Minister Mali: We can rescue or maintain, but the only solution for the economy is - a vaccine

Photo montage: Tanjug/Sava Radovanovic, Shutterstock

"People did lose their jobs in the previous period, but there are also newly created jobs. We avoided the darkest scenario. Now we need to be smart," said Minister of Finance Sinisa Mali.

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He told RTS that he does not expect massive consequences in the labor market, precisely because of the measures that have been implemented.

"If there is a vaccine - as the president of Serbia (Aleksandaar Vucic) announced yesterday, that is the most important solution - we can be rescuing and maintaining everything else. However, a vaccine is the only solution, both around the world and in our country. That is a fact," Mali pointed out.

The inflow from VAT is 10 percent higher

Mali also said that the budget for next year is being prepared, and that it will be ready in October.

"Currently a study is being done about the implemented measures. Now we know what the experiences are, we will see how each sector is affected. I'm hearing in recent days, 'it will be this way or that way' - but we need to take a comprehensive look," said Mali and revealed that VAT data has arrived, and that the total inflow is 51 billion dinars, "10 percent more than we expected."

"Excise taxes are paid on time, we have no problem with liquidity," he said.

When asked specifically whether there will be money for new measures, the minister replied that he must wait for all aspects to be considered, but that "of course we will support our economy."

"My wish is to prepare the budget for next year, the question of whether I will remain a minister is not up to me," he said when asked whether he will keep his job in the new government.

(Telegraf Biznis)