Mali: Serbian finances stable, inflation declining

BELGRADE - Serbia's public finances are stable, inflation is declining, there is around 453 bln dinars in the state coffers and the government is meeting all obligations in a timely manner, Serbian Finance Minister Sinisa Mali said on Thursday.

In an appearance on the RTS, Mali said a change of the way the natural gas price was calculated for businesses had been agreed with the IMF to help the economy, raise salaries and create jobs.

He said discussions with an IMF mission had also addressed a potential increase of pensions after a cumulative "56 pct increase in the past two years."

He said it was very important that inflation was declining and that it would be at 3+/−1.5 pct in May.

(1 euro = 117.17 dinars)