State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign and Internal Trade and Telecommunications Dragovan Milićević said today that according to the new law, trade is completely liberalized and there are no restrictions on the arrival of retail chains.

Milićević had a guest appearance at the Morning Program of “Pink” TV, where he indicated that, according to the statements of the German company “Lidl”, it can be expected that they will open their stores in Serbia by the end of the current year.

He recalled, however, that the total consumption is small, and that it makes a little over 5 billion euros annually across Serbia.

Milićević indicated that the average salary equals 44000 RSD, which is about 350 euros, but that two thirds of workers have a pay that is far below the average.

He noted that over the past six to seven years there was a decline in domestic product, while the market basket is within the standards.

“The market basket equals one salary and a half”, said Milićević adding that it equals about 60000 RSD per household.

Milićević pointed out that the average purchasing power is about 200 euros, per household, per month, for basic needs such as food, tobacco, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.