The Committee members accepted the proposal of the Committee Chairperson to conduct a joint debate on the bills elaborated by acting director of the Public Debt Directorate Branko Drcelic.

The Bill on the Confirmation of the Loan Agreement (First Public Expenditure and Public Utilities Development Policy Loan) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Reconstruction and Development Bank concerns the loan of 182.6 million EUR and is the World Bank’s developmental policy tool. It is earmarked for budgetary support, continued reform and payment of public debt. The funds will be channelled into three areas: public expense management, improvement of financial sustainability of public energy enterprises and advancement of the efficiency of public transportation enterprises. The interest rate is 0.7% with a 20-year deadline, and it is planned to be paid in full in a single payment in 2036.

The Bill on the Confirmation of the Financing Agreement “Improvement of Judicial Facilities B” between the Republic of Serbia and the European Investment Bank worth 26 million EUR secures funds for the continued improvement of judicial facilities. The full loan is 41 million EUR of which 15 have been withdrawn so far for the reconstruction of the facility in Kataniceva Street to house judicial bodies, while these 26 million will be spent on the reconstruction of the Palace of Justice and construction of a new building for the Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime. This is a 25-year loan, with a 5 years grace period and fixed 1% interest rate.

Following the debate the Committee members accepted both bills by majority vote.

The sitting was attended by the following Committee members and deputy members: Olivera Pesic, Momo Colakovic, Srbislav Filipovic, Zoran Bojanic, Zoltan Pek, Dusan Bajatovic, Goran Kovacevic, Milan Lapcevic, Prof.Dr Milorad Mijatovic, Veroljub Arsic, Radmilo Kostic, Goran Ciric, Milorad Mircic and Djordje Kosanic.

The sitting was chaired by Committee Chairperson Dr Aleksandra Tomic.