Serbia, IMF to discuss 2021 state budget Oct 5-16 - fin min

"We will have virtual meetings with the IMF to discuss the budget for 2021 and the coronavirus-related measures adopted by the government so far," Mali said in a video file posted on the YouTube channel of private broadcaster TV Prva.

Serbia does not intend to seek any funding from the IMF for the 2021 budget, which should be developmental but also ensure enough resources for social benefits, Mali added.

In July 2018, the IMF said it approved a 30-month Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI) for Serbia, a non-financial arrangement focused on implementing structural reforms, following the successful completion of a three-year stand-by agreement.

 While the immediate policy priorities have shifted to supporting the economy through the coronavirus crisis, the objectives of the PCI for Serbia  remain ambitious and appropriate and going forward it will be critical to containing fiscal risks including from troubled state-owned enterprises, the IMF said after completing the fourth review under the PCI last month.