NALED: State and industry working on new Program for Fighting Shadow Economy until 2030

At the initiative of the Serbian Ministry of Finance, the preparation of a new Program for Fighting the Shadow Economy until 2030 with an accompanying Action Plan has begun, and representatives of the state and industry are considering mechanisms for preserving a fair market despite the pressures of the global crisis, the National Alliance for Local Economic Development (NALED) announced.

Online trade and illegal construction in focus

Members of the Presidency of the NALED Fair Competition Alliance participated in the first meeting of the Expert Group for the Shadow Economy, where key priorities for the next reform cycle were reviewed, the statement said.

– The priorities of the new Program should be better coordination of institutions, more digitalization and application of artificial intelligence, administrative relief for the economy, e.g. through the reform of parafiscal charges. Special attention should be paid to the sectors with the highest risk of the shadow economy - online trade, undeclared work, seasonal sales and the gray zone in the digital environment – said the president of this Association, Zoran Daljevic.

He added that illegal construction was also one of the topics that should be addressed in this document.

All relevant ministries and institutions are involved in the preparation of the program, and according to the NALED statement, the new framework must connect the tax system, inspections, local governments and digital services into a more functional mechanism of control and prevention.

Cashless payments as a priority

Cashless payments must also have an important place in the new program, but, as stated, not only in the economy, but also in public administration and local governments.

The wider application of these models, as emphasized, contributes to greater transparency of cash flows, reduction of space for working in the gray zone and simpler procedures for citizens and the economy.

In addition to control and regulatory measures, participants also pointed out the need for stronger campaigns, education and promotional activities aimed at citizens, entrepreneurs and young people, in order to further raise awareness of the risks of informal business and the advantages of working in legal channels.

Through the projects “A Better Way” and “Innovations Against the Shadow Economy,” NALED will support the work of the Expert Group and contribute to the preparation of measures that should help the new Program in the coming years to bring visible results in fighting the shadow economy and creating fair business conditions.

Ministarstvo finansija Republike Srbije

NALED Beograd

Ministry of Finance of Serbia

National Alliance for Local Economic Development

NALED

Program for Fighting the Shadow Economy until 2030

NALED Fair Competition Alliance

Zoran Daljević

shadow economy