At a conference themed building institutional capacities in Serbian labour market, Ilic explained that this is an ambitious plan, but not impossible and that Serbia can make it through continuation of reforms and support from the EU.
According to him, the priorities of the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development are increase of employment and exports, completion of privatisation, upgrade of economic competitiveness, development of tourism and balanced regional development.
Through this project, the National Employment Service became a modern public service, user-oriented both for unemployed persons and employers, he explained.
Swedish Ambassador to Serbia Krister Bringeus said that unemployment rate in Serbia is very high and this problem must be tackled through cooperation of the government of Serbia and international institutions.
I believe that EU represents Serbia’s future, Bringeus said and added that the country’s economic development is crucial for further overall progress.
The project of building institutional capacities in Serbian labour market was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) with €1.7 million. The project implementation started on May 31, 2004 and will end on December 31, 2007.
Pilot projects were implemented in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Sabac.