EBRD interested in Telekom Srbija and Nikola Tesla Airport

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is interested in the privatization of Telekom Srbija and Nikola Tesla Airport, and the officials of this bank assess that the main challenges for the new Serbian government will be the privatization of public companies, fight against corruption and the development of infrastructure.

EBRD president Suma Chakrabarti told RTS on Thursday that Serbia had good prospects and that the bank would continue to invest in the country, Tanjug has reported.

- The challenges for the new government will be the privatization of public companies, the fight against corruption, and infrastructure development. We are interested in investing, especially in the privatization of public companies and in infrastructure - Chakrabarti said at EBRD headquarters in London.

Specifically, EBRD is interested in the privatization of Telekom Srbija and Nikola Tesla Airport.

Jean-Marc Peterschmitt, EBRD Managing Director for Central and South Eastern Europe, said that the possible privatization of Telekom would certainly attract a large number of bidders and the EBRD would also take part in the process.

- An arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and progress in the accession talks with the European Union, would certainly help win the confidence of new investors - said Peter Sanfey, Deputy Director of Country Strategy and Policy at the EBRD Office of the Chief Economist.

The bank's top officials have announced increasing investment in countries of South Eastern Europe, and the priorities here include increasing competitiveness of the private sector, the financial sector and investment in energy and infrastructure.

Serbia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government Kori Udovicki and EBRD Director for Serbia Matteo Patrone agreed during a meeting they had in Belgrade on Thursday that the forthcoming visit to the Serbian capital by the EBRD president was very important. Chakrabarti's meetings with Serbian officials in mid-May will focus on cooperation between the EBRD and the Serbian government.