The Batajnica-Beska section, whose construction was funded from a €22.8 million European Investment Bank (EIB) loan, is expected to relieve Belgrade traffic congestion by 40 percent, Ilic said, noting that road signalization work has also been completed.
The Minister announced the start of the Batajnica loop construction, which he said will improve links between the Belgrade-Novi Sad and the Belgrade-Zagreb motorways.
On June 11, EIB is scheduled to approve a €45 million loan to help Serbia develop its small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector, Ilic went on to say, adding that the bank is also due to disburse a $25 million loan to help the government address water supply problems in Novi Sad and Nis.
The government has also asked EIB to grant it a further €50 million in lending to wrap up the construction of a new railway station in Belgrade, he added.
EIB Balkan Task Force Coordinator Massimo D’eufemia also attended the ceremony.