Western Balkans Investment Framework to support large projects in Serbia in 2013

Yngve Engstrom, a representative of the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), said Tuesday (28 May 2013) that that initiative in Serbia in 2013 would focus on bigger investments aimed at connecting the region.

- The aim for this year is to focus on major investments that could connect the Balkans, such as road and railway corridors, as well as investments in the energy sector, gas and electricity transit in particular - Engstrom told Tanjug news agency.

According to him, such investments would also contribute to connecting the region with the EU.

He said earlier, at a conference where WBIF results were presented, that a total of 27 grants had been approved to Serbia to date, primarily for projects in the field of infrastructure, energy efficiency, private sector development, and environmental protection.

WBIF is a joint initiative of the European Commission, the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, the World Bank, the German Development Bank, and bilateral donors.