Mali: We are looking for solution for NIS, maybe this is chance for even quicker growth

WASHINGTON - Serbian First Deputy PM and Finance Minister Sinisa Mali said on Thursday the operations of Serbia's Russian-majority owned oil company NIS were surrounded by a great deal of uncertainty but that he believed that, even though the matter was a major problem right now, it could be an opportunity for even quicker growth and greater investments in Serbia's energy sector.

"During the day, we will have discussions with a large number of investors in our government securities, and I expect that to be an issue," Mali told reporters in Washington, where he is attending the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings.

He recalled that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic had met with Gazprom neft executives in Belgrade on Monday and that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had been on a visit to Serbia on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"So, we are looking to find the best solution. Interestingly, I said it is a big problem, but in a way, it might also be a chance for even quicker growth and development and greater investment in our energy sector, which would enable higher growth rates in the future," Mali said.

On the first day of a working visit to Washington, Mali met with the director of the IMF's European Department Alfred Kammer and IMF Deputy Managing Director Bo Li.