Serbian government pledges funds for recyclers for last year

The government of Serbia will transfer RSD 1.9 billion (EUR 15.5 million) to the recycling industry. Contracts have been signed with 14 firms, which are entitled to financing according to processed documentation for last year, Snežana Bogosavljević Bošković, minister of agriculture and environmental protection of Serbia, said after the meeting with the representatives of the sector.

She reminded a set of laws regulating the field was passed in February, enabling the foundation of a budgetary Green Fund. The facility will be financed on ‘polluter pays’ principle, which is a step towards the establishment of a predictable model of business operation in recycling, the minister said. She added there is the possibility of cofinancing major infrastructural projects in the environmental sector. The recycling industry in Serbia employs 22,000 people in 2,000 businesses, the ministry’s statement said.

The Law on Waste Management was also amended with the aim to help economic development, provide continuity in the operation of facilities eligible for integrated permit and in the system of waste management financing.