In the first 10 months of this year retail sales increased in Serbia by about four per cent compared to the same period last year, said the Minister of Trade Rasim Ljajić, noting that these are encouraging results, and that there is no economic reason for drastic price increases, especially not for basic foodstuffs.
“Statistics show that the purchasing power of the population is only slightly higher than in the same period last year, but it is interesting that in the first 10 months of this year, retail sales increased by about four percent,” said Ljajić.
According to him, if we compare October this year and October of last year a growth in revenue growth from retail turnover of about 2.6 percent can be found, “These are encouraging indicators taking into account the overall economic situation.”
Ljajić said for RTS that the State cannot regulate the prices and the market, but that there is no economic logic “for drastic price increases”, especially not of basic foodstuffs.
Five reasons support this claim, said Ljajić: there was no increase in the price of electricity, the price of fuel is cheaper by about 16 RSD since the beginning of November and NIS lowered the price of fuel nine times, this was a good agricultural year and EU countries are looking for new markets, as it cannot export to Russia.
“We need to protect the manufacturers, but that is good for consumers,” said Ljajić.
He said that the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications has provided a total of 2.5 billion RSD for infrastructure in tourism in 2015.
Ljajić urged all local self-governments to apply for obtaining a part of these funds.
He stressed that Serbia can position itself as a major tourist destination and that we can achieve significant revenue.
We are the only country in Europe that has a steady double-digit growth in the number of foreign tourists, said Ljajić, adding that the growth in 2014 will be a growth of 12.4 percent, which is more than 900,000 foreign tourists.
“The inflow of foreign currency will exceed 1.1 billion euros, but that is the not enough, taking into account the possibilities,” added Ljajić.
