IMF ready to back Serbia up with financial arrangement

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is ready to back Serbia up with a financial arrangement and consulting services in order to help the country reduce its debt in the medium term, James Roaf, IMF representative for central and eastern Europe, said Tuesday.

- We are ready to provide support to Serbian authorities in whatever way they find appropriate. If they want advice, we can advise them, and if they are looking for a financial arrangement, we can work together on one - Roaf told Reuters.

According to him, economic growth in the region should be bigger next year, but there are still some substantial risks, including those stemming from the reduced debts of banks in Western Europe.

- We believe that almost all countries in the region will achieve a bigger growth next year thanks to the recovery in Western Europe - Roaf concluded.

Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic announced Tuesday, when presenting a set of economic measures at the government session, that the measures would be backed by the International Monetary Fund.

An IMF mission led by Zuzana Murgaosova ended its seven-day visit to Serbia on Monday.