Assistant Minister of Finance Natasa Kovacevic briefly outlined the Bill for the MPs, stressing that the most important amendments concern changes in the items subject to excise tax i.e. expansion of the list of items liable to excise duties. Excise duty for electric power was set at 7.5%, with electric power consumed being used as the base. The new law will start being enforced from 1 August, that it first payment will be due in September, and the calculation and payment will be regulated by a by-law, said Kovacevic. The excise tax on electronic cigarette liquid was set at 4 RSD per millilitre, while cigarettes and alcoholic beverages imported to be sold at diplomatic missions and consulates do not require excise stamps.

The Committee members had questions about the nominal amount of the increase in price of electric power, how this was calculated and harmonisation with EU directives concerning the introduction of excise duties on electric power.

After the debate, the Committee accepted the Bill amending and modifying the Excise Tax Law, in principle, by majority vote.

The Committee members also decided to authorise the Working Group for the Introduction and Development of the Public Finance Supervision Portal for the realisation of the Portal project, also obliging it to keep the Committee duly informed on its activities.

The sitting was chaired by Committee Chairman Veroljub Arsic.