Mali meets with AIIB president

BELGRADE - Serbian Finance Minister Sinisa Mali met with Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) President Jin Liqun on Wednesday to inform him of Serbia's macroeconomic performance, noting that the country was the region's dominant economy.

Mali, who is Serbia's governor at AIIB, discussed with Jin the economic situation in Serbia and globally, as well as cooperation, the Ministry of Finance said in a statement.

Serbia remained stable both during the coronavirus-induced crisis and the subsequent energy crisis, and its economy continues to grow, Mali said.

He said Serbia had registered a FDI inflow of 4.4 bln euros in 2022 and that its unemployment rate was at an all-time low, as well as that the country's debt-to-GDP ratio was 51.4 pct, far below the European average.

Jin said he was impressed with the results achieved by Serbia and added that the country was on the right track.

Mali noted that the Serbian government had made a strategic commitment to invest in infrastructure, green energy and the IT industry, as well as in people, by investing in education while maintaining fiscal stability.

The parties discussed future cooperation, with emphasis on infrastructure projects that would connect countries in the region, as well as on sustainable development and energy projects.

They agreed that cooperation would be a good signal and that such projects could contribute to better living standards and stronger ties with the Asian continent.

Mali said Serbia remained committed to the Belt and Road initiative.

He noted that Serbia maintained excellent cooperation with China, above all, thanks to close ties between the presidents of the two countries, and that Serbia's top three exporters were Chinese-owned companies.

Mali added that a FTA with China was under preparation and that it would contribute further to even closer cooperation.