Serbian Minister of Finance Mladjan Dinkic said that 11 banks placed bids for the privatisation of Jubanka, eight of which has great chances to enter the second round of the privatisation tender. These are the leading banks from Austria, Italy, France, Greece, Hungary, Slovenia and the United States. Their interest for Jubanka is a proof that Serbia's banking sector has become very attractive to foreign investors, who estimate that Serbia will experience large economic growth in years to come, said Dinkic.
The tender for privatisation of Jubanka was announced on June 19. The final list of those who will enter the second round of the tender will be released on June 25, because the National Bank of Serbia is currently investigating the solvency of the bidders.
Dinkic told a press conference today that two Austrian banks participated in the tender. One of them is the largest bank in Austria, which is still not present on the Serbian market.
Dinkic said that the interest of leading foreign banks in Jubanka proves that many positive changes in the Serbian banking system has been made in the past three years.