Tim za socijalno uključivanje i smanjenje siromaštva

Improving the efficiency and transparency of administration in local self-governments is a basic precondition for attracting foreign investments and the recovery of the economy of Serbia, assessed the participants of the conference on improving the work of municipal administrations held on 23 June. The project of improving the business environment implemented in 16 municipalities in Serbia showed that through simplified procedures and reduced documentation in those local self-governments, annual savings of around 22 million euros are possible. During the project, 61 new models of administrative procedures in the field of local economic development, urban planning, taxes, environmental protection and property-legal relations have been designed, the participants said.

State secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Administration Ivan Bošnjak noted that Serbia must improve the workings of the administration and the local level both because of existing, as well as potential investors.

“Improving administrative procedures is part of the market game, while simultaneously it is expected that the administration will not make life difficult to businesses or citizens”, he said at the conference organized by the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SKGO) and the Centre for Good Governance Optimus, presenting the results of the just finished “Project of Improving the Business Environment through Regulatory Reform”.

The general secretary of SKGO Đorđe Staničić said that the goal of the project, completed in cooperation with Optimus and with the financial assistance of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, is assistance to citizens and businesses in order for the local administration to serve them in the simplest, cheapest and most transparent way.

As assessed, the project implemented in Vladičin Han, Bajina Bašta, Knjaževac, Ivanjica, Kanjiža, Vlasotince, Kovin, Ćuprija, Bečej, Tutin, Novi Pazar, Kraljevo, Leskovac, Loznica, Sombor and Gornji Milanovac, will enable savings of around 22 million euros per year due to the simplification of procedures, reduction of time for issuing permits, approvals and decisions, abolishing documentation and reducing fees and reimbursements.

During the project 61 new models of administrative procedures have been developed in the field of local economic development, urban planning, taxes, environmental protection, property-legal relations, to be available on the SKGO website.

The deputy director of the Swiss Office for Cooperation in Serbia Gabriela Schafroth said the project of simplifying administrative procedures in 16 local self-governments enabled savings for companies in expenses and time spent waiting. According to her, this will make potential investors aim for local self-governments with the best conditions for business.

Source: Beta, taken from www.euractiv.rs