Serbian government submitted economic laws to parliament last year

Belgrade, Feb 25, 2004 - Following a statement by the World Bank that foreign donors expect the Serbian parliament to adopt ten new economic laws during the next month, along with amendments to existing laws that are necessary for the continuation of economic reforms, the Serbian government wants to remind the public that it submitted to the parliament a package of 41 bills, including the ten economic bills the World Bank mentions, last year.

These bills have not been discussed because the parliament was dissolved. As soon as the new parliament started with its work, the Serbian government resubmitted the same package of laws for discussion and adoption. So far, none of these bills have been included in the new parliament's agenda.

The World Bank's office in Belgrade said that foreign donors, gathered in an ad hoc committee called the Group for Laws in Transition, made a list of laws that are necessary for the continuation of reforms. The list includes the law on the budget, the law on the registration of enterprises, the law on value added tax, the law on bankruptcy and the law on energy.

Head of the World Bank Belgrade Office Rory O'Sullivan informed all political parties in the Serbian parliament of legislative priorities and the list of necessary laws, classified in three groups according to their importance.