IMF projects Serbia's economic growth in 2017 at 2.3%

Economic activity in Serbia continues to grow, despite a temporary slowing down in the first half of the year and the drought, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) therefore estimates that the economic growth in 2017 will amount to 2.3%, the head of the IMF Mission, James Roaf, said on Tuesday, September 19, 2017.

– Economic activity continues to expand, notwithstanding a temporary slowdown in the first half of the year, largely reflecting disruptions in electricity production and the negative impact of the drought on agricultural output – Roaf said in the End-of-Mission press release.

Domestic demand growth is robust, he adds, with continued recovery of private consumption and strong foreign direct investment.

– Importantly, labor market conditions have continued to strengthen, with about 120,000 new jobs created in the 12 months through June. In this context, we project growth of 2.3 percent in 2017, increasing to around 3.5 percent in 2018 – Roaf says.

The IMF previously projected a growth of Serbia's gross domestic product of 3% in 2017.

Economic policies, Roaf points out, should remain focused on improving the supply response of the economy, through the implementation of reforms aimed at fostering private sector activity. These include an improved business and investment environment; more efficient public administration and state-owned enterprises; and higher quantity and quality of public infrastructure.

According to him, the mission started discussions with the authorities on fiscal policy for the remainder of 2017 and the key parameters of the 2018 budget, to be concluded in the October review mission.

– Against continued strong fiscal over-performance in the first seven months of 2017, discussions also covered potential uses of the additional fiscal space, including additional investment in priority areas, prudent increases in public wages and pensions, a reduction of labor taxes, and faster debt reduction. These discussions will continue in the coming weeks – Roaf said.

The IMF Mission, headed by Roaf, visited Belgrade from September 13 through 19 for the purpose of initiating discussion about the 2018 budget and the progress made in the realization of structural reforms.

A full mission for the eighth and final review under Serbia’s precautionary Stand-By Arrangement with the IMF is planned for late October and early November, the press release says.

Međunarodni monetarni fond-MMF Beograd

James Roaf

economic growth

economic growth in Serbia

GDP of Serbia

budget of Serbia for 2018

domestic demand

foreign direct investments

labor market in Serbia

reform of public administration

reform of state companies

salary raises in public sector

pension raises