economy starts its recovery.

He pointed out that Serbia expected direct foreign investments in amount of approximately 3 billion USD, as well as relocation of parts of the industry from Western Europe, which represented an opportunity for the growth of Serbian economy.