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USAID’S BUSINESS ENABLING PROJECT QUARTERLY REPORT: FOURTH QUARTER 2014
January 10, 2015
This report is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this report are the sole responsibility of Cardno Emerging Markets USA, Ltd. and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
USAID’S BUSINESS ENABLING PROJECT QUARTERLY REPORT: FOURTH QUARTER 2014
Submitted by:
Cardno Emerging Markets USA, Ltd. Submitted to:
USAID Serbia Contract No.:
169-C-00-11-00001-0
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROJECT OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................... 1
HIGHLIGHTS DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD .......................................................................... 2
REVIEW OF PROJECT PROGRESS ................................................................................................ 4
ADMINISTRATIVE AND GENERAL ACTIVITIES ............................................................................................ 4
COMPONENT 1 .................................................................................................................................... 5
COMPONENT 2 .................................................................................................................................. 12
COMPONENT 3 .................................................................................................................................. 15
PUBLIC SECTOR CAPACITY BUILDING INITIATIVES .................................................................................. 19
OUTREACH ....................................................................................................................................... 20
GRANTS ........................................................................................................................................... 21
FINANCIAL REVIEW ............................................................................................................................. 25
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES ....................................................................................................................... 25
COMPONENT 1 .................................................................................................................................. 25
COMPONENT 2 .................................................................................................................................. 26
COMPONENT 3 .................................................................................................................................. 26
ATTACHMENT 1: BEP WORK ORGANIZATION ........................................................................... 28
ATTACHMENT 2: LIST OF MEDIA PUBLICATIONS ...................................................................... 29
ATTACHMENT 3: PROGRESS VERSUS WORKPLAN .................................................................. 42
COMPONENT 1: BUSINESS REGULATION AND ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE .................................................................... 42
COMPONENT 2: MACROECONOMIC POLICY AND PUBLIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT ....................................................... 52
COMPONENT 3: FINANCIAL MARKET DEVELOPMENT ........................................................................................... 57
ATTACHMENT 4: PROGRESS VERSUS PERFORMANCE MONITORING PLAN ......................... 64
ATTACHMENT 5: BEP GRANTS UPDATE .................................................................................... 75
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 1
GoS Partners
BEP works in partnership with the following GoS institutions under joint work plans and action plans:
■ Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management
■ Ministry of Construction and Urbanism ■ Ministry of Finance ■ Ministry of Economy ■ Ministry of Foreign and Internal Trade
and Telecommunications ■ Ministry of Labor, Employment and
Social Policy ■ Ministry of Justice and Public
Administration ■ Public Debt Administration ■ Office for Regulatory Reform and
Regulatory Impact Assessment ■ Securities Commission
■ Fiscal Council (independent body)
PROJECT OVERVIEW
USAID’s Business Enabling Project, implemented by Cardno Emerging Markets USA, is a five-year
initiative launched in January 2011. The Project is helping the Government of Serbia (GoS) improve
the competitiveness of the Serbian economy and its private sector businesses. The Project provides
technical assistance, training, and other support to improve the business enabling environment, maintain macroeconomic stability, and further develop financial markets. The Project is demand
driven: all activities are based on the priorities of the private sector and GoS.
The Business Enabling Project (BEP) consists of three major components:
Component 1, Business Regulation and Economic Governance, streamlines laws, regulations, and
institutions; improves regulators’ capacity to implement
laws; and improves analysis and public-private
dialogue.
Component 2, Macroeconomic Policy and Public Financial Management, helps the Government
implement new budget and fiscal responsibility laws, improve budgeting, increase public disclosure and
transparency, strengthen public debt management, and
improve economic analysis and forecasting.
Component 3, Financial Market Development, improves regulatory frameworks for non-bank
institutions, develops capacity to strengthen and expand capital markets, and improves conditions for debt
market development.
The project’s approach to achieving reforms is to help the GoS work closely with the private sector and outside
experts to make reforms that improve business competitiveness. The reforms reduce the time and
money spent by Serbian businesses to comply with laws and regulations and help the GoS to be more
efficient. The reforms also enable businesses to attract necessary investment at an appropriate cost. As result, Serbian businesses have a better chance to be competitive in the global economy, leading to
export-led economic growth and increased employment.
BEP uses a 19 person staff (18 Serbians, one expatriate), substantial Serbian and expatriate medium and short term advisors, four interns, and a grants fund to provide technical assistance to GoS and
other counterparts.
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 2
HIGHLIGHTS DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD
This report covers the thirteenth quarter of BEP’s operation – October 1 to December 31, 2014. We
want to highlight the following noteworthy activities during the period:
The Government of Serbia (GoS) Implemented Program Budgeting in the 2015 Budget. On
December 25, National Assembly adopted the 2015 Budget Bill, which introduces the program
budgeting model for all direct budget beneficiaries. Minister of Finance Dusan Vujovic has said this Bill for the first time provides for full transparency of all transactions. With assistance provided by
BEP, in February 2014 the Ministry of Finance (MoF) issued a Program Budget Methodology that has
provided a set of guidelines to budget
beneficiaries for establishing financial plans, program activities, and projects. Over the last
year, BEP and MoF have conducted
comprehensive training of civil servants on program budget concepts and performance
indicators. The introduction of program
budgeting is an important milestone for improved policy planning, prioritization, and coordination
of the Government, as it provides a uniformed
framework for assessing the costs of policy
initiatives, and their relevance to the strategic goals of the Government.
Parliament Adopted the Law on Planning and Construction. The law was approved by the
Government on November 27, and was officially adopted by the Parliament on December 8 with 154 members of parliament voting in favor, one against, and four abstentions, making it one of the rare
pieces of legislation to receive support from most opposition MPs. USAID BEP worked intensively
with the Ministry of Construction, Transportation and Infrastructure to complete the law, along with a
regulatory impact assessment and all other required analyses and documents required for approval by the Government. The law will significantly lessen the time and expense involved in obtaining
construction permits. The law provides for One-Stop-Shops, which will allow investors to
communicate with only one government office, instead of being required to contact dozens of government institutions and public enterprises, as is the case now. The Law also introduces an entirely
new accountability mechanism: the One-Stop-Shops have authority to monitor compliance of public
institutions with legal requirements, particularly statutory deadlines.
Draft Law on Inspection Oversight Completed. During the fourth quarter of 2014, BEP helped the
GoS finalize this key legislation. BEP helped incorporate comments and suggestions from public
consultations and government consultations into the final draft, developed key bylaws, prepared the
regulatory impact assessments, and participated in final deliberations on key aspects of the legislation such as the constitution of the coordination body. At the Foreign Investors Council’s presentation of
its 2014 White Book, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State Administration and Local
Government Kori Udovički, confirmed that the Draft Law on Inspection Oversight would enter Parliamentary procedure by the end of 2014. Ms Udovički explained that the Draft Law, drafts of key
bylaws, and implementation plan - developed jointly by BEP and the Government of Serbia – would
be submitted as a single regulatory package. Although the draft law is finished and is ready for submission, it was not submitted before the end of the quarter because the Ministry of Finance is
reconsidering its position that the law should not apply to Tax Inspections.
BEP Continued Property Valuation Reform. BEP continued its work to improve the quality and
reliability of property valuation, aiming to help increase availability and reduce cost of finance. In November and December, BEP participated in meetings of the Property Valuation Reform Working
Group established by the Ministry of Finance. The BEP team prepared the draft National Standards
for Property Valuation, and the draft Valuers Law.
BEP helps Increase Access to Finance by Improving Financial Qualifications of Firms. BEP
Minister Vujovic Explains Budget in National Assembly
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 3
implemented a program entitled “Role of Good Accountant in Access to Finance for SMEs” under a
grant to the Academy for Banking and Finance (ABF). The program includes interactive training for SMEs, and ABF prepared publicly available distance learning video training sessions and a manual.
The manual contains explanations, case studies, as well as short videos that illustrate, additionally
explain, and enhance lessons on how a good accountant adds value to a firm and improves its access
to finance.
The National Assembly Adopted Amendments to the Investment Funds Law that BEP helped
draft. Amendments to the Investment Funds Law were adopted by the National Assembly on
October 23. BEP provided comments and revised provisions for the amended law, and prepared a transposition table that shows the level of compliance with relevant EU Directives. The amendments
are another step in aligning national legislation with the EU law (UCITS Directive, 2009/65/EC) in
accordance with the Serbia 2014 Progress Report and the National Action Plan for Fulfillment of EC Recommendations.
BEP Annual Survey Shows Slightly Improved Business Environment. BEP’s fourth annual
survey of 1,000 Serbian businesses found that Serbian executives believe the business environment in
Serbia improved slightly during 2014, though lengthy and expensive regulatory procedures and reduced bank finance continue to harm their companies' competitiveness. Introducing the report,
Ambassador Michael D. Kirby noted some positive
findings: about 17 percent of businesses in the last two years reported that corruption has a large impact on their
business, down from 41 percent in 2011 and 33 percent
in 2012. Ambassador Kirby also highlighted the reduced burden of dealing with inspections. Respondents said that
the time their businesses dedicated to inspections
dropped to an average of 12 hours in 2014 from 70 hours
in 2011, and that the number of inspectors’ visits continued to drop, averaging 1.6 visits in 2014, compared
with 6 visits in 2011.
BEP Promoted Non-Bank Financial Institutions as a Solution to SMEs' Lack of Finance. USAID BEP has been promoting legislation that would allow non-deposit taking, non-bank financial
institutions (NBFIs) to provide such finance in Serbia (currently there is no legislation that would
allow them to enter the market). During the quarter, USAID BEP continued to publicize its Report on
Market Impact Assessment of Introduction of NDMFIs in Serbia, which shows that hundreds of millions of Euros would be mobilized as microfinance if legislation would be enacted to enable
microfinance in Serbia.
BEP Promoted its Government Internship Program as a Way to Hire Talented Public Servants. On September 17, USAID BEP and its grantee Belgrade Open School (BOS) presented the results of
the pilot internship program in the Government of Serbia during the conference "Challenges in Public
Administration Reform and Employment of Young Professionals in Serbia”. Kori Udovicki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, Ambassador
Michael Kirby, Nenad Borovcanin, State Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Dusan Protic,
Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications, Srdjan Majstorovic,
Deputy Director of the European Integration Office, Milorad Bjeletic, Executive Director of the Belgrade Open School and Joe Lowther, USAID BEP’s Chief of Party gave introductory speeches.
Ambassador Kirby stated that internship programs in governmental institutions are vital for the future
of public administration. GoS internships are possible under current law and BEP is preparing guidance for GoS internship programs. Internships are also provided for in the GoS draft Public
Administration Reform Strategy.
BEP 2014 Survey Event
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 4
REVIEW OF PROJECT PROGRESS
Administrative and General Activities
The Annual BEP Business Survey showed some improvement in the business environment.
BEP’S fourth annual survey of 1,000 Serbian businesses found that Serbian executives believe the business environment in Serbia improved slightly during 2014, though lengthy and expensive
regulatory procedures and reduced bank finance continue to harm their companies' competitiveness.
The survey report showed some positive findings: about 17 percent of businesses in the last two years reported that corruption has a large impact on their business, down from 41 percent in 2011 and 33
percent in 2012. There was a also a reduced burden to business of dealing with inspections:
respondents said that the time their businesses dedicated to inspections dropped to an average of 12 hours in 2014 from 70 hours in 2011, and that number of inspectors’ visits continued to drop,
averaging 1.6 visits in 2014, compared with 6 visits in 2011. But respondents also said they
continued to face the same problems as in previous years in critical areas such as para-fiscal charges,
wage taxes and contributions, VAT, exchange rate volatility, tax administration, and administrative procedures. It is clear that Serbian businesses lack access to adequate financial products that would
allow them to expand. The survey results show that 65 percent of the companies do not use use any
external source of finance – not banks, not even family and friends. Even those that do borrow from external sources use banks for only 25 percent of their finance, with most finance still coming from
their own funds. Business executives complained of several obstacles to borrowing: 91 percent said
high interest rates and fees stymied borrowing and 77 percent cited collateral requirements. The survey also found that just 8 percent of Serbian companies’ products or services are exported.
Looking ahead, businesses continue to be more and more optimistic about the future. During the last
three years we have seen increases in the percentage of businesses that expect to make profits (from
34 percent in 2012, to 43 percent in 2014) and that plan to hire more workers (from 19 percent in 2012, to 26 percent in 2014).
BEP participated in a three-day local economic development workshop organized by the USAID
Sustainable Local Development Project (SLDP) in Nis. On November 17 to 20, a total of 26 representatives of 18 local economic development offices attended a three-day workshop entitled
“Legal Framework for Support to Local Private Sector and Investors.” On the first day of this event,
BEP presented construction permitting reforms and the new Law on Planning and Construction. On
the second day of the workshop, BEP presented its activities aimed at fostering financial market development, including the creation of a regulatory framework for non-banking, non-deposit-taking
financial institutions; recommendations for enhancing leasing regulation; improvement of real estate
valuation; and proposals to resolve issues related to enforcement of judgments that affect SME access to finance. Apart from these presentations, officers of Jubmes Factor and Societe Generale Factoring
presented the Law on Factoring and the various models of factoring available in the market. BEP also
provided educational materials for dissemination to businesses in local communities. The participants assessed the presentations as very useful.
BEP met the Minister of Economy to discuss further cooperation. On November 14, BEP met
with Zeljko Sertic, Minister of Economy to discuss next steps in joint cooperation areas: adoption of
SMEs strategy, redesign of the state aid, and decreasing regulatory burdens. Minister Sertic informed us that MoE is preparing the Law on Investment that will address some of the state-aid related issues,
mainly institutional set-up, and that they will send the draft law to BEP for comments and review. He
also stated that the SMEs Action Plan will be adopted, and the SMEs Council established by the end of this year. Minister Sertic is ready to take leadership in advocating for the reforms necessary to
foster SMEs growth, and to closely monitor the implementation of the Action Plan. BEP and MoE
will have a series of additional meetings to structure their joint activities in 2015.
BEP participated in World Trading Organization’s (WTO) Self-Assessment of needs and
priorities for Serbia. The purpose of this three day seminar was to assess the current level of
Serbia’s compliance with the WTO Trade Facilitation agreement and to determine what measures
should be implemented. Participants from the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunication, Customs Administration, USAID, IFC, and the private sector identified possible problems and defined
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 5
future steps towards implementation of the Trade Facilitation agreement. Stevan Nikcevic, State
Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunication, Dusko Marinkovic, Assistant to director of Customs Administration, Susan Kutor, USAID Economic Growth Office director, Violane
Konar-Leacy, Project manager at IFC Western Balkans Trade Logistics Project made the opening
remarks. Mr. Paul Fekete, USAID Washington Senior International Trade Advisor, presented the
Trade Facilitation agreement and its possible benefits if implemented. He also presented technical measures, special treatment, possible difficulties and next steps in the implementation of the
agreement. Serbia is overall substantially compliant with the measures, but still needs to work on
some minor changes. These are the issues that require further attention and coordination: Forming National Trade Facilitation Committee, Single Window, Perishable Goods, Expedited Shipments, and
Enquiry Points. The analysis shows that most of these measures can be implemented within one year
and the biggest challenges are procedures and human resources.
Component 1
Under Objective 1, Task 1, "Improve Inspections Operations and Organization," during the
quarter BEP helped the Ministry of State Administration and Local Government (MoSALG) complete
the Draft Law on Inspection Oversight. Although Minister of State Administration and Local Government Kori Udovicki stated that the Law would be enacted by December 31, the Law has not
yet been adopted by the GoS and sent to the National Assembly.
But the Law is finished, and several major activities by BEP contributed to finishing the draft law in a
participatory and evidence-based process:
■ On October 9-11, BEP and the Ministry of State Administration and Local Government
(MoSALG) organized a retreat to analyze comments and suggestions on the Draft Law on
Inspection Oversight obtained through public consultations and to finalize the drafting of this piece of legislation. The retreat gathered members of the core Working Group (MoSALG,
Government Legislation Secretariat and BEP), representatives of Sanitary, Veterinary and Plant
Protection Inspections), and officials of the National Public Policy Secretariat and Transparency
Serbia. The participants analyzed the comments and suggestions related to the Draft Law, prepared answers for stakeholders who provided input, and modified the Draft Law’s provisions
in accordance with the suggestions and inputs. Most of the comments were related to the
inspections coordination mechanism, role of the umbrella law versus sectoral legislation, and definitions of key concepts.
■ Subsequently BEP, the MoSALG, and the Government Secretariat for Legislation amended the Draft Law on Inspection Oversight to reflect the comments and input received during public and
expert consultations. To support the Draft Law submission, BEP developed a paper providing the
rationale for inspection reform and explaining the proposed features of the Draft Law, and the Statement of Harmonization with EU regulations for the Draft Law. In parallel, BEP experts also
completed the Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Draft Law that sets out its relationship with
the broader legislative framework. BEP and MoSALG also prepared answers and explanations to be provided to the various stakeholders that participated in public discussions, including an
overview of the latest changes made due to stakeholder input.
■ On November 14, BEP and the rest of the core Working Group tasked with drafting the Law on
Inspection Oversight met with Kori Udovički, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State
Administration and Local Government, to discuss inspection coordination. The core Working Group and Deputy Prime Minister Udovicki discussed the outstanding issues regarding inspection
coordination, particularly the scope and range of powers to be assigned to the future Coordination
Commission, guidelines it will adopt, its decision-making process, and technical and
administrative support to the Commission, as well as oversight of implementation of the Law on Inspection Oversight and the role of the Administrative Inspection. As a follow-up, BEP experts
revised the relevant provisions of the Draft Law and delivered it to the MoSALG.
■ On November 19, at the Foreign Investors Council’s presentation of its 2014 White Book, Ms.
Kori Udovički, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State Administration and Local
Government, confirmed that the Draft Law on Inspection Oversight would enter Parliamentary
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 6
procedure by the end of 2014. Ms Udovički explained that the Draft Law, drafts of key bylaws,
and implementation plan - developed jointly by BEP and government authorities and aligned with good regulatory practice – would be submitted as a single regulatory package. She also
underlined the importance of inspection coordination, and reiterated that the Government of
Serbia was determined to tackle the shadow economy, adding that the Draft Law incorporated the
tools to address both of these priorities.
■ On November 26, the Ministry of State Administration and Local Government (MoSALG) delivered the legislative package, consisting of the Draft Law on Inspection Oversight and
ancillary documents, to ministries and other public institutions for comments. In addition, the
MoSALG delivered the Draft Law and the associated Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) to the
Public Policy Secretariat for regulatory quality control, and provided the Draft Law and the Statement on Harmonization with EU regulations to the Serbian Office for European Integration,
which should assess whether the Draft Law complies with EU legislation.
■ BEP subsequently helped the MoSALG incorporate opinions of government institutions in the
Draft Law. BEP and the rest of the core Working Group analyzed the opinions of ministries and
other public institutions to align the draft Law with this feedback or provide arguments if the opinions submitted cannot be applied to the draft. The majority of opinions were positive, or
have, conversely, contained only comments focusing on technical law-drafting issues. The core
Working Group has accepted a number of opinions and incorporated them into the draft Law.
■ On December 23, the key stakeholders held the final round of consultations about features of the
Law on Inspection Oversight. This meeting was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State Administration and Local Self-Government Kori Udovički, and State Secretary
in the Ministry of State Administration and Local Government (MoSALG) Vidosava Džagić,
representatives of leading Serbian business associations, and USAID BEP staff serving on the Inspection Oversight Law Working Group. The focus of the discussions was coordination of
inspection oversight with aim of ensuring effective implementation of advanced inspection
standards and features envisaged in the Draft Law. This discussion revealed some of businesses’
concern and the business associations had an opportunity to better understand the content and effects of the Draft Law’s provisions. The participants agreed that applicability of these
regulations on all inspections, as envisaged in the Draft Law, was a prerequisite for creating a
systemic and sustainable framework for tackling the shadow economy. The attendees concluded that business associations should take an active role in further advocating the adoption of this
Law, drafting the requisite by-laws, and ensuring regular exchange of opinions with the regulator.
■ BEP is now in the second phase of harmonizing the Draft Law with the positions of the Ministry
of Finance (MoF), which believes the Law should not apply to the Tax Inspection. The original
draft was initially amended to reflect the first set of the MoF’s comments; however, the MoF then asked for more time to review the resulting provisions. Following this review the MoF reiterated
its request to have the Tax Inspection excluded from the application of the Law. These
disagreements are the reason why the Law is yet to be presented to the Government. The core Working Group and business associations believe that the Law must apply to all inspection bodies
without exception. The Ministry has met the Minister of Finance to discuss this issue; the
Minister will give his feedback and notify us of the official position of the MoF after the
Christmas holiday.
BEP also supported preparation for implementation of the Law on Inspection Oversight. BEP developed bylaws, e-inspections, and means to implement the Draft Law on Inspection Oversight.
BEP prepared the Draft Regulation on Risk Assessment in Inspection Oversight, Draft Decision on
the Inspection Coordination Commission and the Draft Rulebook on Inspection Report (Minutes).
BEP also worked on the Draft Rulebook governing inspector examinations, and this work continues. BEP also developed a paper on topics and issues that should be covered in inspector training,
including: basic concepts of the Law on Inspection Oversight; need to plan for inspection oversight,
discretionary powers of inspectors; and developing and upgrading inspectors’ “soft skills.” BEP's IT experts continued to work with Directorate for E-Government and inspectorates to develop the
processes for the new e-inspections system. BEP also met with the USAID Macedonia IDEAS team
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 7
to share relevant information and explore possibilities for joint activities in inspections reform
(USAID Macedonia IDEAS will soon begin providing support to the Macedonian Inspection Council, and the teams will continue to share experiences, lessons learned, and advice on how to achieve
effective inspections coordination).
In addition, BEP and Ministry of State Administration and Local Government (MoSALG) developed
an Action Plan to Implement Law on Inspection Oversight. BEP and the MoSALG developed an
Action Plan to ensure high-quality implementation of legal, procedural, and institutional reforms envisaged in the draft Law on Inspection Oversight. In developing the Action Plan, BEP and senior
MoSALG officials consulted the Republic Secretariat for Public Policies, the Directorate for E-
Government, and inspectorates. The Draft Action Plan includes a number of activities grouped under
five tasks: 1) Development and adoption of bylaws and other documents needed to implement the law, and public outreach on the new legislation; 2) Establishing a coordination mechanism and
building capacities of the Coordination Commission; 3) Establishing and maintaining the e-
Inspections system; 4) Establishing a system of continuous training and professional education of inspectors; and 5) Providing infrastructure and improving working conditions for inspection bodies.
The MoSALG will submit the Action Plan along with the Draft Law to the Government of Serbia and
the Serbian National Assembly for adoption.
BEP also organized a study tour to the State Inspectorate of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Republic of Srpska. BEP, in cooperation with the Ministry of State Administration and Local Government
(MoSALG) and the Directorate for e-Government, organized a study tour to the State Inspectorate of
the BiH Republic of Srpska. The study tour, entitled “E-Inspection Training Program for Effective Inspections,” took place in Banja Luka from December 21 to 23. The participants were the MoSALG
State Secretary, Head of the Directorate for e-Government, officials of the Ministry of Labor,
Employment, Veterans’ and Social Issues, and staff of the Administrative, Market, Labor, Construction and Sanitary Inspectorates. Through presentations, discussions and consultations with
the management and experts of the Republic of Srpska State Inspectorate, the participants had an
opportunity to gain first-hand experience with the legal and institutional framework for inspection
oversight in the Republic of Srpska. The training included a detailed presentation of the Inspection
Management System and its features and
functionalities. Participants also had an opportunity to learn about challenges the authorities faced while
developing the Inspection Management System and
the possible solutions to these problems, and the procedures and responsibilities involved in properly
establishing and maintaining such a system. As a
result, the participants gained insight and obtained
advice on how to set up Serbia’s complex e-
inspection system.
Under Objective 1, Task 2, "Remove or reduce quasi fiscal burdens to businesses," BEP and National Alliance for Local Economic Development (NALED) presented recommendations for
continuing the reform of para-fiscal charges. On October 8, BEP and NALED presented a report
entitled “Five Steps for Reforming Para-Fiscal Charges”, containing the key findings of a
comprehensive analysis of the reform of non-tax and para-fiscal fees and charges, and recommendations for its continuation and consistent implementation. In the course of 2011 and 2012
BEP analyzed 370 fees and charges, based on which the Ministry of Finance abolished 138. But
businesses still perceive para-fiscal fees and charges as a major obstacle to doing business. Thus USAID and NALED under a grant developed a set of recommendations for reforming para-fiscal
charges in five steps that include data, examples, provisions and proposals for regulatory and
implementing solutions. The proposed steps are: 1. eliminating double payments; 2. setting fees in proportion to the price of services provided; 3. eliminating any fees and charges not resulting from the
provision of services or goods; 4. redesigning the local government financing system to detach local
authorities’ income from para-fiscal charges and fees; and 5. modifying relevant regulations to
BEP Study Tour to Banja Luka
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 8
achieve predictability and transparency of
non-tax financial burdens. BEP and NALED pointed out that little has been
accomplished in the last two years in
dealing with para-fiscal fees and charges –
despite the fact that eliminating them would both help business competitiveness
and government budgeting – and
emphasized the lack of capacity at the Ministry of Finance to continue with this
important reform. The Registry of para-
fiscal charges will be submitted to the Ministry of Finance, and NALED will
regularly inform its members and partners on the progress in this field.
Under Objective 1, Task 3, "Streamline Construction Permitting," the Serbian Parliament enacted
the Law on Planning and Construction after months of intensive effort by BEP. The Law Amending the Law on Planning and Construction was adopted with 154 members of parliament voting in favor,
one against, and four abstentions, making it one of the rare pieces of legislation to receive support
from most opposition MPs. This outcome is the result of the Working Group that drafted the Law –which included BEP – engaging in diligent and impartial review of stakeholders and amendments
submitted by MPs. The Working Group proposed the adoption of all amendments that fit within the
concept of the reformed Law, regardless of who submitted them. BEP and NALED also worked with members of the Economic Caucus in the Parliament to propose additional amendments – all of which
were later adopted by the legislature. The enactment of the Law Amending the Law on Planning and
Construction received wide media coverage, and is widely regarded as a major opportunity for the
Serbian economy, especially the construction industry. Highlights of the new legislation include the shortening of permitting procedures, and introduction of One-Stop-Shops.
Development of this legislation was a lengthy process that started with BEP’s groundbreaking 2012
analysis of the state of construction permitting. The process was extremely challenging but also extremely inclusive, with stakeholders in the government, construction businesses, various
professions, and the wider business community and general public being consulted and having
repeated opportunities to have dialogue on the draft law. During the fourth quarter of 2014, the
following key events took place:
■ BEP organized two retreats to facilitate completion of the Draft Law on Planning and
Construction (LPC). The first one was held from 9-11 October in Vrsac and 15-17 October in
Novi Sad. Members of the Working Group tasked with amending the LPC made a decisive step towards completion of the final Draft to be submitted to the Government at a retreat organized by
BEP in Novi Sad. The Novi Sad meeting took as its starting point BEP’s overview of a number
of comments to the Draft made during the September public consultations, as well as of opinions of Government ministries and public agencies. As a result of the retreat, the Draft was nearly
finalized.
■ The Working Group then completed the Draft LPC and submitted the draft to Zorana Mihajlovic,
Minister and Deputy Prime Minister on Friday November 7.
■ The MCTI then initiated the second Inter-Ministerial Review of Amendments to the LPC. Acting
on BEP ’s advice, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Construction, Transportation and
Infrastructure Mihajlovic also signed a decision establishing the Working Group tasked with drafting the bylaw to govern the “one-stop-shop” procedures, which is crucial for expediting
permitting and unlocking the potential of Serbia’s construction sector. BEP will serve on this
working group.
■ The GoS approved the LPC at the Government’s session held on November 27, and it then
officially entered the parliamentary adoption procedure.
■ On December 4, the National Assembly held the first discussion on the Law on Planning and
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 9
Construction. BEP , along with other members of the Working Group established at the Ministry
of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure (MCTI), processed 188 amendments submitted by the MPs and prepared them for the Government of Serbia’s consideration. The Working Group
proposed to the GoS the acceptance of some 40 MPs’ amendments.
■ On December 2, BEP and NALED presented the Draft Law on Planning and Construction to
members of the National Assembly’s Economy Caucus. As a result of this presentation,
Economy Caucus members decided to contact Deputy Prime Minister Mihajlovic and ask for more specific information about the Government’s plans, including the timeline for resolving the
conversion issue. They also agreed to send a joint letter to all ministries in charge of sectoral laws
in order to start the harmonization process as soon as possible.
■ As a result of BEP’s efforts, on December 29, the National Assembly passed the Energy Law and
one amendment to the recently enacted Law on Planning and Construction. This basically saves the construction permitting reforms: the one stop shop concept remains intact and implementable,
and the land development charge is eliminated. This is great news and a testament to USAID’s
ability to quickly react to problems and to USAID’s influence in the reform process. After these
reforms were threatened by amendments to the Law on Planning and Construction (LPC) and the Energy Law, BEP raised these issues privately with the GoS and publicly and got the GoS and
National Assembly to react. BEP’s actions included a press release that expressed concerns that
adoption of the Energy Law as proposed by the Ministry of Mining and Energy would undo key reforms in the recently enacted Law on Planning and Construction, e.g. increase the number of
procedures and the number of days needed to get the usage permit. This press release drew
significant media attention and caught the attention of Minister of Mining and Energy Aleksandar Antic. As a result, and with the help of BEP and NALED, the MoE changed the Draft Law to
alleviate the problems BEP flagged in the press release. The Energy Law is now in line with the
Law on Planning and Construction. Previously, at the last minute the LPC was amended in the
National Assembly to reintroduce the land development charge, which had been eliminated in the draft approved by the GoS. With the cooperation of the MoC, BEP brought this problem to the
attention of the media through a press release. After our press release the GoS agreed to amend
the Law and remove the land development fee.
Meanwhile, BEP is helping the GoS and others prepare for implementation. BEP is already working with partners in the government, donor community, and NGOs to facilitate implementation of
legislative reform. BEP is currently focused on developing the requisite bylaws, carrying out
preparatory activities ahead of the introduction of e-Permitting, and coordinating activities with other donor organizations. The key immediate goal is to complete all bylaws needed for the One-Stop-
Shop system to become operational in March 2015.
BEP is coordinating the drafting of bylaws that will govern the categorization and content of project designs, and is contributing to the development of the One-Stop-Shop bylaw. These are the bylaws
most critically needed for the full implementation of the reformed permitting system.
BEP was appointed Lead of the GoS Working Group to Draft Bylaws Accompanying Law on Planning and Construction (LPC). This appointment by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Construction, Transportation and Infrastructure Mihajlovic recognized the role that BEP has had in
reforming construction permitting. BEP leads the Working Group comprised of State Secretary
Damnjanovic and representatives of the Chamber of Engineers of Serbia, Faculty of Architecture, NALED, City of Belgrade, National Fire Protection Association, Association of Consulting Engineers
of Serbia, and the private sector. The bylaws to be drafted by the BEP-led group will govern the
categorization of structures and scope of project designs. This enables the introduction of risk-based permitting, a key recommendation in BEP’s concept paper. In addition, BEP will serve on other
working groups tasked with drafting bylaws for the LPC, and will help the Ministry finalize all
ancillary regulations, including those that pertain to the One Stop Shop procedure.
BEP finished the drafts of two bylaws needed to implement the newly-adopted Law on Planning and Construction. This is the result of BEP’s engagement in recent weeks with the construction industry,
central and local government officials, and experts. BEP has also been making progress with a
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 10
comprehensive analysis of options for an electronic construction permitting system; this document
will define the functionalities and implementation models for e-Permits. BEP has been working with the Ministry of Construction, Transportation and Infrastructure and NALED to revise the draft Action
Plan to Implement the Consolidated Procedure (i.e. the One-Stop-Shop concept) that the Government
of Serbia will adopt. The Action Plan will allow the formation of the inter-ministerial coordination
body to oversee the implementation of this reform and will serve as a platform for the Government of Serbia to coordinate donor assistance in this area.
BEP and the MCTI are also working to reform the property registration system. MCTI decided to
amend the Law on State Survey and Cadaster – a decision that was influenced by earlier BEP analyses (which cited the Cadaster Office as a source of major delay in construction permitting) and a recent e-
Permitting study tour to Macedonia. In Macedonia, representatives of MCTI, BEP, NALED, and GIZ
had an opportunity to learn about Macedonia's successful property registration reform. The goal of the amendments to the Cadaster Law is to cut deadlines and simplify administrative actions, since the
Cadaster has a pivotal role both before construction permitting begins and at its very end, when the
completed building must be registered in the real estate inventory. BEP is focusing only on
harmonizing provisions of the Law on State Survey and Cadaster with the One-Stop-Shop concept as defined in the Draft Law on Planning and Construction. Changes to the Law on State Survey and
Cadaster also have the potential to significantly improve the processes of registering mortgages,
which can facilitate lending to small and medium businesses.
In addition, BEP, NALED and the GIZ Open Regional Fund are working together to help the Ministry
of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure (MoCTI) develop an e-permitting system that will
enable an efficient one-stop shop system for construction permits. From September 10th to September 12th, 13 participants, including USAID BEP staff, MoCTI, City of Belgrade, Municipality of Sremska
Mitrovica, Business Registries Agency, NALED, and Standing Conference of Towns and
Municipalities visited Skopje to gain first-hand experience of how the Macedonian e-permitting
system functions. The study tour was organized by the GIZ Open Regional Fund. The Macedonian presentation convinced the attendees that Serbia would benefit from introducing an e-permitting
system.
Under Objective 1, Task 4, "Reduce the Employing Workers Burden," BEP and Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veterans’ and Social Issues (MoLEVSI) provided seminars to assist proper
implementation of the Labor Law. BEP and MoLEVSI organized 12 events throughout Serbia
gathering over 1,600 representatives of businesses, trade unions, inspections and other interested
parties. These workshops allowed the participants to learn about the most important changes contained in the Labor Law enacted in July 2014. Two major events in Belgrade and Novi Sad were
organized by BEP, Paragraf Publishers and the MLEVSI. All other events were organized by BEP,
MLEVSI, and Regional Chambers of Commerce. The Ministry’s trainers presented the Law’s innovations to help participants properly interpret and implement the amendments. Businesses were
mostly interested in provisions regulating years of service, fixed-term contracts, wage calculations,
reallocation of working hours, and reasons for dismissal. BEP and the MLEVSI will help the Labor Inspectorate finalize its working methodology and share it with all of its departments in order to
standardize inspection oversight procedures to harmonize practice. The workshops included:
■ On October 1, BEP and MoLEVSI presented the July amendments to the Labor Law to an
audience of businesspeople and other interested parties at the Zrenjanin Regional Chamber of Commerce. This “Educational Caravan” gathered around 40 people interested in amendments to
this crucial piece of legislation for the Serbian labor market and business environment. Jelena
Starcevic and Gordana Budimovic from the MLEVSI presented the amendments and helped participants interpret the statutory provisions accurately. The event received coverage in the local
media. The next event will be held on October 7, in Sabac.
■ On October 14th and 16th, BEP and MLEVSI presented key features of the Labor Law
Amendments to over 120 participants in seminars held at the Leskovac and Subotica Regional
Chambers of Commerce. These events were attended by businesspeople, trade union representatives, judicial officers, and other interested parties. The MLEVSI team presented the
main changes as they relate to salary and compensation calculation, as well as modifications to
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 11
collective bargaining procedures. They reminded businesses of the deadline for entering into new
collective bargaining agreements and advised them to start negotiations in due time. As at previous events, years of service and fixed-term contract provisions caused the most confusion
and were the focus of most questions, so the presenters thoroughly explained all details related to
those issues. The events were reported in local and regional media.
■ On October 21st and 23rd at the Sremska Mitrovica and Zajecar Regional Chambers of
Commerce, BEP and MLEVSI presented the novelties and the most important changes in the Labor Law, and help them interpreting provisions accurately in order to enable proper and full
implementation of the Law. Again, most questions were about years of service calculation,
deadlines for harmonizing employers’ bylaws and wage calculation. Both events gathered around
80 participants.
■ On December 2, BEP and MLEVSI held a conference at the Palace of Serbia to present the process and results of Labor Law reform. The event was attended by representatives of the
MLEVSI, Ministry of Economy, and
Directorate for Occupational Health and
Safety, ILO, Labor Inspection, representative Trade Unions, businesses and
other interested parties. Minister Vulin
stated that the Labor Law was one of the key factors that contributed to the decline in
the unemployment rate from around 20 to
17.6 percent. However, the Minister also stressed that the Law will be further
improved and the government would
prepare several new laws designed to
improve the business environment in Serbia: legislation to govern social
entrepreneurship, social dialogue, and
temporary employment agencies. BEP
Chief of Party Joe Lowther explained that BEP’s main focus was to ensure broad stakeholder consultations and transparent public dialogue in structuring and carrying out reforms. He
underscored the results of this approach through a presentation of stakeholders’ joint activities
that greatly affected labor law reform. He also pointed out the process BEP and MLEVSI carried out to ensure successful implementation of the reforms: in the month following the adoption of
amendments to the Labor Law, BEP and MLEVSI held 12 presentations in 11 Serbian towns,
disseminating information to more than 1,600 participants about changes to the Labor Law and
appropriate implementation of the new regulations.
BEP, MLEVSI, and the Labor Inspectorate also prepared Labor Inspectors to implement the amended Labor Law. As part of this activity, on November 7, BEP and MLEVSI held consultations with over
40 labor inspectors on labor inspection methodology and the Draft Inspection Oversight Law. The
participants included the Director and Assistant Director of the Labor Inspectorate, as well as senior
advisors and heads of regional units of the Labor Inspectorate. Senior advisors in the Labor Inspectorate presented the inspections methodology, which aims to unify and standardize labor
inspectors’ practice throughout the country. The participants discussed and commented on the
proposed solutions, and later provided some written comments. The Labor Inspectorate Working Group will use this feedback to finalize the methodology and will then distribute it to all labor
inspectors. In addition, BEP experts presented and discussed the key features of the Draft Law on
Inspection Oversight. The State Secretary with the Ministry of State Administration and Local Government attended this part of the event and joined the discussion. Next week the Draft Law on
Inspection Oversight will be submitted to ministries and other GoS institutions for official comment.
The Government’s Rules of Procedure envisage twenty working days for these institutions to provide
their comments.
Under Objective 2, Task 1, "Improve Public Private Dialogue," BEP assisted with several public-
Conference on Implementation of Labor Law
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 12
private dialogue events described in detail throughout this Report. They include:
Labor Law Caravan RPK Zrenjanin, October 1, 2014
Labor Law Caravan RPK Valjevo, October 7, 2014
Conference on Para-Fiscal Fees and Charges, October 08, 2014
Labor Law Caravan RPK Leskovac, October 14, 2014
Labor Law Caravan RPK Subotica, October 16, 2014
Labor Law Caravan RPK Sremska Mitrovica, October 21, 2014
Labor Law Caravan RPK Zajecar, October 23, 2014
WG on bylaws for classification and technical doc. October 28, 2014
WG on bylaws for classification and technical doc. November 06, 2014
WG on bylaws for classification and technical doc. November 13, 2014
WG on bylaws for classification and technical doc. November 20, 2014
International Conference “Strengthening SMEs through EU Guarantee Schemes and the COSME Program” organized jointly by Vojvodina Guarantee Fund and European Business
Fund, November 20, 2014
Business Survey 2014, November 21, 2014
WG on bylaws for classification and technical doc. November 28, 2014
Labor Law Final Event, December 02, 2014
WG on bylaws for classification and technical doc. December 11, 2014
Component 2
Under Objective 1, Task 1, "Capacity building assistance to the Fiscal Council and Improvements to fiscal responsibility," BEP met with the Fiscal Council on December 22 to discuss
program budgeting. BEP’s Chief of Party presented BEPs view and attitude to the Fiscal Council's
Analysis of the Budget Process and its Weaknesses. BEP has several objections to both the content of the Analysis and the lack of dialogue with BEP and the MoF on the Analysis before it was published.
BEP agrees with some of the Fiscal Council’s recommendations especially in the area of the MoF
Budget Department’s weak capacity.
BEP and the Fiscal Council also discussed the DSGE model that BEP provided to the MoF. The Fiscal Council agreed to a presentation of the model during the last week of January. BEP and the
Fiscal Council also discussed Policy Planning Secretariat capacity building: Pavle Petrovic suggested
more focus on sectors studies (education, agro) than on macro-fiscal analysis. Nikola Altiparmarkov suggested strengthening the connection between the MoF Budget Department and the strategic
planning process.
Objective 1, Task 2, "Improvements to MoF Fiscal Analysis and Strategy." BELOX and the MoF Macrofiscal Department (MFD) team improved the QUEST_Serbia model with the new
statistical data for the Y14Q3. It has been agreed with BELOX and MFD team to present and discuss
the model and its outputs with the FC members in second part of January. Other assistance is on hold
due to insufficient capacity of the MFD staff to participate in development of BRIDGE model, and stronger focus of the department on utilization of DSGE model.
Pursuant to Objective 1, Task 3 "Assistance to the GoS and Parliament to Improving Budget
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 13
Coordination and Performance Management," BEP and Ministry of Finance (MoF) held program
budgeting training for Members of Parliament. On December 4, BEP and the MoF presented the 2015 program budget structure model during a session of the Parliamentary Committee on Finance,
State Budget and Control of Public Spending. The over 30 MPs present learned about the new budget
concept prior to 2015 Budget Law entering parliamentary procedure. Committee Chairman Veroljub
Arsic informed MPs that all budget beneficiaries were obliged to switch to program budgeting by 2015. Mr. Arsic said that program budgeting would introduce a new funds allocation model, allow
program implementation, establish more control over budgetary funds, and ensure greater
transparency of public spending. Assistant Minister of Finance Mirjana Cojbasic said that program budgeting was an EU standard, adding that the MoF was planning to mandate quarterly reporting and
monitoring. Majda Sedej, BEP expert, explained that program budgeting provides the tools for more
efficient and effective use of budgetary funds, adding that its introduction requires understanding and support from all levels of government. She also spoke in greater detail about the programs, activities,
and projects already underway, as well as about their goals and indicators.
Under Objective 1, Task 4, "Assist the MoF Budget Department to Develop Capacity for
Improved Transparency and Program Budgeting," the Government of Serbia (GoS) implemented program budgeting in the 2015 budget after comprehensive and successful assistance from BEP. On
December 25, National Assembly adopted the 2015 Budget Bill, which introduces the program
budgeting model for all direct budget beneficiaries. Minister of Finance Dusan Vujovic said this Bill for the first time provides for full transparency of all transactions.
With assistance provided by the BEP, in February 2014 the Ministry of Finance (MoF) issued a
Program Budget Methodology that has provided a set of guidelines to budget beneficiaries for establishing financial plans, program activities, and projects. Over the last year, BEP and MoF have
conducted comprehensive training of civil servants on program budget concepts and performance
indicators. This training covered all 140 direct budget beneficiaries at central government level and
another 34 institutions of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. Furthermore, the training program allowed 600 civil servants to be directly acquainted with the features, importance, and scope of
program budgeting.
The introduction of program budget is an important milestone for improved policy planning, prioritization, and coordination of the Government, as it provides a uniformed framework for
assessing the costs of policy initiatives, and their relevance to the strategic goals of the Government.
BEP also participated in NALED’s Training on Strengthening Good Governance at Local Level.
Majda Sedej, BEP’s Economic and Fiscal Management Expert, provided training on preparing and introducing program budgeting at the event held on October 29 in Pančevo. The training was the first
in a series of training events to be organized by NALED as part of its Strengthening Good
Governance at the Local Level project. Ms. Sedej presented the reasons for the introduction of program budgeting in local governments and its importance for easier compliance with EU principles
and greater budget transparency. This presentation was followed by hands-on training on how to
apply the program budgeting model in Pancevo’s 2015 budget. BEP participate in a second NALED Training on November 14 in Nis. Majda Sedej again presented the main reasons for the introduction
of program budgeting at the local government level, as well as its importance in facilitating
compliance with EU principles and increasing budget transparency. The presentation was followed by
hands-on training on how to apply the program budgeting model to the City of Nis 2015 budget. This project is supported by the Finnish embassy and implemented by NALED, and aims to improve the
process of developing and implementing policies at the local level.
BEP also finalized training for budget beneficiaries on the new Budget Preparation Software (BPS). In the initial phase of training, 15 analysts with the Ministry of Finance’s Budget Department were
successfully trained in using the new BPS prepared by USAID. The analysts will now be able to use
BPS to collect and analyze budget beneficiaries’ financial plan proposals and to prepare the Budget Proposal for consideration by the Government and Parliament. Additionally, three analysts gained
competences to technically administer the BPS. In the second phase of training, 180 participants from
line ministries and other budget beneficiaries were trained to use the software in preparing 2015
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 14
AP Vojovdina on BEP assistance
"Beneficiaries’ program structures were improved through multiple revisions, with input and advice from USAID BEP team members in alignment with beneficiaries’ needs. The final versions are sufficiently transparent and comprehensive. The team members devoted particular effort to defining measurable and logical indicators that can be utilised to measure the achievement of objectives; verifiability and linkages between programme structures and pre-existing plans and strategy papers served as key criteria for selecting these indicators. On advice from the Gender Equality Authority, the team’s remit was extended to cover gender-sensitive indicators, which were defined wherever possible, or wherever their introduction was seen as useful for allowing future analysis of the budget from a gender perspective."
financial plan proposals. BEP provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Finance in upgrading
the BPS’s functionalities in line with the Program Budget Methodology. The upgraded software will significantly speed up the process of data collection, reduce errors due to manual data entry and
processing of the large amounts of information, and facilitate data analysis and decision-making on
budgetary allocations.
In addition to the success of BEP’s program budgeting efforts at the GoS level, we also had success at the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (APV). On December 23, the APV Assembly adopted the
2015 APV budget, in a new format that complies with the program budget model. The head of the
APV Government, Bojan Pajtic, remarked that the 2015 budget offered the highest degree of transparency and was focused on development measures. With assistance from the BEP, in June 2014
the APV Finance Secretariat commenced a series of workshops with all 34 APV budget beneficiaries
focused on implementing this budgeting reform that allows the development of financial plans in the
form of programs, program activities, and projects. BEP and the Finance Secretariat conducted a
comprehensive training program for 130 APV civil servants on program budget concepts and
utilization of performance indicators. Implementation of program budgeting will allow the Serbian
Government to achieve some of its most important objectives, such as maintaining fiscal discipline, effectively allocating public resources, and efficiently delivering pubic services.
Under Objective 1 Task 5 "Assistance to Integrate Program Budgeting and Performance
Management into National Strategic Planning," BEP helped the Public Policy Secretariat (PPS) align the GoS Work Plan with the GoS Budget. On October 3, BEP and the PPS team agreed to work
together to link the GoS Work Plan to the GoS budget. The PPS had finished the initial phase of
drafting the Government of Serbia’s 2015 Work Plan, which will become a core document for
coordination and execution of strategic public policies. Since the next step in its development is to link the Work Plan to the state budget, BEP agreed to provide direct assistance in connecting budget
beneficiaries’ program budgets to the goals, measures and activities set under the Work Plan. This
will ensure that the resulting document clearly shows the Government’s main priorities for the next year, the measures that can be implemented, and the budget funds that will be allocated for their
achievement.
Subsequently, BEP experts worked with the PPS to revise the Work Plan, and presented it to the line ministries as part of the latest round of program budgeting workshops. On November 12, BEP
representatives held an official presentation of program budgeting to the PPS team engaged in
preparing the Government of Serbia’s 2015 Work Plan (GoSWP). The presentation included all
details of program budgeting methodology, as well as portions of program budget structures for each line ministry. The presentation allowed the PPS to gain clear insight into how goals, measures and
activities established under the GoSWP relate to the programs, program activities and projects
established in the budget structure. During next week the BEP team will provide additional training for the analytical unit of the PPS, where the main focus will be on public sector performance
measurement methods. By providing assistance to the PPS on how to connect the new budget model
with public policy priorities and strategies, BEP will help the GoS achieve its social and economic goals
On December 23, USAID BEP participated in the introductory meeting of the Center of Government
Working Group, which is made up of representatives of the Ministry of Finance, Serbian European
Integration Office, Government General Secretariat, Legislation Secretariat, E-Government
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 15
Directorate, and Public Policy Secretariat (PPS). The Working Group agreed to develop new integral
methodology for planning and budgeting (including IPA programing); formalization of the content of all relevant documents; and integration of medium-term institutional plans with program budget
structures. To ensure the Working Group can reach optimal solutions as quickly as possible, BEP will
help organize a three-day retreat for the Working Group’s next meeting in early February.
Under Objective 2 Task 1 "Improving conditions for public investment in and trading of government debt," there were no activities due to insufficient capacity at the Public Debt
Administration to absorb the assistance.
Under Objective 2 Task 2 "Assistance to Improve Debt Management Systems, Analysis, and
Capacity," there were no activities due to insufficient capacity at the Public Debt Administration to
absorb the assistance.
Component 3
BEP participated in some general activities that will help achieve BEP’s objectives and will improve access to finance in Serbia:
On December 10, the BEP team met with MoF staff, led by Assistant Minister Zlatko Milikić, to
review the status of cooperation between BEP and the MoF. Both sides approved the final concept of the Property Valuation Law and agreed on the timetable for future activities. It was decided that the
final draft of the Law should be completed by the end of December. The following meeting of the
official Working Group will be held by the end of January 2015, while the Law is planned to be
adopted in Q1 2015. Regarding non-deposit-taking, non-banking financial institutions (NBFIs), the parties agreed to schedule a joint meeting between the National Bank of Serbia (NBS), Ministry of
Finance (MoF) and international donors (USAID and EBRD) that will aim get the NBS’ support for
the establishment of a regulatory framework to govern NBFIs. Finally, the parties agreed that BEP team was to provide further technical assistance in the process of public consultations of the Draft
Amendments to the Mortgage Law.
BEP developed two out of four of the best Regulatory Impact Assessments. The Office of Regulatory
Reform and Impact Assessment (RSJP) has begun publishing impact assessment reports it believes constitute current best practice. The RSJP selected four reports filed in 2013, of which two –
regulatory impact assessments (RIAs) for the Factoring Law and the Commodity Exchange Law –
were drafted by BEP. This accolade recognizes BEP’s determination to meet policy goals at minimum cost so as to benefit small and medium-sized businesses and avoid any unnecessary regulatory
burdens. Impact assessments contribute to the quality of policy-making by ensuring that legislation is
prepared on the basis of transparent and comprehensive evidence, and that it adds value for all stakeholders. BEP will continue to assess the regulatory impact of proposed regulations at an early
stage of the policy cycle, increasing both technical skill in drafting RIAs and awareness of the
significance of RIAs as a key analytical instrument that ensures the quality and efficiency of any
legislation.
On November 25, 2014, BEP participated in an event organized for owners of successful Serbian
small and medium-sized businesses by TPA Horwath, a leading tax advisory and auditing firm
operating in Central and South Eastern Europe. The main goal of the event was to raise awareness among business owners of the need and potential for strategic partnerships, and the necessity of
planning these activities in advance. Experienced experts from the industry (including TPA Horwath
Group, Serbian Private Equity Association and Bisnode) covered the latest M&A trends and provided practical insights into these transactions. Dragana Stanojević, BEP Deputy Chief of Party, presented a
summary of the issues related to access to finance and the regulatory environment for doing business
in Serbia. Participants agreed that efforts to overcome the existing financing gap should continue, in
particular through allowing the establishment of more non-bank financial institutions in Serbia.
Under Objective 1, Task 1, "Assistance to Build Supervision Capacity of Securities
Commission," the National Assembly adopted Amendments to Investment Funds Law on October
23. BEP provided comments and revised provisions for the draft law, and prepared a transposition
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 16
table that shows the level of compliance with relevant EU Directives. The amendments are another
step in aligning national legislation with the EU law (UCITS Directive, 2009/65/EC) in accordance with the Serbia 2014 Progress Report and the National Action Plan for Fulfillment of EC
Recommendations.
Under Objective 1, Task 2, “Improve Disclosure of Information in Compliance with the Legal
Requirements and Best International Practice,” BEP worked with the grantee to finalize the Document Management and Public Register System and get it ready for final roll out. The system
underwent final polishing. BEP and the grantee started training of SC staff for using the system.
Once the training is finalized and user manuals have been completed the Securities Commission shall overtake the application and start with its usage.
Under Objective 2, Task 1, "Assistance in Development of Legal Framework for Commodity
Exchange After receiving the official opinions from different ministries regarding draft Commodity Exchange Law, MoTTT finalized procedure and submitted the draft to the GoS. On November 21, the
GoS adopted the draft and pass it to the Parliament for adoption. Unfortunately, for unclear reasons,
the MoTTT pulled the draft from the parliamentary procedure on December 26. BEP has requested a
meeting with Minister Ljajic and is expecting an answer. Since BEP provided significant local and international expertise, and was an active member of the working group that drafted the law we are
quite concerned about this turn of events.
Under Objective 3, Task 1, "Improving Conditions for Public Investment in and Trading of
Government Debt," there were no activities due to insufficient capacity at the Public Debt
Administration to absorb the assistance. During 2015, BEP plans to continue assistance to implement
new Public Debt Authority IT Debt Management System by helping with technical and functional specifications for customization of the system. When finalized the debt management system will
enable: (i) Timely flow of information within the PDA and towards external parties; and (ii) a full
analysis of the aggregate debt portfolio, for risk management purposes, and the development of the
securities market aimed at ensuring transparency and predictability. The system should also meet the needs of internal and external auditors for carrying out audits in line with international standards.
Under Objective 4, Task 1, "Assistance in Development and Implementation of Access to
Finance Related Laws," BEP has been promoting legislation that would allow non-deposit taking, non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) to provide such finance in Serbia (currently there is no
legislation that would allow them to enter the market). During the quarter, BEP continued to
publicize its Report on Market Impact Assessment of Introduction of NDMFIs in Serbia, which shows
that hundreds of millions of Euros would be mobilized as microfinance if legislation would be enacted to enable microfinance in Serbia. BEP's annual Surveys of Businesses from 2011 to 2014 showed that
SMEs in Serbia have little opportunity to obtain finance and the situation is getting worse. According
to World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Rankings 2014-2015, Serbia ranks 121st of 144 countries in ease of access to finance, while BEP’s Business Survey shows that 62% of Serbian
businesses do not borrow.
On October 2, the Association of Leasing Companies of Serbia (ALCS) organized its annual Leasing Conference in cooperation with the Serbian Chamber of Commerce. BEP helped the ALCS develop
the messages that it wanted the media and participants to take away from the conference, particularly
the need for some key regulatory and tax reforms. In his opening address, Zlatko Milikic, Assistant
Minister at the Ministry of Finance (MoF), said that the MoF supported all initiatives to improve leasing regulations so that leasing can be used more, especially by SMEs. Mr. Milikic pointed out that
the MoF was working on improving access to other forms of finance as well, and noted that the
Ministry was collaborating with BEP and the National Bank of Serbia (NBS) to introduce a regulatory framework for non-banking, non-deposit-taking financial institutions. Emiliano Steinfl, ALCS
President, summarized the regulatory changes needed to improve leasing in Serbia. Representatives of
the Austrian, Croatian, and Slovenian leasing industry gave presentations on the leasing markets and regulatory frameworks in their countries. BEP and ALCS will continue to push MoF to make further
regulatory and tax reforms to enable leasing and bring the legal framework in line with Austria,
Croatia, Slovenia, and other markets.
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 17
Under Objective 4, Task 2, "Assistance to the MoE Implementation of "White Paper"
recommendations on Access to Finance," BEP continued to support the Ministry of Economy in SMEs Development Strategy Implementation. The Ministry of Economy held a public presentation
of the SMEs Strategy and Action Plan on December 22. Both documents were developed with BEP
support, and the access to finance pillar is largely based on BEP’s Access to Finance White Paper.
BEP agreed with the Ministry of Economy to assist implementation of some aspects of the SMEs Action Plan for 2015, in particular the regulatory and access to finance activities, and the work of the
SMEs Council. The SMEs Council should coordinate, lead and monitor the implementation. The
Strategy should be adopted by the end of the year, while the SMEs Council will be established in the first quarter of 2015.
BEP held its second roundtable with the banking sector. The second roundtable with the banking
sector under the grant “SME Growth Opportunities & How Policies and Banks Miss Them” implemented by CEVES, was held on October 7th at the National Bank of Serbia. The purpose of
this gathering was to present the key findings of the CEVES study to bank executives. Kori Udovicki,
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State Administration and Local Government, and Joe
Lowther, BEP CoP, opened the event, underlining that the findings of the research indicated that discussing different business models among Serbian banks, and expanding lending focus to smaller
companies, could be beneficial for both businesses and banks. Twenty high-level bank managers from
12 banks attended the presentation and discussion. The bankers agreed that the SME sector is underfinanced, but also pointed out the lack of demand for credit, regardless of the purposes and
conditions of loans offered. They also agreed that banks lack quality information about SMEs: these
firms are treated as high-risk clients due to other factors that define the environment for doing business, such as enforcement, NBS provisioning, and the level of non-performing loans. One of the
topics raised by bankers was the necessity of redesigning state aid programs and creating guarantee
schemes that would enable risk mitigation. The bankers noted that state aid is at present not efficient
and does not contribute to economic growth. BEP will follow up on this roundtable by defining the next steps in supporting the banking sector and potential borrowers to improve access to finance by
SMEs.
Under Objective 4, Task 3, "Assistance to improve state aid efficiency, monitoring and
transparency," BEP agreed with Minister of Economy Sertic to consider assistance to the Ministry’s
planned efforts to improve state aid, particularly in the area of private sector finance. BEP also agreed
with the World Bank to jointly coordinate assistance to improve the state aid. World Bank has reached
an initial agreement with the Ministry of State Administration and Local Government (MoSALG) and the MoE to analyze state aid, propose re-design of existing substantial and institutional framework
and ensure more efficient use of public funds earmarked for incentivizing growth. The WB is doing a
brief organizational diagnostic of the state-aid related institutions, as a part of their on-going “rightsizing” project aimed at helping the MoSALG reform the public administration in Serbia. The
results of this diagnostic will be available end of February. USAID BEP and the World Bank agreed
to have joint meetings with both ministries involved in state aid reform, in order to timely plan and effectively distribute donor’s assistance and resources needed for analyzing and re-designing the state
aid programs, products, procedures and institutions. The first joint meeting is scheduled for January
15.
On November 20, BEP spoke at the conference entitled “Strengthening SMEs through EU guarantee schemes and the COSME program”, organized jointly by Vojvodina Guarantee Fund and European
Business Fund. The conference, which drew around 150 participants, was aimed at acquainting the
general public with support instruments available to small and medium-sized businesses in EU member states. SMEs employ two-thirds of the EU’s private-sector workforce, and SMEs account for
about 60 percent of EU members’ GDP. The participants at the conference shared experiences and
roles of EU member states in strengthening the SME sector through micro-lending and guarantee schemes, and introduced the 2014-2020 COSME program, which is designed to enhance SME
competitiveness. Sandra Rodic, BEP ’s Financial Markets Expert, explained the current situation in
SME financing in Serbia and the need improve it by establishing a regulatory framework for non-
deposit-taking micro-financial institutions.
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 18
Under Objective 4, Task 4, "Assistance to strengthen professional services supporting access to
finance," BEP led the Ministry of Finance (MoF) Property Valuation Reform Working Group (Working Group) to develop the Property Valuation Law. On November 5, BEP team met with the
Ministry of Finance officials to review the first Draft Property Valuation Law, in particular the
institutional framework envisioned under this piece of legislation. The conclusions of the meeting
were incorporated into the second Draft, which was then disbursed to the other members of the Working Group tasked with developing the statutory framework for property valuation for another
round of reviewing.
On November 13 and 14, BEP participated in second meeting of the Working Group. The BEP team prepared two drafts to be discussed at the meeting: the draft National Standards for Property
Valuation, and the draft Property Valuation Law. The Working Group discussed the main features of
both documents, particularly provisions of the draft Law that govern oversight and disciplinary proceedings. BEP held a series of meetings and consultations with the Working Group Members and
other stakeholders (e.g. representatives of two national associations, academia, practitioners,
representatives of the MoF) in order to finalize features of the best international practice applicable to
local market (mainly creating rules of order for a new oversight committee, helping to define new certification and continuing education standards, harmonization of standards with EU directives). BEP
consultant, Mr. Chris Grzesik, who is appointed Chairman of The European Group of Valuers’
Associations (TEGoVA), managed the meetings from the professional side, providing valuable inputs in line with the latest EU practice and regulation (primarily Mortgage Credit Directive) that will set
new standards for oversight and quality assurance of the valuation profession.
On December 10, BEP held a final meeting with the MoF to approve the final concept of the Property Valuation Law and agree on the timetable for future activities. It was decided that the final draft of the
Law should be completed by the end of December, the Working Group will have a follow-up meeting
by the end of January 2015, and the Law should be adopted in Q1 2015.
On November 19, BEP and the Academy for Banking and Finance (ABF), in cooperation with the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (SCC), introduced the project entitled “Role of Good Accountant in
Access to Finance for SMEs” to more than 25 owners of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Besides tailor-made interactive training, the outputs of this project include publicly available distance learning video training sessions and a manual. The manual contains explanations, case studies, as well
as short videos that illustrate, additionally explain, and enhance lessons on how a good accountant
adds value to a firm and improves its access to finance. These activities have two goals: 1) to raise
SMEs awareness of how to distinguish between professional and reliable accountants and those whose low standards of accounting practice endanger SMEs’ credibility with potential lenders; and 2) to
increase understanding by SMEs of the role of the accountant as business advisor in keeping
trustworthy financial records and coaching clients on how to become creditworthy. The manual and video training will be distributed online through the websites of BEP’s grantee ABF, Serbian
Chamber of Commerce and regional chambers of commerce, Serbian Employers’ Association,
regional development agencies, business associations, Policy Cafe, and other business portals to be accessible to all interested Serbian businesses.
Under Objective 4, Task 5, "Strengthen the capacity of business associations to work on
improving access to finance," BEP is working with the Serbian Chamber of Commerce on a new
internet portal designed to help SMEs: poslovanje.rs. As part of its activities to help spread information on available finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), USAID BEP began
development of an interactive business web portal, poslovanje.rs, which will be hosted by the Serbian
Chamber of Commerce. The portal is expected to launch in early January. The portal will include module for Access to Finance (with content provided by USAID BEP), and B2B offer/demand
module, European Entrepreneurship Network module, technical legislation module, business info
service, etc. (content developed by the Chamber). The Chamber will be responsible for updating the information in the portal. The portal will be especially useful for SMEs as it will provide information
in various areas that are necessary for doing business.
On December 16, in cooperation with the USAID Sustainable Local Development Project, BEP
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 19
presented the status of business enabling reforms in Serbia to staff of local economic development
offices. Findings of BEP’s Business Survey show 92% of all businesses sell their products and services in Serbia, with most of them doing business only in their hometowns. This shows local
governments need to pursue reforms that will maximize investment, growth, and job creation. The
survey has found that borrowing by businesses is still on the decline and that most firms do not use
external financing: as many as 64% of all companies reported not having used outside finance (up from 31% in 2011). Since access to finance among farmers and agricultural SMEs is among the
poorest of any industry in Serbia, BEP emphasized the role of local economic development offices in
improving access to finance for this sector. Representatives of local economic development offices are invited to discuss possible additional modes of cooperation with municipalities, as well as with BEP,
with the aim of improving access to finance.
Under Objective 4, Task 6, "Strengthen In and Out of Court Credit Enforcement," on October 24, USAID BEP organized an event for key stakeholders aimed at ensuring better recovery of
delinquent loans. Banks' difficulty in enforcing loans is a major factor in the low availability and high
costs of lending. The Chamber of Professional Enforcement Officers and Association of Serbian
Banks participated in the event: more than 20 senior bankers from workout and collection departments of leading domestic banks and six professional enforcement officers (PEOs) with hands-
on experience attended. The participants discussed positive experiences in cooperation. A statement
made by one of the bankers best illustrates their impressions: “I wouldn’t reach my targets this year if there were no PEOs.” BEP underlined that both professions should focus on joint activities to ensure
synergy in tackling the large number of NPLs (accounting for EUR 3 billion according to NBS data).
Despite the positive experiences, banks are still underusing PEOs. Banks and PEOs agreed on several initial steps to increase banks’ use of PEOs: coordinating work in improving PEOs tariffs to make
sure they fit clients’ needs; exchanging data, statistics, and case studies describing successful
cooperation; and organizing necessary training on banking activities and business models for PEOs.
These activities should result in an event that will present the PEO profession to members of banks’ boards of directors in charge of decision-making.
Under Objective 4, Task 7, "Support Financial System Stability Reform," BEP has been
providing advisory support and legal expertise to Ministry of Finance (MoF) with regard to reform of bank resolution legislation and the deposit insurance system. BEP has participated in a series of
consultative meetings with the MoF and IMF related to the alignment of the solutions proposed by
IMF with the Serbian legal framework. The Serbian authorities have embarked on a comprehensive
reform of the framework for bank resolution, comprising extensive legal amendments and a significant strengthening of the authorities’ capacity for dealing with financial sector distress. BEP ’s
assistance covers the development of the Draft Law on Banks, the Deposit Insurance Agency Law and
Deposit Insurance Law, and the Law on Bankruptcy and Liquidation of Banks. Amendments to these laws are of crucial importance for Serbia as their adoption is a precondition for the country entering
into a standby arrangement with the IMF. The laws should be enacted in January 2015.
Public Sector Capacity Building Initiatives
BEP Promoted its Government Internship Program as a Way to Hire Talented Public Servants. On September 17, USAID BEP and its grantee Belgrade Open School (BOS) presented the results of
the pilot internship program in the Government of Serbia during the conference "Challenges in Public
Administration Reform and Employment of Young Professionals in Serbia”. Kori Udovicki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, Ambassador
Michael Kirby, Nenad Borovcanin, State Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Dusan Protic,
Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications, Srdjan Majstorovic,
Deputy Director of the European Integration Office, Milorad Bjeletic, Executive Director of the Belgrade Open School and Joe Lowther, USAID BEP’s Chief of Party gave introductory speeches.
Ambassador Kirby stated that internship programs in governmental institutions are vital for the future
of public administration. Internships are possible under current law and BEP is preparing guidance for GoS internship programs. Internships are also provided for in the GoS draft Public Administration
Reform Strategy.
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 20
Outreach
During the quarter BEP generated 273 media reports, all with a positive or neutral, and none with
negative tone. BEP’s outreach activities reached more than 45 million people with $367,983.00 USD* of total commercial value of the reports.
BEP held several noteworthy events during the quarter:
■ On October 8 USAID BEP and NALED presented the analysis of "Non-tax charges in Serbia 2014" and listed five key steps for its reduction. There was substantial media interest in this
event, which resulted in more than 40 positive media reports.
■ On November 21, USAID BEP presented findings from the Fourth Annual Business Survey. The
Survey shows that Serbian executives believe that the business environment in Serbia improved
slightly during 2014, though lengthy and expensive regulatory procedures and reduced bank finance continue to harm their companies' competitiveness. Deputy Prime Minister Zorana
Mihajlovic and U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia Michael D. Kirby opened the event.
This event attracted massive media attention: 30 news crews attended and more than 100 positive
reports were published. USAID BEP’s COP, Joe Lowther also had a TV appearance on the RTS’s Dnevnik.
■ On December 2, a conference dedicated to the adoption and implementation of the Labor Law,
organized by the USAID BEP and the Ministry of Labor, took place at Belgrade’s Palace of
Serbia. The conference was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Labor, USAID BEP,
Chamber of Commerce and other stakeholders. USAID BEP and the Ministry of Labor in the period from September 3 to October 23, visited 10 regional chambers of commerce and presented
* The commercial value was calculated by the press clipping agency Kliping d.o.o.
An Intern’s View of the BEP GoS Internship Program
"Along with other 15 recent university graduates, I did my internship under the BEP grant ’’Better public administration through internship program’’. After the rough competition between 1000 applicants, I was granted a unique chance to gain experience in the prestigious institution- Ministry of Finance. Already after my first workday, I have realized that I will be part of the main team in charge of public finance reform and implementation of new program budget model. This included my participation in development of new Methodology, workshops with pilot budget beneficiaries, and later its full implementation by all 173 direct budget beneficiaries. My main tasks were organization of workshops, communication with budget beneficiaries, coordination of Budget Department and BEP donor, and evaluation of program structures proposed by budget beneficiaries. This internship has provided me direct insight into all phases of budget preparation process, from strategic planning of public policies’ priorities, definition of med-term budget limits, to establishment of new budget structures of each budget beneficiary. In addition to previous, BOS organized soft skills workshops and career consultations which were specifically tailored for gaining the skills necessary for work in public administration, which we have not had a chance to learn at University. Since my ambition and hard work were officially recognized, today I can say I am proud member of Budget Department of Ministry of Finance." Milica Ilic
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 21
Labor law amendment. More than 500 business representatives, trade unions, inspection and other
stakeholders who responded to the call, were introduced by the Labor Law. This series of events resulted in very positive media coverage with more than 50 media reports
To improve transparency and make policy café more user friendly, USAID BEP introduced an in the loop section where the visitors can easily access all major analyses, researches and studies conducted
by USAID BEP.
Grants
In the fourth quarter of 2014, five Expressions of Interest were submitted to USAID BEP in response
to APS-2014-01 for consideration from the following organizations: a) Center for Investments and
Finance for "Assistance in improvement of public debt management systems and capacity" proposal; b) Cluster "Fruits of Kolubara for "Fostering access to agricultural finance in Kolubara region
(AgriFin-KOL)" project; c) Public Finance Institute for "Raising the Capacity of the Serbian
Parliament’s Committee on Finance, National Budget and Public Expenditure Control to Monitor the
The BEP website, www.bep.rs, continued to have a large number of visitors, as
shown by the adjacent chart. The BEP
website contains information about the project, grant solicitations, media
appearances, and partners. The BEP
website (bep.rs) has continued to show an increase in number of visits with a steady
average of 73 unique visits per day
(November 2014) and an average of
around 1500 unique visitors per month.
BEP’s interactive website, www.policycafe.rs,
provides a means for dissemination of research and analysis on issues related to BEP’s three
components allowing users to provide input and
feedback.
Based on our web analytics, visits to the website
have reached a steady and constant number of total
visitors with around 725 unique visitors on monthly
basis (see chart).
So far the policy café has more than thousand
different articles, publications, policy notes, useful
links and information with content updated on regular basis, being a solid ground for further
expansion of its popularity.
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 22
Implementation of the Budget Act" proposal; d) Institute for Entrepreneurship for "Empowering
Business Associations to Pool Resources and Advocate for Alternative Sources of Funding for SMEs" proposal; and, e) FREN for "Development of Local Currency Financial Markets in Serbia" project
idea. Since they were submitted at the very last day of the deadline, BEP's Grants Selection
Committee meeting has been scheduled for 14 January 2015 to deliberate all project proposals.
USAID BEP did not award any new grant in the reporting period.
The total amount of awards to date is $1, 522,967. The Grant Status is attached as Attachment 5.
USAID BEP GRANT FUND (USD) 1,674,584
Contracted (APS, RFA and RFP) 1,522,967
Exchange rate and other differences 43,651
Committed In-kind grant for RGA ($ 70,000); 53,145 USD
already contracted
16,855
Total 1,496,171
Obligated 1,674,584
TOTAL REMAINING GRANT FUNDS
UNTIL END OF PROJECT 178,413
A total of 49 grants and two purchase orders have been contracted to date.
Statistics:
Number of grants 49
Unsolicited grants 1
Follow-on grants 5
Sole source solicitation grant 1
Modifications to the grant agreements 31
Terminated 1
Purchase orders 2
Total disbursed funds until December 31, 2014 amount to 1,375,035.94 USD (90.42% of the
contracted amount). Grantees have been fulfilling the contracted milestones, and therefore fourteen payments were initiated in the reporting period for accomplishment of milestones as per their grant
agreements.
GRANT AGREEMENT MODIFICATION
USAID BEP approved and signed three cost modifications to the grant agreements with: Belgrade Open School, MP and Associates and Serbian Management Centre, one no cost modification to the
ABF Education and Consulting, as well as one modification to the Purchase order with TeamNet
International. The changes included the following:
1. Belgrade Open School (BOS), APS-2014-01-1, for "Support for the Ministry of Finance through Internship Placements" grant.
Changes:
1. Change deliverables/grant milestones and payment schedule specified in the grant agreement.
2. Revise the budget with the new budget attached.
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 23
3. Extend the period of performance of the grant agreement.
The reason for this change was that several selected inters left their positions, which compelled BOS to initiate a new recruitment process to fill in two vacant internship positions at the Budget
Department of the Ministry of Finance. After assessing the new situation and having in mind USAID
BEP’s commitment to its partners in the Government of Serbia, BOS and USAID BEP decided to
modify the BOS grant agreement. The project aims at continuing the improvement of management capacities within the Ministry of Finance (MoF) through continuing development and facilitation of
the internship placement program. The total modified value of the grant is USD 15,670; it will be
implemented until February 13, 2015.
2. ABF Education and Consulting, RFA-2014-01, for the implementation of "The Role of Good
Accounting in Access to Finance" grant.
Changes:
1. Change the ownership of the Grantee.
2. Change of director/legal representative of the Grantee and signatory to the grant agreement.
3. Change of the two team members.
4. Change of the milestone/payment schedule
Following the unfortunate death of a director and owner of ABF Education and Consulting Ltd.
Belgrade, Valor Consulting and Education Ltd. Belgrade acquired 100% interest in ABF Education
and Consulting Ltd. The new owners and project team pledged to maintain the same quality of services and to perform under the grant as set forth in ABF’s response to USAID BEP RFA-2014-01
and the Grant Agreement dated March 19, 2013. USAID BEP approved the CVs of the new staff and
decided to continue the grant with the new management in view of its commitment to finalizing all grant activities. The grant activities will be completed by March 19, 2015.
3. MP and Associates, RFA-2013-01/R , for " Development of Alternative Legal Framework
for Improving Construction Permits in Serbia" grant.
Changes:
1. Early terminate the grant agreement.
2. Change the milestones and payment schedule.
3. Revise the budget with the new budget attached
The modification entailed early termination of the grant agreement and change of milestones/payment
schedule. Following a careful examination of the status of the referenced Grant, especially in terms of
the deliverables and expected results of the project, USAID BEP decided to terminate the grant early. Some staff of Ministry for Construction and Urban Planning was replaced after the parliamentary
elections held on March 16 this year; the working group’s priorities and its mode of operation have
also changed since the launch of the grant. The Ministry’s activities have led USAID BEP to conclude
that the process has taken a course that prevents the Project from achieving the results and delivery schedule anticipated by the grant, and has duly decided to terminate it. USAID BEP acknowledged
the effort invested by MP and Associates in terms of drafting amendments to sectoral laws regulating
critical elements of the construction permitting processes and additional consultations and vetting of amendments to the draft Law on Planning and Construction, and will compensate the Grantee for the
work done to date. The total modified value of the grant is USD 35,066.
4. Serbian Management Centre, RFA-2012-07-F, for the implementation of "Enhancing
organizational effectiveness within key Governmental partner institutions in Serbia through Management Assistance Program" grant.
Changes:
1. Revise the budget with the new budget attached.
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 24
2. Change the milestones/grant deliverables and payment schedule.
The careful examination of the status of the grant, especially the impossibility of delivering the training and coaching sessions for the Budget and Financial System Departments of the Serbian
Ministry of Finance staff, resulted in the decision to amend the activities and the budget accordingly.
Trainings became impossible to deliver due to the substantial personnel changes in the Ministry of
Finance that occurred during summer. Ministry’s leadership (Minister, State Secretary, Assistant Minister) was unable to work with SMC to develop and implement the training and coaching, and the
staff changed and was reorganized. Therefore, it was agreed not to proceed with the outstanding
training activities. SMC will finalize the evaluation of conducted training and coaching activities and submit the final report by the end of the grant period of performance. The total modified value of the
grant is USD 19,550.
5. S.C TeamNet International S.A., Purchase order P0-2012-02, for "Development of Document Management System and Public Register" grant.
Changes:
Extension to the period of performance.
The modification allowed for extension of the period of performance for one month, i.e. until January
19, 2015, due to the delay in the training activities and migration of existing codebooks within the development of the document management system. The purpose of this Purchase Order is to support
USAID BEP by providing assistance to the Serbian Securities Commission in developing a Document
Management System and Public Register to facilitate its efforts to assure sound market regulation and supervision.
MONITORING
USAID Business Enabling Project Helps Improve Access to Finance for Small and Medium-
Sized Enterprises – On November 19, USAID BEP and the Academy for Banking and Finance (ABF Education and Consulting), in cooperation with the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (SCC), introduced
the project entitled "Role of Good Accountant in Access to Finance for SMEs", under the USAID
BEP grant RFA-2014-01, to more than 25 owners of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Besides tailor-made interactive training, the outputs of this grant include
publicly available distance learning
video training sessions and a manual. The manual contains explanations, case
studies, as well as short videos that
illustrate, additionally explain, and enhance lessons on how a good
accountant adds value to a firm and
improves its access to finance. In the
coming months USAID BEP, ABF Education and Consulting and SCC will
organize an extensive media campaign
throughout Serbia, as well as an additional five round tables, to promote the need for better financial analysis and financial statements.
All materials will be publicly available through regional chambers of commerce, regional
development agencies, business associations, and various business portals.
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 25
Financial review
Billing Total Remaining Percentage
To Date Budget Budget Complete
Salaries and Wages $ 3.114.807,95 $ 3.684.997,42 $ 570.189,47 85%
Fringe Benefits $ 236.457,17 $ 261.344,12 $ 24.886,96 90%
Overhead $ 1.836.206,06 $ 2.168.942,15 $ 332.736,09 85%
Travel, Transportation,
and Per Diem
$ 243.349,56 $ 521.752,74 $ 278.403,18 47%
Allowances $ 482.654,03 $ 664.749,34 $ 182.095,31 73%
Other Direct Costs $ 1.767.763,92 $ 2.417.168,84 $ 649.404,92 73%
Equipment and Supplies $ 65.249,43 $ 97.674,02 $ 32.424,59 67%
Participant Training $ 114.907,20 $ 64.634,18 $ (50.273,02) 178%
Subcontracts $ 1.092.466,40 $ 1.596.493,07 $ 504.026,68 68%
Grants Under Contract $ 1.377.820,38 $ 1.674.584,21 $ 296.763,83 82%
G&A on Grants Under
Contract
$ 164.628,85 $ 192.409,73 $ 27.780,88 86%
G&A $ 1.064.494,90 $ 1.318.794,16 $ 254.299,26 81%
TOTAL ESTIMATED
COST
$ 11.560.805,84 $ 14.663.543,99 $ 3.102.738,15 79%
Fixed Fee $ 668.862,53 $ 815.859,91 $ 146.997,38 82%
TOTAL ESTIMATED
COST PLUS FIXED
FEE
$ 12.229.668,37 $ 15.479.403,90 $ 3.249.735,53 79%
Upcoming Activities
BEP plans the following activities in the next quarter:
Component 1
Providing technical assistance for adoption of the Inspections Oversight Law
Providing technical assistance and supporting public private dialogue activities for harmonization of sector laws regulating elements of the construction permitting process with the Law on
Planning and Construction
Providing technical assistance and supporting public private dialogue activities for drafting bylaws and implementing enactments in the areas of construction permits and inspections reform
Foundation of inspections coordination body, and providing support to its operations
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 26
Completing software requirements specification for e-permitting system
Providing support to the central government institutions for implementation of the construction permits reform
Completing and officially launching the Inventory of Planning Documents
Providing training for implementation of the Inventory of Planning Documents
Complete tender documentation and process for business processes analysis (BPA) for e-Inspections, and BPA started
Inspection reform donor coordination
Outreach activities regarding the inspections and construction permitting reform
Component 2
Retreat with the Center of Government Working Group (Public Policy Secretariat, Ministry of Finance, Serbian European Integration Office, and General Secretariat) on unified strategic
planning and budgeting process
Retreat with the Ministry of Finance Budget Department on analyses of 2015 Program Budget and improvements to the established structures and indicators
Workshops with budget beneficiaries on integrating Action Plan on Implementation of Government Program with their proposals for Priority Areas of Financing (PAF)
Improvements to the budget preparation information system in line with requirements of PAF procedure and reporting on performance achievements
Component 3
The Market Impact Assessment Report for Non-Deposit-Taking Micro-Financial Institutions (NDMFIs) operating in Serbia expected to be presented to the Serbian Ministry of Finance and
the National Bank of Serbia in late January
Drafting amendments aimed to harmonize the capital market legal framework (3 laws, 120 amendments)
Further implementation of the Securities Commission Document Management System
Promoting the amendments to the Mortgage Law in the National Assembly
Promoting the PEOs profession and providing support in establishing dialogue with the banking sector.
Finishing "the role of the good accountant in access to finance" activities (road show and promotion);
Pilot project designed and partners selected for the implementation of SME Financing Facilitation Initiative
Development of a certification or rating scheme for SMEs, in order to improve their access to finance
Cooperation with the Association of Leasing Companies in Serbia on further amendments of leasing regulations
Promotion of the new business web portal, in cooperation with the SCC
Assistance to implement new Public Debt Authority IT Debt Management System
Advocating and lobbying for the development of the regulatory framework for non-bank
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 27
financing institutions (NBFIs) (first meeting of the newly established working group expected in
Q1 2015)
Assistance in finalizing draft of Action Plan for Implementing the Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness Development Strategy, 2013-2020
Providing assistance for establishment of SMEs Council
Finalizing and enacting the National Standards for Property Valuation, and the draft of the Valuers Law (includes helping to prepare regulatory impact assessments and analyses of
compliance with the broader Serbian legal framework)
Cooperation with the MoF and the World Bank on financial stability activities
Promotion of the Commodity Exchange Law, if the law is adopted by the Parliament.
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 28
ATTACHMENT 1: BEP WORK ORGANIZATION
Component 1:Business Regulation & Economic Governance
• Manager: Milan Stefanovic
• Analyst: Tamara Borovcanin
• Intern
Grants Manager
Jasmina Debeljak Maljkovic
M&E Duska Medic
PR / Communications:
Strahinja Mitrovski
Deputy Chief of Party & Financial Market Development
Director Dragana Stanojevic
Chief of Party Joe Lowther
Home Office
Project Manager
Project Coordinator
International and Serbian Short Term Technical Assistance (Business Regulations Advisors, Business and Financial Advisors, Macro Economists, Capital Market Advisors, Business Education Advisors and Gender Advisors)
USAID
Key personnel
Component 2: Macroeconomic Policy and Public Financial Mgt.
• Manager: Majda Sedej • Analyst: Natasa Tapuskovic
• Analyst: TBD
• Intern
Component 3: Financial Market Development
• Senior Manager: Ana Jolovic
• Manager Sandra Rodic
• Analyst: Vladimir Jovanovic
• Expert: Aleksandar Zaric • Intern
Operations / Finance Department
Tanja Stojkovic
Sasa Jelic
Uros Vasiljevic
Intern
Public Sector Capacity
Zorana Gajic Sasa Jelic
Business Regulations & Economic Governance
Director Dusan Vasiljevic
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 29
ATTACHMENT 2: LIST OF MEDIA PUBLICATIONS
No date media title
1. 03. 10. 2014 Blic.rs Proposals to introduce order in the para-fiscal charges
2. 05. 10. 2014 Dnevnik.rs Shadow economy hidden in the thousand regulations
3. 05. 10. 2014 Krstarica.com Shadow economy hidden in the thousand regulations
4. 05. 10. 2014 Sumedija.rs How to develop civil society
5. 06. 10. 2014 Bizlife.rs Combing para-fiscal charges
6. 06. 10. 2014 Dnevnik Shadow economy hidden in the thousand regulations
7. 07. 10. 2014 Ekonometar News from Serbian Chamber of Commerce
8. 07. 10. 2014 Tvsabac.co.rs A month form Labor Law implementation
9. 08. 10. 2014 Akter.co.rs 274 PARA-FISCAL CHARGES IN SERBIA
10. 08. 10. 2014 B92.net 5 solutions for para-fiscal charges
11. 08. 10. 2014 Bizlife.rs Hundreds of millions of euros for para-fiscal charges
12. 08. 10. 2014 Blic.rs NALED: Economy pays 384 para-fiscal charges
13. 08. 10. 2014 Kurir-info.rs NALED and USAID: Do not stifle economy growth with charges
14. 08. 10. 2014 Novimagazin.rs NALED: Economy pays 384 para-fiscal charges
15. 08. 10. 2014 Pravda.rs Economy pays 384 para-fiscal charges!
16. 08. 10. 2014 Privredni pregled The new register includes 384 charges
17. 08. 10. 2014 Radio Beograd 1 Para-fiscal charges reform
18. 08. 10. 2014 Radio Beograd 1 Number of charges in Serbia
19. 08. 10. 2014 Rtv.rs NALED: 5 steps to para-fiscal reform
20. 08. 10. 2014 Tanjug.rs NALED: 384 para-fiscal charges stifles economy
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 30
21. 08. 10. 2014 Tvlaser.info 5 steps to para-fiscal charges reform
22. 09. 10. 2014 24 sata SMS NEWS
23. 09. 10. 2014 Blic - Beograd Huge charges
24. 09. 10. 2014 Ekapija.com 5 steps to para-fiscal charges reform
25. 09. 10. 2014 Kurir Do not stifle economy growth with charges
26. 09. 10. 2014 Mc.kcbor.net 5 steps to para-fiscal charges reform
27. 09. 10. 2014 Politika 5 steps to para-fiscal charges reform
28. 09. 10. 2014 Poslovnojutro.com NALED: 5 steps to para-fiscal reform
29. 09. 10. 2014 Privredni pregled 384 para-fiscal charges stifles economy
30. 09. 10. 2014 Vibilia.rs NALEDL: 5 steps to reform
31. 10. 10. 2014 Blic Party foundation 70 RSD
32. 10. 10. 2014 Blic.rs Party foundation 70 RSD: The bizarre charges paid by citizens and businesses
33. 10. 10. 2014 Novimagazin.rs Bizarre charges paid by citizens and businesses
34. 11. 10. 2014 Glaszapadnesrbije.rs The lowest republic administrative fee is 70 RSD, and the highest 748 720 RSD
35. 11. 10. 2014 Pregled.rs Bizarre charges paid by citizens and businesses
36. 12. 10. 2014 B92.net 10 billion for charges without knowing why
37. 12. 10. 2014 Blic.rs Court fees cost us 10 billion annually
38. 12. 10. 2014 Novosti.rs Court fees cost us 10 billion annually
39. 12. 10. 2014 Politika - Magazin When artists start working
40. 12. 10. 2014 Pressonline.rs Court fees cost us 10 billion annually
41. 12. 10. 2014 RTS 1 Ivan Rada about para-fiscal charges
42. 12. 10. 2014 RTS.rs Unnecessary charges taking billions
43. 12. 10. 2014 Tanjug.rs Court fees cost us 10 billion annually
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 31
44. 12. 10. 2014 Tanjugbiz.rs Court fees cost us 10 billion annually
45. 12. 10. 2014 Bor030.net Court fees cost us 10 billion annually
46. 13. 10. 2014 Bktvnews.com Charges: We are pay for nonexistent solar and wind farms
47. 13. 10. 2014 Happytv.tv Court fees cost us 10 billion annually
48. 13. 10. 2014 Kurir-info.rs Hands in people’s pockets: We are paying nonexistent solar and wind farms!
49. 13. 10. 2014 Nadlanu.com Insolence: Charges on nonexistent stuff
50. 13. 10. 2014 Pravda.rs The state is forcing us to pay charges for nonexistent things!
51. 13. 10. 2014 Privredni pregled Court fees cost us 10 billion annually
52. 13. 10. 2014 RTV YU Eco Court fees cost us 10 billion annually
53. 13. 10. 2014 Rtv.rs Court fees cost us 10 billion annually
54. 14. 10. 2014 TV Protokol K-1- Leskovac Law on Amendments to the Labor Law presentation in Leskovac
55. 15. 10. 2014 Danas - Poslovi Charges which stifle economy
56. 15. 10. 2014 Ozon.rs Law on Amendments to the Labor Law presentation
57. 15. 10. 2014 Privredni pregled Para-fiscal charges paralyze entrepreneurs
58. 15. 10. 2014 Radio Subotica COMMENTS OF BUSINESSMEN TO CHANGED THE LABOUR LAW
59. 15. 10. 2014 rpkle.rs Law on Amendments to the Labor Law presentation
60. 16. 10. 2014 RTV City Subotica Labor Law presentation in Regional Chamber of Commerce Subotica
61. 16. 10. 2014 RTV YU Eco Labor Law presentation in Regional Chamber of Commerce Subotica
62. 16. 10. 2014 Subotica.info Making suggestions for better Labor Law
63. 16. 10. 2014 rtvcitysubotica.com Labor Law presentation in Regional Chamber of Commerce
64. 16. 10. 2014 super-info.rs Labor Law presentation
65. 17. 10. 2014 Subotičke novine Improvement of the Labor Law, supported by USAID
66. 18. 10. 2014 Dnevnik Ridiculous charges "eat" billions and stifle companies
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 32
67. 21. 10. 2014 Biznis & Finansije To drink or not to drink. That is the question.
68. 21. 10. 2014 Magazin biznis 5 steps to para-fiscal charges reform
69. 21. 10. 2014 Zajavnost.info LIBEK conference "Freedom and reforms" in hotel Metropol
70. 22. 10. 2014 Glassrbije.org Serbia needs a comprehensive reform
71. 23. 10. 2014 Rtvbor.rs Presentation of Amendments to the Labor Law in Zajecar
72. 23. 10. 2014 Timok Amendments to the Labor Law
73. 24. 10. 2014 Timok Amendments to the Labor Law presentation
74. 29. 10. 2014 M novine Labor Law provisions brought closer to businessman
75. 29. 10. 2014 Sremske novine - Sremska
Mitrovica
For better business environment
76. 31. 10. 2014 Danas - Dodatak How state could save
77. 03. 11. 2014 Naše novine In Serbia, 531 day for a construction permit
78. 10. 11. 2014 poslovnezene.org.rs Training for women entrepreneurs in Belgrade
79. 14. 11. 2014 Bizlife.rs One of the priorities of USAID in Serbia is to reform the system of issuing building
permits "
80. 17. 11. 2014 BizLife Support for future reforms
81. 17.11.2014 Biz Life Support for future reforms
82. 20. 11. 2014 Bizlife.rs What are the problems of the economy in Serbia?
83. 20. 11. 2014 Rtv.rs Mihajlovic: The business environment is improving
84. 20. 11. 2014 Tanjug.rs USAID: Slightly improved regulatory environment
85. 21. 11. 2014 Akter.co.rs LICENSE FOR 28 DAYS
86. 21. 11. 2014 B92.net IMF umbrella over our forex reserves "
87. 21. 11. 2014 B92.net Kirby: Positive shifts in the economy
88. 21. 11. 2014 B92.net However, the business climate is improving "
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 33
89. 21. 11. 2014 B92.net Serbian businessmen feel "a little better"
90. 21. 11. 2014 Beta.rs Businessmen see small improvement of business conditions
91. 21. 11. 2014 Beta.rs Businessmen see small improvement of business conditions
92. 21. 11. 2014 Bizlife.rs USAID: Arrangement with the IMF restores investor confidence in Serbia
93. 21. 11. 2014 Blic.rs USAID: Slightly improved regulatory environment in Serbia
94. 21. 11. 2014 Blic.rs Kirby: The Government of Serbia has made positive changes in the economy
95. 21. 11. 2014 Blic.rs Kirby: The international community wants to help Serbia
96. 21. 11. 2014 Danas.rs Businessmen see small improvement of business conditions
97. 21. 11. 2014 Danas.rs About media fund
98. 21. 11. 2014 Dnevnik.rs Subsidies are reducing and new excise tax are introduced
99. 21. 11. 2014 Dnevnik.rs Vujovic: Program reforms are difficult, but provides a basis for new jobs
100. 21. 11. 2014 Euractiv.rs Businessmen noticed slight improvement of the business environment
101. 21. 11. 2014 Kurir.rs Mihajlovic: The business environment in Serbia is improving
102. 21. 11. 2014 Newbalkan.com Miroslav Vasin opened an international conference dedicated to small and medium-
sized enterprises and EU guarantees
103. 21. 11. 2014 Novimagazin.rs Mihajlovic: The business environment is still improving
104. 21. 11. 2014 Nspm.rs Michael Kirby: I expect that the American company "Esmark" will take over the steelworks in Smederevo
105. 21. 11. 2014 Politika.rs Kirby: The Government of Serbia has made positive changes in the economy
106. 21. 11. 2014 Pressonline.rs Kirby: Esmark offer is the best for "Zelezara", Vucic on the move!
107. 21. 11. 2014 Pressonline.rs An agreement with the IMF; Serbia waiting for serious reform
108. 21. 11. 2014 Prva Srpska TV Serbia reached an agreement with the IMF
109. 21. 11. 2014 Prva Srpska TV Agreement of the IMF and the government
110. 21. 11. 2014 Prva.rs Kirby: Esmark offer is the best for "Zelezara"
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 34
111. 21. 11. 2014 Prva.rs Government is open to businessmen suggestions
112. 21. 11. 2014 RTS 1 Guest - Joe Lowther
113. 21. 11. 2014 RTS 1 Zoran Mihajlovic on the presentation of the results of research conducted by USAID and Serbian Chamber of Commerce
114. 21. 11. 2014 RTS 1 Joe Lowther says that the IMF has given a seal of confidence to Serbia
115. 21. 11. 2014 RTS 1 Research regarding the reforms in the public sector
116. 21. 11. 2014 RTS 1 Are companies ready for change?
117. 21. 11. 2014 RTS.rs Serbia, the IMF seal of confidence
118. 21. 11. 2014 RTS.rs Government open to businessmen suggestions
119. 21. 11. 2014 RTS.rs Are companies ready for changes
120. 21. 11. 2014 RTS.rs Government is open to businessmen suggestions
121. 21. 11. 2014 RTV1 Kirby: Esmark group offer is the best
122. 21. 11. 2014 Radio Beograd 1 Joe Lowther Chief of Party of the Business Enabling Project
123. 21. 11. 2014 Radio Beograd 1 Presentation of the Business Survey Findings conducted by the USAID in Serbian
Chamber of Commerce
124. 21. 11. 2014 Radio Beograd 1 Mihajlovic: Government is open to businessmen suggestions
125. 21. 11. 2014 Radio Beograd 1 Mihajlovic: Government open to suggestions businessmen
126. 21. 11. 2014 Radio Novi Sad 1 Mihajlovic: Next week in parliamentary procedure draft Law on Planning and
Construction
127. 21. 11. 2014 Rtv.rs What are the conditions of doing business in Serbia?
128. 21. 11. 2014 Rtv.rs Businessmen: Small improvements business conditions
129. 21. 11. 2014 TV KCN Government is open to businessmen suggestions
130. 21. 11. 2014 TV KCN A thousand enterprises
131. 21. 11. 2014 TV KNJAŽEVAC INFO The annual survey of the USAID Business Enabling Project
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 35
132. 21. 11. 2014 TV N1 Results of the fourth annual survey of the USAID Business Enabling Project were
presented today
133. 21. 11. 2014 TV Palma plus Statement by Michael Kirby
134. 21. 11. 2014 TV Pink The business climate in Serbia
135. 21. 11. 2014 Tanjug agencijske vesti Kirby: Agreement with IMF - assistance to Serbia
136. 21. 11. 2014 Tanjug agencijske vesti Kirby: The Government of Serbia has made positive changes in the economy
137. 21. 11. 2014 Tanjug agencijske vesti Lauter: Businessmen are complaining about high taxes
138. 21. 11. 2014 Tanjug agencijske vesti USAID: Arrangement with the IMF restores investor confidence in Serbia
139. 21. 11. 2014 Tanjug agencijske vesti USAID: Slightly improved regulatory environment
140. 21. 11. 2014 Tanjug agencijske vesti USAID: Slightly improved regulatory environment
141. 21. 11. 2014 Tanjug.rs USAID: Slightly improved regulatory environment
142. 21. 11. 2014 Tanjug.rs USAID: Arrangement with the IMF restores investor confidence in Serbia
143. 21. 11. 2014 Tanjug.rs Kirby: Esmark offer is the best for "Zelezara"
144. 21. 11. 2014 Tanjug.rs Government is open to businessmen suggestions
145. 21. 11. 2014 Tanjug.rs Kirby: Esmark offer is the best for "Zelezara"
146. 21. 11. 2014 Tanjugbiz.rs Mihajlovic: The business environment is still improving
147. 21. 11. 2014 Tanjugbiz.rs Kirby: The Government of Serbia made positive changes in the economy
148. 21. 11. 2014 Tanjugbiz.rs Government is open to businessmen suggestions
149. 21. 11. 2014 Tanjugbiz.rs Kirby expects Esmark group to take over "Zelezara"
150. 21. 11. 2014 Tanjugbiz.rs Kirby: The Government of Serbia has made positive changes in the economy
151. 21. 11. 2014 Tanjugbiz.rs Mihajlovic: The business environment is still improving
152. 21. 11. 2014 Telegraf.rs Kirby: The international community wants to help Serbia! (PHOTO) (VIDEO)
153. 21. 11. 2014 Tvbest.rs Kirby: Serbian government made positive changes in the economy
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 36
154. 21. 11. 2014 Tvbest.rs Mihajlovic: The business environment in Serbia is improving
155. 21. 11. 2014 Vibilia.rs The adoption of the Law on Planning and Construction next week.
156. 21. 11. 2014 Vibilia.rs USAID: Slightly improved regulatory environment in Serbia
157. 21.11.2014 TV Knjazevac Info Annual USAID Business Enabling Project survey
158. 21.11.2014 Vibilia.rs Kirby expects that the Esmark will take Zelezara Smederevo
159. 21.11.2014 TV Studio B Arrangement with the IMF comes into force on 1 January 2015
160. 21.11.2014 TV Sky Plus Problem of administration and banks
161. 21.11.2014 TV Pink Kirby: Government of Serbia made positive changes in the economy
162. 21.11.2014 TV Pink Business conditions in Serbia
163. 21.11.2014 TV N1 Statement by Michael Kirby
164. 21.11.2014 TV N1 Statement by Zorana Mihajlovic
165. 21.11.2014 TV N1 Statement by Michael Kirby
166. 21.11.2014 TV B92 Mihajlovic: Just do it
167. 21.11.2014 Radio B92 Mihajlovic: Just do it
168. 21.11.2014 Prva Srpska TV The business climate in Serbia
169. 21.11.2014 Prva Srpska TV Business environment still improves
170. 21.11.2014 Pressonline.rs The draft law on planning and construction next week
171. 21.11.2014 Pink 3 Survey regarding the reforms of the public sector
172. 21.11.2014 Glassrbije.org Mihajlovic: Government encourages the private sector
173. 21.11.2014 Blic.rs Mihajlovic: Building permits in 28 days
174. 21.11.2014 B92.net Kirby: Esmark is the best for Zelezara
175. 22. 11. 2014 Bif.rs USAID polls "measure" slight improvement of the business environment in Serbia
176. 22. 11. 2014 Blic For "Zelezara" "Esmark" is the best
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 37
177. 22. 11. 2014 Dnevnik However, the business climate is improving
178. 22. 11. 2014 Dnevnik Subsidies are reducing and new excise tax are introduced
179. 22. 11. 2014 Economy.rs Research USAID: Serbian economy still burdened by bureaucracy and lack of capital
180. 22. 11. 2014 Informer Businessmen complain about high taxes
181. 22. 11. 2014 Kurir Every fourth employer wants new employees
182. 22. 11. 2014 Kurir.rs Every fourth employer wants new employees
183. 22. 11. 2014 Kurir.rs Every fourth employer wants new employees
184. 22. 11. 2014 Naše novine Businessmen: Exchange rate an and huge taxes are lethal
185. 22. 11. 2014 Politika More optimism among businessmen
186. 22. 11. 2014 Rs.seebiz.eu Kirby: The Government of Serbia has made positive changes in the economy
187. 22. 11. 2014 TV Palma plus Statement by Michael Kirby
188. 22. 11. 2014 TV Pink The business climate in Serbia
189. 22. 11. 2014 Tanjug.rs Government is open to businessmen suggestions
190. 22.11.2014 Pressonline.rs Are the companies ready to change?
191. 22.11.2014 Poslovnalogistika.rs USAID survey: Serbian economy still burdened by bureaucracy and a lack of capital
192. 22.11.2014 Danas Businesspeople see a slight improvement of business conditions
193. 23. 11. 2014 Poslovnojutro.com The business environment in Serbia improved
194. 23. 11. 2014 TV Pink Survey 1000 enterprises in Serbia conducted by USAID
195. 27.11.2014 Nedeljnik They lied
196. 01. 12. 2014 Tanjug agencijske vesti Vulin and Lowther on the implementation of Labor Law
197. 02.12.2014 RTS 1 Guest – Aleksandar Vulin
198. 02. 12. 2014 Beta.rs Vulin: Labour Law reduced unemployment
199. 02. 12. 2014 Blic.rs Vulin: Labour Law fulfilled its purpose by reducing unemployment
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 38
200. 02. 12. 2014 Dnevnik.rs Vulin: Law is good, unemployment fell
201. 02. 12. 2014 Glassrbije.org Vulin: Labour Law fulfilled its purpose
202. 02. 12. 2014 Nsreporter.rs Vulin and Lowther on the implementation of Labor Law
203. 02. 12. 2014 Poslovnojutro.com Labour Law fulfilled its purpose by reducing unemployment
204. 02. 12. 2014 Radio Beograd 1 The report from the meeting on the implementation of the Labor Law
205. 02. 12. 2014 Radio Studio B Labor Law will have to be supplemented
206. 02. 12. 2014 Rtv.rs Vulin and Lowther on the implementation of Labor Law
207. 02. 12. 2014 TV KCN Presentation of the process of adoption and implementation of the Labour Law
208. 02. 12. 2014 TV Sky plus Reduces unemployment in Serbia
209. 02. 12. 2014 TV Studio B Labor Law reduces unemployment in Serbia
210. 02. 12. 2014 Tanjug.rs Vulin: Labour Law fulfilled its purpose by reducing unemployment
211. 02.12.2014 Tanjug.rs Vulin and Lowther On Implementation of the Law on Labor
212. 02.12.2014 Rts.rs Vulin: Law on Labor Fulfilled Its Purpose
213. 02.12.2014 021.rs Vulin: Next Year Law on Labor on Lease
214. 02.12.2014 Novimagazin.rs Vulin: Law on Labor Fulfilled Its Purpose – It Reduced Unemployment
215. 02.12.2014 TV N1 Statement by Aleksandar Vulin
216. 02.12.2014 TV KCN Statement by Aleksandar Vulin
217. 02.12.2014 TV Studio B The Law on Labour will have to be amended
218. 02.12.2014 Happy TV Statement by Aleksandar Vulin
219. 03. 12. 2014 Cord Where There is WILL THERE IS A WAY
220. 03. 12. 2014 Danas Vulin: Labour Law reduced unemployment
221. 03. 12. 2014 Dnevnik Law is good, unemployment fell
222. 03. 12. 2014 Narodne novine Labour Law reduced unemployment
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 39
223. 03. 12. 2014 Politika Labor Law reduces unemployment
224. 03. 12. 2014 Privredni pregled Vulin: Labour Law reduced unemployment
225. 03. 12. 2014 Vibilia.rs Aleksandar Vulin: Labour Law reduced unemployment
226. 03.12.2014 TV B92 How to attract investments in Serbia
227. 05. 12. 2014 Prva Srpska TV Joke number 2, directed to Aleksandar Vulin
228. 05. 12. 2014 Prva Srpska TV Joke No. 1 directed to Aleksandr Vulin
229. 08. 12. 2014 Beta.rs Notary fees became quasi-fiscal charge
230. 08. 12. 2014 Bif.rs Notary fees became quasi-fiscal charge
231. 08. 12. 2014 Bizlife.rs NALED: Notary’s Fees became quasi-fiscal charge
232. 08. 12. 2014 Blic.rs NALED: Notary’s Fees became quasi-fiscal charge
233. 08. 12. 2014 Danas.rs NALED: Notary fees became quasi-fiscal charge
234. 08. 12. 2014 Economy.rs NALED: Notary Fees became quasi-fiscal charge
235. 08. 12. 2014 RTS.rs NALED: Notary fees became quasi-fiscal charge
236. 08. 12. 2014 RTV YU Eco Notary fees became quasi-fiscal charge
237. 08. 12. 2014 Rtv.rs NALED: Notary fees became quasi-fiscal charge
238. 09. 12. 2014 Ekonometar Slight improvement
239. 10. 12. 2014 Jugpress.com Notary fees became quasi-fiscal charge
240. 11. 12. 2014 Nin Catastrophic cadaster
241. 11. 12. 2014 Tanjug.rs NALED: Due to paperwork industry is losing millions of euros
242. 15.12.2014 Rs.n1info.com USAID: The new law raises Serbia from 186th to 39th place in the world
243. 15.12.2014 Tanjug.rs Tasovac: Next year, work on the new Media Strategy
244. 15.12.2014 Alo.rs Tasovac: New Media Strategy in 2015
245. 15.12.2014 Tanjug.rs USAID: Amendments on Law on construction is turning point for the progress of
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 40
Serbia
246. 15.12.2014 Economy.rs Law on Planning and Construction is turning point spirit that leads to economic progress
247. 15.12.2014 Bizlife.rs USAID: Serbia with the new law comes from 186. to 39. place in World Bank report
248. 15.12.2014 B92.net USAID: Serbia is expecting to climb on World Bank Doing Business List
249. 15.12.2014 Tanjug agencijske vesti USAID: Amendments on the construction is turning point for the progress of Serbia
250. 16.12.2014 Loznicke Novosti Notary fees became a para-fiscal charge
251. 16.12.2014 Poslovnojutro.com USAID: Serbia is expecting to climb on World Bank Doing Business List
252. 16.12.2014 Politika Charges for land conversion remains
253. 16.12.2014 Dnevnik We will not be 186 in the world
254. 16.12.2014 Danas USAID: LAW ON PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION IS TURNING POINT
255. 21.12.2014 Krstarica.com Construction permits arrive in no more than 100 days
256. 21.12.2014 Dnevnik.rs Construction permits arrive in no more than 100 days
257. 22.12.2014 Dnevnik Construction permits arrive in no more than 100 days
258. 23.12.2014 Ilustrovana politika Bureaucracy gives fierce resistance
259. 24.12.2014 Tanjug.rs USAID: Energy Law threatens to undo a good part of the reform
260. 24.12.2014 Rtv.rs USAID: Energy Law threatens to undo a good part of the reform
261. 24.12.2014 B92.net USAID: Bad Draft Law on Energy
262. 24.12.2014 Bizlife.rs USAID: Harmful energy law
263. 24.12.2014 Biznis & Finansije Every day in every way I invest
264. 25.12.2014 Vibilia.rs SRB) USAID: Energy Law threatens to undo a good part of the reform
265. 25.12.2014 Kurir.rs CHAOS: Power connection breaks the law on building?!
266. 25.12.2014 Politika Act against the Act
267. 25.12.2014 Privredni pregled USAID: The new law drives away investors
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 41
268. 25.12.2014 Dnevnik BAD DRAFT LAW ON ENERGY
269. 25.12.2014 Kurir Power connection breaks the law on building ?!
270. 25.12.2014 RTS 1 Power connection breaks the Law on Construction
271. 26.12.2014 Blic USAID: Poor Energy law
272. 26.12.2014 TV N1 TV reporting in front of the Assembly
273. 27.12.2014 TV Pink Support young people to find employment
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 42
ATTACHMENT 3: PROGRESS VERSUS WORKPLAN
Component 1: Business Regulation and Economic Governance
Task Activities Activity Period Deliverables Status Q4
Objective 1: Improve and streamline business regulation
1. Improve Inspections
Operations and
Organization
Provide technical and other assistance for development and adoption of the legal,
regulatory and institutional framework for inspection oversight reform
Jan – Dec 2014
Draft Law on Inspection Oversight and other necessary
laws and bylaws governing business inspection oversight
Relevant supporting
documents for development and adoption of new
business inspection oversight framework
Continued to provide comprehensive support to the Ministry of State Administration and Local Government (MoSALG) and Working Group in development and finalization of the Draft Law on Inspection Oversight and its ancillary regulatory documents and key by-laws. European Commission gave affirmative opinion on Draft Law and its suggestions were incorporated in the provisions. Answers and explanations to comments obtained through public consultations completed and, together with other relevant documents, published. Comments obtained through public consultations analyzed and, where grounded, incorporated in Draft Law. Draft Law and its ancillary regulatory documents sent to the competent ministries and other public institutions for official opinions. Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) and Statement on Harmonization with EU Regulations completed and approved by the Republic Secretariat for Public Policies and EU Integration Office. Suggestions from official opinions analyzed and, where grounded, incorporated in Draft
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 43
Component 1: Business Regulation and Economic Governance
Task Activities Activity Period Deliverables Status Q4
Law. Deputy Prime-Minister and Minister for State Administration and Local Government announced enactment of the Law by end-2014, but dispute with MoF is holding up enactment.
Assist the introduction of the inspection information system (e-Inspections)
Jan – Dec 2014
Inspection information system
(e-Inspections) design
BEP, the Directorate for e-Government and the MoSALG, in cooperation with the inspectorates, developed the concept of inspection information system (e-Inspections/e-Inspector) and implementation plan. Program Budget of Republic of Serbia for 2015 (Law on Budget 2015) contains appropriate funds for implementation of e-Inspector project. Started developing ToR for conducting business processes analysis for e-Inspector implementation, and prepared initial relevant documents. Conducted study tour to State Inspectorate of Republika Srpska entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina, which uses inspection management information system (E-Inspection Training Program for Effective Inspections).
Support implementation of the new inspection oversight legal, regulatory and
institutional framework
Jan – Dec 2014
Implementation plan for inspection
oversight reform
Inspection oversight reform training
program
BEP and the MoSALG developed Draft Inspection Reform Implementation Plan. Continued to consult relevant stakeholders and to present inspection reform features through outreach activities, articles, media outlets, conferences, roundtables, press
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 44
Component 1: Business Regulation and Economic Governance
Task Activities Activity Period Deliverables Status Q4
Documents relevant for implementation
of inspection oversight
reform
Risk-based inspection oversight
criteria and inspection oversight
check-lists
Public body in charge
for coordination of inspection oversight
formed and functional
conferences and presentations. Experts, decision-makers, practitioners, businesses and citizens informed about contemporary inspection standards (risk-based, prevention-based, etc.). Continued developing the Inspection Oversight Law Guide. Conducted training, consultations and presentation to regional heads of Labor Inspectorate. Met USAID IDEAS team from Macedonia and will continue to share information and experiences in implementation of inspection reform. BEP and MoSALG are in process of defining modules and topics for inspectors’ trainings - draft paper developed.
2. Remove or reduce
quasi fiscal burdens
to businesses
Provide technical and other assistance for continuation and implementation of
regulatory reform of para-fiscal charges and fees
Jan – Oct 2014
Revised list of parafiscal
charges and fees
Analysis and
regulatory reform recommendations in
respect to continuation and implementation of
reform of para-fiscal charges and fees
reform
Draft legislation and
Produced and published comprehensive set of regulatory recommendations and paper on key steps to implement the reform.
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 45
Component 1: Business Regulation and Economic Governance
Task Activities Activity Period Deliverables Status Q4
regulation governing
charges for usage of
public resources, and
other para-fiscal charges and fees
Relevant supporting
documents for continuation and implementation of
para-fiscal charges and fees reform
Support establishment of a tool for comprehensive monitoring of the level of parafiscal impositions on businesses
Jan – Oct 2014
Tool for comprehensive
monitoring of the level of para-fiscal
impositions on businesses
BEP and NALED keep updating the register of non-tax and para-fiscal imposts. The latest update may be found via link: http://www.naled-serbia.org/en/page/63/Para-fiscal-registry
Conduct public consultations, outreach and communication activities to support
the continuation and implementation of regulatory reform of para-fiscal charges
and fees Mar – Nov 2014
Roundtables and other forms of
public consultations, outreach and
communication
Inputs for para-fiscal
charges and fees reform
Conference on para-fiscal fees and charges held; recommendations for reform presented to stakeholders and publicized. Communication with the businesses, public institutions and other stakeholders and outreach activities (partnership of BEP and NALED) is in progress.
3. Streamline
Construction
Assist development of sectoral laws needed for reform of construction permitting Jan – Apr 2014
Sectoral laws
amended to uphold
Provided technical assistance for harmonization of the Energy Law with the One Stop Shop concept resulting in
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 46
Component 1: Business Regulation and Economic Governance
Task Activities Activity Period Deliverables Status Q4
Permitting construction
permitting reform
adoption of the harmonized Energy Law in the National Parliament. Provided technical assistance and supported public-private dialogue within the framework of the National Parliament's Economy Caucus for harmonization of the Fire protection Law with the One Stop Shop concept. BEP is included in the working group that prepares the changes to the Law on State Survey and Cadaster, which is of critical importance for the proper implementation of the One Stop Shop Concept in practice.
Assist development of bylaws needed for implementation of the Law on Spatial Development and Construction (LSDC) and of sectoral laws
Jan-Jul 2014
Bylaws needed
implementation of
the
Law on Spatial
Development and
Construction
(LSDC)
and of sectoral laws
adopted
On the initiative of DPM and Minister of
Construction, Transport and
Infrastructure, BEP leads and
coordinates working group for bylaws
related with classification of
constructions, including the content of
project documentation per classes of
construction. BEP-coordinated working
group completed drafts of the two
bylaws and, together with NALED,
organized first public private dialogue
event on those two acts.
Participating in the working group
drafting bylaw on one–stop–shop
procedure.
Providing technical assistance to the
Standing Conference of Towns and
Municipalities in developing the Model
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 47
Component 1: Business Regulation and Economic Governance
Task Activities Activity Period Deliverables Status Q4
City Ordinance on Land development
Contribution that will be distributed to all
cities and municipalities in the country.
Train public officials and inform investors on the content of the reforms
Jan 2013 – Jan
2014
Training program for
public officials Manuals for
implementation of the
reformed permitting system and guides
for investors
BEP and NALED are including high
level Business Registry Agency (BRA)
representative in all discussions related
with functioning of the one stop shops
(BRA has an important role in
implementing the One Stop Shop
procedure).
Educate public on the importance of implementing the construction permits
reforms and on their expected impact
Feb-Nov 2014
Public discussions and media reports
on importance and
benefits of implementing
reforms
383 media reports (182 internet, 143
printed media, 57 TV videos, plus radio)
Develop hardware and software requirements for e-Permitting
Apr – Sep
2014
Hardware and software
requirements for e-
Permitting
developed
Web Based Inventory of Spatial and Urban Planning Documents almost completed and will be operational in January 2015, with the data being entered continually afterwards. Developing functional and technical specification for e-permitting IT system. Technical specification should be completed around February 1, 2015. The system is expected to be functional by the end 2015, and will be financed by GIZ ORF, and possibly WB.
Support coordination mechanisms and activities for implementation of the
construction permitting reform Jan – Dec
2014
Effective coordination
mechanisms for
Organized a retreat to facilitate completion of the Draft Law on Planning and Construction (LPC).
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 48
Component 1: Business Regulation and Economic Governance
Task Activities Activity Period Deliverables Status Q4
implementation of the
construction permitting reform
After LPC was sent to the inter-ministerial review, BEP helped the ministry to review the official opinions and incorporate acceptable proposals. After GoS approved LPC, BEP helped the Ministry review 188 collected amendments. BEP and NALED presented the Draft to members of the National Assembly’s Caucus for Economy. On December 8, National Parliament voted and adopted the LPC.
Monitor implementation of the construction permitting reform and help define and implement needed adjustments
Mar – Dec
2014
Adjustments to the contraction permitting
system
implemented
This activity will be implemented in
2015.
4. Reduce the
employing workers
burden
Train stakeholders on new labor legislation
Jan – Apr
2014
Training and
materials
BEP and Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Policy (MLEVSI) organized “Education Caravan” throughout Serbia to present and help interpreting novelties in the Labor Law. At 12 events, in 11 cities, more than 1600 participants were trained. BEP, MLEVSI and Labor Inspectorate worked with about 40 heads of regional Labor Inspection Centers to finalize the methodology for uniform inspectors’ surveillances.
Facilitate dialogue between business associations, trade unions and Ministry of
Labor and Social Policy on reform of labor legislation and regulations
Jan – Dec
2014
Meetings / Meeting Reports on
agreements and outstanding issues
Activity is completed.
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 49
Component 1: Business Regulation and Economic Governance
Task Activities Activity Period Deliverables Status Q4
- Roundtables and/or
thematic discussions
/ Summaries and conclusions
- Analyses and researches with
special reference to the best
international practices, EU
directives and ILO conventions /
Research papers and
Assessments
Organize outreach campaign and public-private dialogue to inform decision makers, stakeholders and general public about the impact of current policy
environment and expected outcomes of proposed reforms Jan – Dec
2014
Public discussions - Outreach campaign
(traditional media,
Ask When
campaign)
Final Labor event was held on December 2nd, where Minister of Labor and BEP COP presented results of USAID BEP’s and MLEVSI joint activities in two previous years.
Provide technical assistance for legal drafting related with labor legislation Jan - Dec 2014
Drafting Labor Law and other supporting documents
(explanations, harmonization
tables, RIA, Models of
Employer’s Rule Book and other
relevant documents
Activity is completed.
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 50
Component 1: Business Regulation and Economic Governance
Task Activities Activity Period Deliverables Status Q4
for businesses of different sizes) - Study tour in
Croatia
Objective 2: Business effectively partners with Government in developing and implementing regulatory reforms
1. Improve Public-
Private Dialogue
Develop mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation of Government’s
policies and their delivery, including the inclusiveness and transparency of
policy making. Jan – Oct 2013
Mechanisms for
monitoring and
evaluation of
Government’s
policies and their
delivery developed
Activity completed in Q3.
Conduct Annual Business Survey continuing the practice started in Year 1
Jun – Nov 2013 Annual Business
Survey report
Presented Business Survey 2014
results on November 21. Event drew
more than 120 attendees from the
Government of Serbia, individual
government authorities, business
associations, and other donors. More
than 30 media representatives reported
on the event, resulting in over 90
favorable media reports.
Organize PPD events as forums for discussion between the Government
and businesses on improvement of business environment.
Jan 2013 – Jan
2014 PPD events
15 PPD events held in Q4:
6 educative caravans on Labor Law, 1
event on para–fiscal charges, 7
meetings of the working group on
bylaws for classification of
constructions, Business Survey 2014
event, and Final event for Labor Law
reform.
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 51
Component 1: Business Regulation and Economic Governance
Task Activities Activity Period Deliverables Status Q4
2. Implement
regulatory
reforms
Select three to five most costly administrative impediments for doing
business in Serbia as identified in the BEP SCM study, Ministry of Economy
Draft Action Plan for Improvement of Business Environment, NALED's Grey
Book, GoS Comprehensive Regulatory Reform project and other relevant
analyses Jan – Mar 2014
List of three to five most costly
administrative impediments for
doing business in Serbia whose
reform is feasible without major legislative
changes
Activity completed in Q3.
Provide technical assistance to develop regulatory changes to address the
most costly administrative burdens
Feb – Jun
2014
Texts of proposed
legal interventions
related with
selected
administrative
impediments
Activity stopped due to the lack of GoS commitment.
Provide limited management capacity building assistance for
implementation of selected improvements to the business environment
Mar – Dec
2014
Trainings for
implementation of
regulatory changes
BEP and MLEVSI helped Labor
Inspectorate to gather around 40 heads
of regional Labor Inspection Centers
and finalize the methodology, in order
to uniform inspectors’ surveillances.
Plan for Implementation of LPC and
related legislation will be developed
activity will be conducted in Q1 2015.
Trainings for implementation of the Law
on Inspection Oversight will be
organized after the Law is adopted in
Parliament.
Communicate to the general public and stakeholders potential and realized
savings based on activities related with reducing the administrative burden Mar – Dec
2014
Media reports on
benefits of
Activity completed in Q3.
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 52
Component 1: Business Regulation and Economic Governance
Task Activities Activity Period Deliverables Status Q4
of
doing business in Serbia
implementing
reforms
Component 2: Macroeconomic Policy and Public Financial
Management
Task Activities Activity Period Deliverables Status Q4
Objective 1: Improve GoS budgeting, fiscal policy analysis, and financial management efficiency
1. Capacity building
assistance to the
Fiscal Council and
Improvements to
fiscal responsibility
Technical assistance with development of selected fiscal multipliers to improve the government’s ability to assess the economic growth impact of various policies and meet EU standards on fiscal analysis. Jan-Apr
Econometric analysis
Advisory Brief on Multipliers
Completed activity in Q2: developed, presented, and delivered the fiscal multipliers to FC members.
2. Improvements to MoF Fiscal Analysis and Strategy
Technical assistance to the MFD to develop and utilize a Bridge Model to strengthen macroeconomic and fiscal forecast and analyses and support fiscal policy-making.
Sept-Dec
Bridge Model,
Training, Training Materials and
Guidelines
Activity has been put on hold due to reduced capacity of the MFD staff to participate in development of BRIDGE model, and stronger focus of department on utilization of DSGE model.
Continuation of the grant funded technical assistance for implementation and sustainable use of the DSGE model
Jan - July
DSGE Model,
Training, Training Materials and
Guidelines
BEP and MFD team improved the QUEST_Serbia model with the new statistical data for the Y14Q3.
Agreed with grantee BELOX and MFD team to present and discuss the model and its outputs with the FC members in second part of January.
Further training on using the fiscal multipliers being developed by the Fiscal Council. (This will overlap with support to FC)
Jan-Mar Econometric
analysis, Activity completed in Q2..
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 53
Component 2: Macroeconomic Policy and Public Financial
Management
Task Activities Activity Period Deliverables Status Q4
Advisory Brief on Multipliers
Support to MoF to institutionalize the Citizen’s Guide to the Budget.
Feb- July
Training and
guidance on preparation of CG
Citizen’s Guide was finalized in March, but for various reasons it has not yet been published by the MOF.
3.Assistance to the GoS and Parliament to improving budget coordination and performance management
Technical training series for the Parliamentary Finance Committee on specific program budgeting issues; general training to all other parliamentary committees on program budgeting
March - Dec
Training and Training Materials
Advisory Notes
BEP and the MoF presented the 2015 program budget structure model during a session of the Parliamentary Committee on Finance, State Budget, and Control of Public Spending. Over 30 MPs that were present learned about the new budget concept prior to 2015 Budget Law entering parliamentary procedure.
Continuation of technical briefings on new business and financial sector legislation prepared with BEP assistance (e.g. inspections, construction permitting, labor, factoring, leasing, commodity exchange, brokerage capital requirements, etc.)
Depends on when laws get submitted
Worked with the new NA Economic Caucus to discuss and amend the Law on Planning and Construction and conversion of the right to use to ownership right. The NA adopted 15 amendments to the LPC proposed by the Economic Caucus. BEP and the Caucus also discussed the Draft Law on Inspection Oversight and Draft Energy Law. Economic Caucus was founded by 12 MPs from 8 political parties. They will work on the improvement of business environment in Serbia through advocacy of institutional reform alongside with businesses, municipalities, civil society organizations and citizens. BEP participated in the Economy Caucus hearing on harmonization of the Bill on
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 54
Component 2: Macroeconomic Policy and Public Financial
Management
Task Activities Activity Period Deliverables Status Q4
Fire Protection with the reformed construction permitting procedure.
4. Assist the MoF Budget Department to develop capacity for improved transparency and program budgeting
Technical support to GoS budget users to implement program budgeting (including the Provincial Government of Vojvodina)
Jan - Oct
Action Plan
Training and Training Materials
Advisory Notes
Assembly of the APV adopted an APV
budget that is in compliance with
program budget model. This was
enabled through USAID BEP’s technical
assistance (training and advisory) to the
Province Secretariat for Finance (PSF)
and all of 34 APV budget beneficiaries.
GoS 2015 Budget Bill, which introduces
the program budgeting model, was
adopted by the National Assembly.
Minister Vujovic has said this Bill for the
first time provides for full transparency
of all transactions. By conducting this
reform, all 173 direct budget
beneficiaries established their financial
plans in the form of programs, program
activities, and projects.
Assistance to the MoF in developing technical specifications and, if needed, arranging financing for a new budget preparation IT system.
Feb-Apr Advisory Notes
Facilitated a three-day training for the MoF and budget beneficiaries on new budget preparation software (BPS). 15 analysts of the MoF’s Budget
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 55
Component 2: Macroeconomic Policy and Public Financial
Management
Task Activities Activity Period Deliverables Status Q4
Department were successfully trained to use BPS to analyze budget beneficiaries’ financial plansand to prepare the Budget Proposal for consideration by the Government and Parliament. In the second phase of training, 180 participants from all direct budget beneficiaries were trained to use the software in preparing 2015 financial plan proposals.
Assistance to the SCTM and other projects in aligning the local government program budgeting framework to the central level framework.
Apr - Dec Advisory Notes
Participated in NALED training on strengthening good governance at local level focusing on the preparation and introduction of program budgeting. BEP presented the main reasons for the introduction of program budgeting at the local government level, as well as its importance in facilitating compliance with EU principles and increasing budget transparency. The presentation was followed by hands-on training on how to apply the program budgeting model to the Cities’ of Nis and Pancevo 2015 budget.
Assistance to the MoF Budget Department in developing a reporting framework and process for monitoring budget execution and training to budget users on the framework
Apr - Dec
Training and Training Materials
Advisory Notes
Activity planned from January 2015
Assistance to the Treasury Department in modifying reporting procedures for budget monitoring and in developing new technical specifications for upgrading the FIMIS (budget execution monitoring system) to be capable with the new program budget format.
Sept - Dec Advisory Notes
Activity planned from January 2015
Further assistance to the MoF management in strategic communications and in managing the reform process.
Feb – June
Action Plan
Advisory Notes
PR materials
Ongoing consultations with MoF management.
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 56
Component 2: Macroeconomic Policy and Public Financial
Management
Task Activities Activity Period Deliverables Status Q4
5. Assistance to integrate program budgeting and performance management into national strategic planning
Technical input and coordination assistance to the General Secretariat and other stakeholders (SEIO, Office of Prime Minister) in integrating the program budgeting process with national strategic planning process.
March - Dec Advisory Notes
Participated in the introductory meeting of the Center of Government Working Group, which is made up of representatives of the Ministry of Finance, Serbian European Integration Office, Government General Secretariat, Legislation Secretariat, E-Government Directorate, and Public Policy Secretariat (PPS). The Working Group agreed to develop new integral methodology for planning and budgeting (including IPA programing); formalization of the content of all relevant documents; and integration of medium-term institutional plans with program budget structures. To ensure the Working Group can reach optimal solutions as quickly as possible, BEP (with EU project) will help organize a three-day retreat for the Working Group’s next meeting in early February.
Regional study tour for high-level GoS officials in program budgeting and its use in strategic planning
Sept - Dec Activity planned from April 2015
Consultations with stakeholders, such as the parliamentary Finance Committee, NGOs, expert and donor community, and policymakers
All year Ongoing
Objective 2: Improve public debt management and conditions for government financing
1. Improving conditions
for public investment
in and trading of
government debt
See Component 3, Objective 3
Activity to be started once the new Government is established.
2. Assistance to
improve debt
Continued support for testing a potentially new software Commonwealth Secretariat Debt Recording and Management (DMRS)
March - June Advisory Report
Continued support for testing a potentially new software Commonwealth Secretariat Debt
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 57
Component 2: Macroeconomic Policy and Public Financial
Management
Task Activities Activity Period Deliverables Status Q4
management
systems, reporting,
analysis, and
capacity
Recording and Management (DMRS)
Technical assistance on Strategy for public debt and risk management information system development to increase efficiency and effectiveness of PDA combined with a substantial reduction of the operational risks.
March -Dec Draft Strategy
Testing a potentially new software Commonwealth Secretariat Debt Recording and Management (DMRS)
Objective 3: Improve macroeconomic policy, strategy, and analysis
1. Tactical Assistance
to advance the GoS
macroeconomic
strategy
Advocacy and outreach on the results of the Shadow Economy Study. (In cooperation with NALED.)
Jan-Dec 2014 Outreach
Communication with the inspections, business associations and other stakeholders and joint outreach campaign (BEP and NALED) is in progress.
Component 3: Financial Market Development
Task Activities Activity Period Deliverables Status Q4
Objective 1: Strengthening capital markets2
1. Assistance to build
supervision capacity
of Securities
Commission (SC)
Further capacity building assistance to streamline supervisory practices and improve resource management through effective use of the new IT system supported by the Project.
Feb – Jun
Training Training Materials
Consultations RBS Inspection
Manual for brokerages
Ongoing. See Task 2.
2 Objective completed: Based on the Ministry of Finance (MoF) request, BEP provided technical assistance in harmonizing capital markets laws and regulation. The activity included drafting amendments to three core laws governing the securities market: Capital Market Law, Takeover Law and Company. The amendments were drafted at the request of the MoF, and the conclusions of the MoFs working group that included relevant ministries and other capital market stakeholders (industry, market participants, and donors including BEP). The drafting process included areas of highest importance that raised the greatest controversy both among the business community and regulators, such as: determining market price of illiquid shares; buyout and sellout; pledge on securities; debt-to-equity swaps, etc. More than 120 articles were modified to ensure that the provisions were mutually compliant and in line with EU regulations and best practice. The MoF will distribute the draft amendments to the stakeholders for comments and review. Following any modifications based on feedback received, the final Draft will be submitted to the GoS and the Parliament for adoption.
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 58
Component 3: Financial Market Development
Task Activities Activity Period Deliverables Status Q4
2. Improve disclosure of
information in
compliance with the
legal requirements
and best international
practice
Continued support for development and implementation of a new web-based information disclosure system for the Securities Commission
Oct 2013 – June 2014
Document Management and Public Register
System
Official Register of Information
Report on Development of
Document
Management and Public Register
System for the SC
IT procedural training and training
materials
Finalizing the Document Management and Public Register System and getting
it ready for final roll out. Final polishing of the system. Started training of SC staff to use the system. Once the training is finalized and user manuals have been completed the Securities
Commission shall overtake the application.
Objective 2: Strengthen enabling environment for commodity exchange
1. Assistance in
development of legal
framework and
strengthening
enabling environment
for commodity
exchange
Provide technical assistance in reviewing and finalizing the Commodity Exchange Law and relevant bylaws for the law
March - Dec Draft Commodity Exchange Law and
bylaws
After receiving the official opinions from different ministries regarding draft Commodity Exchange Law, MoTTT finalized procedure and submitted the draft to the GoS. The GoS adopted draft and passed it to the Parliament for adoption. However, MoTTT withdrew the draft from the Parliament for unclear reasons.
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 59
Component 3: Financial Market Development
Task Activities Activity Period Deliverables Status Q4
Training to the SC and other main stakeholders on oversight and clearing at the contemporary commodity exchange.
April- Dec Workshops
Training material
Study Tour
Media coverage
Activity to begin after the law is adopted.
Objective 3: Improve GoS access to finance through development of a long-term, liquid public debt market
1. Improving conditions
for public investment
in and trading of
government debt.
Technical assistance to develop Framework for Developing Domestic Markets for Government Securities to build demand for dinar denominated debt from a wider investor base
March -Dec Draft Strategy
No activity due to insufficient capacity of Public Debt Administration to implement and absorb activity.
Objective 4: Improving access to finance for small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs
1. Assistance in
development
and
implementation
of access to
finance related
laws
Support and facilitate reform of the leasing regulation to make it more competitive with international standards, including assistance to MoF in making selected amendments (if needed).
Jan - August White Paper
Roundtables
Working Group meetings
Consultations
Draft amendments
Public outreach
Leasing White Paper delivered to
MoF. Awaiting official reply from the MoF on establishing a working group for resolving all identified issues from the White Paper.
BEP analysis and advocacy led NBS to amend the Law on Insurance, so now leasing companies can act as insurance agents. Other identified issues related to the NBS leasing regulation will be discussed in Q1 of 2015.
Advocacy and assistance for development of a regulatory framework for non-bank credit institutions followed by capacity building and outreach.
Jan – Dec Advisory notes Consultations Roundtable(s)
The MoF has agreed to establish the official Working Group tasked with drafting the legislation necessary for the operation of these institutions. NBS has not agreed yet and BEP and MoF
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 60
Component 3: Financial Market Development
Task Activities Activity Period Deliverables Status Q4
Draft law Training materials Media coverage
will meet with the NBS on this subject in the second half of January. BEP continues to advocate for the development of the regulatory framework for non-bank financing institutions (NBFIs).
2. Assistance to
the MoE for
implementation
of “White
Paper”
recommendatio
ns on access
to finance
Technical advice and assistance to the MoE in prioritizing and implementing selected recommendations from BEP White Paper on Access to Finance.
All year
Advisory notes
Draft Action Plan
Helped MoE finalize the SMEs Development Strategy 2015-2020 and Action Plan for SMEs Development Strategy. GoS expected to adopt Strategy by the end January 2015.
Assistance to MoE/NBS in establishing efficient information collection and dissemination mechanism, including defining information that should be collected in order to improve access to finance for SMEs
January - October Consultations
Advisory brief on information parameters
Additional indicators
The results of the BEP Survey for 2014 have been sent to the NBS to use for OECD data assessment. The NBS will start collecting information about SME financing from banks from 2015, which is in line with the recommendations from BEP’s access to finance white paper.
Provide assistance in improving of dissemination of all information on SMEs’ financing, including SMEs’ state support programs.
January – July Web portal
Public outreach
Roundtables
Media coverage
Development of the business web portal is in the final stage. Established sustainable mechanism for relevant data collection with all financial institutions and timely information on possible sources of financing will be available on the portal. The launch of the portal is expected in January, which will be followed by promotion.
3. Assistance to
improve state
aid efficiency,
monitoring and
transparency
Assistance in evaluation of state aid financing program, possible re-designing or restructuring selected state programs
All year Diagnostic of state support mechanism
Targeted on-going advisory
Agreed on cooperation between BEP and the World Bank to analyze State aid with a view to reorganizing it and ensuring more efficient use of public funds earmarked for incentivizing growth. BEP will be in charge for the
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 61
Component 3: Financial Market Development
Task Activities Activity Period Deliverables Status Q4
Programs design
operational and design issues of the State support programs.
4. Assistance to
strengthen
professional
services
supporting
access to
finance
Assist the NBS to increase the quality of and set the standards for collateral valuation.
Feb – Nov Technical report Draft bylaw Draft training materials and curricula
Finalized the final draft of the National Standards for Property Valuation, and the draft of the Valuers Law. Law is planned to be adopted in Q1 2015.
Assist the increase of quality and proper use of accounting for micro and SMEs
April – June 2014 Training and consultations
Roundtables
Legal drafting
Advisory notes
Workshops
Finalized manual and all production work (video links and video training). In mid-November grantee presented the materials at the roundtable in Belgrade.
Developing detailed PR and outreach strategy. All materials will be publicly available to all firms in Serbia. The outreach and road show will start in February.
5. Strengthen the
capacity of
business
associations to
improve
access to
finance
Strengthen the capacity of bankers and business associations to advocate for reforms, focusing on access to finance.
February – June 2014
Training and consultations
Roundtables
Workshops
Organized second roundtable with banks’ top management. Final report from this event and the grant submitted.
Based on work done and recommendations made BEP included specific activities in Year 5 to increase bank lending to SMEs.
Explore opportunities to develop value chain finance
Apr- December Training and consultations
Advisory notes
Media coverage
No activities.
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 62
Component 3: Financial Market Development
Task Activities Activity Period Deliverables Status Q4
6. Strengthen In-
Court and Out
of Court Credit
Enforcement
Improve the collateral regulatory framework to enable efficient enforcement, particularly out-of court enforcement
Jan - Dec Identify and prioritize the changes in collateral regulatory legislation Draft amendments to a set of collateral related laws
Reviewed Draft Amendments to the Mortgage Law and provided comments and suggestions. Provided language for the amendments that will enable out-of-court mortgage enforcement which was constrained over the past several years by the vague language of the current Mortgage Law and its inappropriate interpretation by the RGA. Amendments were released for public consultation.
Assist in continued improvements to implementation of in-court enforcement
Jan-Dec Coordinate with GIZ Project on assistance in implementation of the Enforcement law
Organized event with more than 20 senior bankers from leading domestic banks and six PEOs with hands-on experience, along with the Chamber of Professional Enforcement Officers (PEO) and Association of Serbian Banks. Banks and PEOs agreed on several initial steps to increase banks’ use of PEOs: coordinating work in improving PEOs tariffs to make sure they fit clients’ needs; exchanging data, statistics, and case studies describing successful cooperation; and organizing training on banking activities and business models for PEOs.
Conducted series of consultations and roundtables with the key stakeholders (Chamber of Professional Enforcement Officer, Association of Serbian Banks, bankers, etc.) to discuss and design the
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 63
Component 3: Financial Market Development
Task Activities Activity Period Deliverables Status Q4
possible options for assisting the implementation of Enforcement Law and the profession of PEOs.
7. Support
financial
system stability
reform
Support reform in order to improve management of financial stability to ensure stable financial system, strengthen confidence in the banking system, and increase the responsibility of all participants in the financial markets.
All year Identify and prioritize the changes in legislation
Draft amendments and recommendations
Conducted an assessment of the existing legal framework and assisted in drafting legislation to implement the Financial Stability and Cooperation Agreement, which sets out all of the relevant measures the GoS needs to take to promote stability in the event of an economic shock.
Participated in series of consultation meetings with the MoF and IMF related to compliance of proposed solutions by IMF with legal framework in the Republic of Serbia.
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 64
ATTACHMENT 4: PROGRESS VERSUS PERFORMANCE MONITORING PLAN
Project
Results /
Objectives
Indicators Measurement
Unit
Data
Collection Method
Schedule of
Collection Baseline
Targets Years
1-5
Status Q4
Mission Assistance Objective: Create A More Competitive Market Economy
IR 1.1:
Business
Enabling
Environmen
t Improved
Decrease in the
"Burden of
Government
Regulations"
addressing
Government
Inefficiency
Numeric Value WEF GCI Reports Annual 2011: 2.34
Yr 1: 2.34
Yr 2: 2.34
Yr 3: 2.44
Yr 4: 2.57
Yr 5 : 2.71
2.2 by the WEF GCI published in
September 2014
Sub-IR
1.1.1:More
Effective
Business
Regulation
Decrease in costs
for businesses to
comply with
regulatory
framework
Numeric Value Standard Cost
Modeling (SCM)
Annual 2011 Total
Administrative
Cost: RSD 124.6
billion (4.2% of
GDP)
Yr3: Total Administrative cost
decreased by RSD 4 billion plus
inflation (3.2% reduction)
Yr5: Total Administrative burden
decreased cumulatively by RSD 10
billion plus inflation (8% reduction
plus inflation)
3.6
IR 1.4:
Macroecono
mic
Environmen
t Improved
Increase in Foreign
Direct Investment
Numeric Value National Bank of
Serbia (NBS)
Annual 2010: 3.07%
GDP
Yr1: FDI at 3.3% of GDP
Yr2: FDI at 3.3% of GDP
Yr3: FDI at 4% of GDP
Yr4: FDI at 5% of GDP
Yr 5: FDI at 6% of GDP
Net FDI / GDP for 2013 = 2 % MoF Table
on Basic macroeconomic indicators,
updated March 20, 2013
No data available in Q4
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 65
3 Projected deficits by Fiscal council for 2013, 2014, 2015
Sub-IR
1.4.1:
Improved
Fiscal
Policy
Improvements in
the Open Budget
Index ("OBI") Score
as reported by the
International
Budget Partnership
Numeric Value OBI Survey Bi-Annual 2010: 54 Yr 1: N/A
Yr 2: N/A
Yr 3: OBI score 54
Yr 4: N/A
Yr 5: OBI score 57
2012: 39
Reason for this score: No longer
producing a Pre-Budget Statement, and
publishes a less comprehensive
Executive’s Budget Proposal.
Improved
Government
Budget Balance as
percentage of GDP
Numeric Value MoF Annual 2010: -4.4 %
(actual fiscal
deficit)
Yr1: -4.5% of GDP
Yr2: -4.5% of GDP
Yr3: -3.5% of GDP3
Yr4: -1.9% of GDP
Yr5: -1.0 % of GDP
-6.1 % of GDP -2014-estimated by MoF
Sub-IR
1.4.2:
Financial
Markets
Developed
Improved score in
WEF GCI
"Financial Market
Development"
(formerly
‘Sophistication)"
The VIII WEF GCI
Pillar
Numeric Value WEF GCI reports Annual 2011: 3.74 Yr1: 3.74
Yr2: 3.80
Yr3: 3.84
Yr4: 3.88
Yr5: 3.92
3.5 by the new WEF GCI published in
September 2014
Credit to private
sector as a
percentage of GDP
Numeric Value National Bank of
Serbia (NBS)
Annual 2010: 40% Yr 5: 60% 2012: 31%
2013: 25,7%
Number of person
hours of training of
journalists from
publications that
cover business
Numeric Value Project Report Annual N/A Yr 1: 400
Yr.2: 800
Yr 3: 800
Yr 4: 800
Yr 5: 400
65+75+234+152
2014: 526
Component 1: Business Regulation and Economic Governance Improved
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 66
4 Project will end 3 months into the 2016 fiscal year. 5 This refers to the annual BEP Survey of Serbian Businesses.
1. Improve
and
streamline
business
regulation
lowering the
costs to
businesses
and
government
from
business
regulations
Number of
commercial laws
and regulations
simplified and
implemented in
accordance with
international
standards as a
result of USG
assistance
Numeric Value Project Reports Annual 2011: 3 2011: 3
2012: 10
2013: 10
2014: 10
2015: 10
2016: 34
5
Average time spent
by management on
working with
inspections
Numeric Value Business Survey5
Annual 59 hours Yr. 2: 58
Yr. 3: 55
Yr. 4: 50
Yr. 5: 45
Yr4: 12 hours
Number of
Professional
Enforcement
Officers trained,
passed the exam,
and ready to get
appointed
Numeric Value MoJ Data Annual N/A Yr 2: 300 Activity completed successfully.
Number of days to
enforce a judgment
Numeric Value World Bank Doing
Business Report
Annual 2011: 635
Yr 3: 530
Yr 4: 475
Yr 5: 417
By WB DB Report published in October
2015 Serbian result is 635 days
Number of days
dealing with
constructions
permits
Numeric Value World Bank Doing
Business Report
Annual 2011: 279 Yr 5: 220 By WB DB Report published in October
2015 Serbian result is 264 days
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 67
Business
perception of the
burden of laws and
regulations
improves
Qualitative Business Survey
Annual 2011: 17% agree
that there was
improvement
Yr. 2: 18%
Yr. 3: 20%
Yr. 4: 24%
Yr. 5: 28%
Yr4: 53.3% agree that there was
improvement
Significant
progress of
realization of new
labor legislation
recommended by
the 2011 White
Book by the
Foreign Investors
Council in Serbia
Qualitative Foreign Investors
Council in Serbia
Annual N/A Yr.2: 1
Yr 3: 2
Yr.4: 6
Yr 5: 6
Six significant changes to the status of
the recommendations in the White Book
2014
Decrease in
percentage of
businesses
responding that
labor law has
negative impact on
business
Qualitative Business Survey
Annual 2011: 75% Yr. 3: 65%
Yr. 5: 55%
Yr4: 78.8%
2.Business
effectively
partners with
Government
in developing
and
implementing
regulatory
reforms
Increase in business sector participation on laws improving regulatory environment
Qualitative Business Survey Annual 2011: 19% of
businesses
agree that there
was
improvement
Yr 2 : 21%
Yr. 3: 25%
Yr. 4: 28%
Yr. 5: 32%
Yr4: 52.6%
Number of public
private dialogue
mechanisms/
events on business
regulation issues
created by the
project
Numeric Value Project Reports Annual N/A Yr1: 3
Yr2: 5
Yr3: 5
Yr4: 5
Yr5: 2
5+7+23+16 Yr4: 51
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 68
3. Improve
and support
the
regulatory
review
process and
RIA process
Number of
substantial RIAs
conducted by GoS
Numeric Value Project Reports/
Office of Regulatory
Reform Reports
Quarterly 2010: 8 Yr 1: 10
Yr 2: 15
Yr 3: 20
Yr 4: 25
Yr 5: 30
Activity completed
11
Business
perception of
transparency and
predictability
increases
Qualitative Business Survey Annual 2010: 23% agree
that
transparency
and predictability
increased
Yr. 2: 25%
Yr. 3: 28%
Yr. 4: 32%
Yr. 5: 35%
Yr4:55.3%
5. Improve
corporate
governance
standards,
policies and
regulations
Improvement in
Doing Business
Strength of Investor
protection Index
Qualitative World Bank Doing
Business
Annual 2011: 5.3 2012: 5.3;
2013: 6;
2014: 6.5;
2015: 7
By WB DB Report published in October
2015 Serbia has a score of 6.3
Number of
Commercial Court
judges trained in
implementation of
the Company Law
Numeric Value Project Reports Quarterly N/A Yr 1: 20 We don’t have a target for Year 3
6. Create
enabling
environment
for PPPs
Number of training hours of representatives of public sector entities and private companies trained in PPP
Numeric Value Project Reports Annual N/A Yr.2.: 200
Yr 3.: 200
Activity completed
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 69
Completion of regulatory framework (bylaws and methodologies) for PPP
Qualitative Project records Annual Nonexistence of
complete
normative
framework
(bylaws and
methodologies)
for PPP
Yr2.: 0 Yr.3: Complete normative framework (bylaws and methodologies) for PPP (specifically 1-Methodological materials in the field of public-private partnerships and concessions; 2-Bylaw on public contracts registry; 3-Bylaw on Supervision over Implementation of Public Contracts
Activity completed
Component 2: Macroeconomic Policy and Public Financial Management Enhanced
1. Improve
GoS
budgeting,
fiscal policy
analysis, and
financial
management
efficiency
Improvement in the
quality of Medium
Term Budgeting
and Prioritization
Qualitative Project Reports Annual No effective
budgeting
framework is in
place
Yr 1: Fiscal Strategy Report (FSR)
contains estimates of potential
GDP
Yr2: FSR contains estimates of
structural deficit
Yr3: FSR contains estimates on
tax expenditures
Yr 4: Budgets among ministries
better reflect their strategic
priorities.
FSR contains estimates of structural
deficit
PEFA Multi- Year
Score perspective
in fiscal planning ,
expenditure policy
and budgeting
Qualitative PEFA Assessment
(due Nov 2013)
Annual/ Results
published every 3
years
2010: Scored C Yr 5: Score B The 2013 PEFA Assessment scheduled
for November 2013. – Delayed
PEFA Assessment
Score on
predictability in the
availability of funds
for government
expenditures
Qualitative PEFA Assessment
(due Nov 2013)
Annual/ Results
published every 3
years
2010: Scored C+ Yr 5: Score B The 2013 PEFA Assessment scheduled
for November 2013.- Delayed
Number of articles
published in the
area of fiscal policy
Numeric Value Project Report Monthly N/A Yr 1: 2
Yr 2: 3
Yr 3: 3
No more activities planned for this
indicator
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 70
6 The new indicator “Number of activities related to macroeconomic and fiscal issues aimed at improving public-private dialogue” replaces the indicator “Quality of public
dialogue and debate on macroeconomic and fiscal issues.” The new indicator is a more objective and attributable measurement of the project’s work to achieve this
Objective.
containing research
and analysis
provided through
BEP assistance
that support
changes in fiscal
policy
Yr 4: 2
Yr 5: 2
Number of
activities related to
macroeconomic
and fiscal issues
aimed at improving
public-private
dialogue6
Numeric Value Project Report
Annual N/A Yr 1: 2
Yr 2: 3
Yr 3: 4
Yr 4: 4
Yr 5: 3
0
2. Improve
public debt
management
and
conditions for
Government
financing
Value of dinar
denominated debt
Numeric Value PDA (Public Debt
Administration)
Annual 2010: Value of
dinar debt is
14% of total
borrowing
Yr 5: Proportion of borrowing
increases to 20%
April 2014: 21,4%
Government
initiates a public
issue of debt to
more diversified
investor base
Qualitative PDA (Public Debt
Administration) ad
hoc report
Annual Baseline end of
March 2011
according to
PDA: Banks own
87,1% on
31.03.2011
Yr 5: Banks own 75% or less of
government debt in dinars
53.6%
Operational status
of debt
management
system and
number of reports
developed to
manage debt risks
and strategy
Numeric Value PDA (Public Debt
Administration) ad
hoc report
Annual N/A Yr 1: 0 reports (system not
functional);
Yr 2: 2 reports( system
operational);
Yr 3: 6 reports;
Yr 4: 8 reports;
Yr 5: 10 reports.
0
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 71
Proportion of key
PDA staff trained in
debt management,
economic and risk
analysis
Numeric Value Project records Annual N/A Yr 1: 10%
Yr 3: 50%
Yr 5: 75%
Activity completed
3. Improve
macroecono
mic policy
and strategy
Improvements in
WEF GCI on
"Macroeconomic
Environment"
addressing
Nation’s Savings
Rate, as % of GDP
Numeric value WEF GCI reports Annual 2011: 14.8 Yr 5: 18 11.5 by the new WEF GCI published in
September 2014
Number of
published studies
and articles
containing research
and analysis
provided through
BEP assistance
that support
changes in
macroeconomic
policy
Numeric Value Project Report Annual N/A Yr1: 2
Yr2: 5
Yr3: 8
Yr4: 8
Yr5: 6
1
Awareness of
Government’s
Economic Growth
Strategy
Qualitative Business Survey Annual 2011: 20% of
businesses
agreed that they
have some
awareness and
understanding of
the strategy
Yr. 2: 20%
Yr. 3: 25%
Yr. 4: 30%
Yr. 5: 35%
Yr4: 62.8%
Number of person
hours of training of
GoS staff on
macroeconomic
policy and public
financial
Numeric Value Project Reports Annual N/A Yr1: 500
Yr2: 1000
Yr3: 1000
Yr4: 750
Yr5: 300
1200+745+420+490
Yr4:2855
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 72
management topics
Component 3: Increased Financial Market Development
1.Increase
capital
available to
business
through the
creation of a
regulatory
framework
for NBFIs
Value of credit
financed from
NBFI’s to
businesses
increases
Numeric NBS Publications,
Stock Market, and
Securities
Commission Reports
Annual EUR 1.388 bn Yr.1: 0
Yr.2: 0
Yr.3: 5%
Yr.4: 10%
Yr.5: 10%
EUR 2013: 1.247 bn
Status of the legal
and market
framework for a
commodities
exchange
Qualitative Project Report/MoF
Report
Annual Regulatory
framework
currently not in
place
Yr 2: Commodities exchange law
and regulatory framework
established
Yr 3 : Establishment of the
commodities exchange
Draft Law adopted by the GoS and
currently in the Parliament for adoption.
2.Strengthen
integrity of
the capital
markets by
helping the
GoS to build
capacity to
ensure equity
issuers and
brokers
comply with
securities
laws
Number of
intermediaries
trained and advised
about upcoming
securities laws
Quantitative Securities
Commission and
Project Report
Annual Majority of
intermediaries
trained and
advised
Yr 1 to Yr 4: Will depend on the
speed of implementation of new
law and agreement with Securities
Commission and MoF
Yr5: 75% of intermediaries trained
and advised on changes and
benefits brought by new securities
laws
Activity completed
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 73
3. Improve
the GoS′
access to
finance
through the
development
of long term,
liquid debt
public market
Value of dinar
denominated debt
Numeric Value Statistics Office Annual 2010: Value of
dinar debt is
14% of total
borrowing
Yr 5: Proportion of borrowing
increases to 20%
2013: 18.7%
Government
initiates a public
issue of debt to
more diversified
investor base
Qualitative PDA (Public Debt
Administration) ad
hoc report
Annual Baseline end of
March 2011:
Banks own
87,1% of debt
(3/31/11)
Yr 5: Banks own 75% or less of
government debt in dinars
2013: 53.6%
4.
Strengthened
public-private
dialogue on
the financial
sector and its
role in
economic
development
Increased
awareness of the
role of the financial
sector in economic
development
Qualitative Project Survey
(a.k.a. BEP Business
Survey)
Annual Around 25% of
businesses
expressed a sort
of an agreement
that there is
awareness
Yr 5: 50% increase in awareness Yr4:91.6%
5. Strengthen
the
disclosure
and
transparency
supporting
new
investment
by assisting
the GoS to
implement
required
accounting,
audit and
Compliance with
IOSCO standards
in areas of
securities
intermediaries and
equity issuance
improves
Qualitative/
Numeric Value
Project and IOSCO
Reports
Bi-Annual 50%
Yr 5: Compliance improves to 60%
or better
New Capital Market Law Regulations is
expected to raise compliance level above
60%. Next IOSCO assessment in 2015.
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 74
disclosure
standards
6. Improved
access to
finance for
SMEs
Improved access to
finance
Qualitative Business Survey Annual 2011: 25% of
businesses
agree that
access to
finance has
improved
Yr. 3: 30%
Yr. 5: 35%
Yr4:47.8%
Increase in
average value of
loan size and
borrowing by
SME’s7
Qualitative/
numeric
Project Survey
(BEP Business
Survey
Annual 2011: 89,475
EUR
Yr.2.: 0 % points increase from
baseline
Yr.3.: 10 % point increase
Yr.4.: 15 % point increase
Yr.5.: 20 % point increase
Yr4: 36,002 EUR
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 75
ATTACHMENT 5: BEP GRANTS UPDATE
BEP GRANTS UPDATE
31 December-14
Solicitation Date of
Issue Project Grantee Amount USD Amount RSD Status
unsolicited proposal Quarterly Monitor 24
FREN - Foundation for the Advancement of
Economics
28,417 2,099,993 paid
unsolicited proposal
Business Leaders' Summit
SAM - Serbian Association of Managers - - rejected
TOTAL
28,417 2,099,993
RFA Project Grantee Amount USD Amount RSD Status
RFA-2011-01 15-Jun-11 Business Survey CeSID - Center for Free
Elections and Democracy
18,502 1,401,600 paid
RFA-2011-01 Business Survey GfK Belgrade - - rejected
RFA-2011-01 Business Survey Cromer Group - - rejected
RFA-2011-02 15-Jul-11 Quasi Fiscal Charges
NALED - National Alliance for Local Economic
Development
18,000 1,400,000 paid
RFA-2011-02 Quasi Fiscal Charges BDO Business Advisory - - rejected
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 76
RFA-2011-03 25-Jul-11 Econometric Assistance
FREN - Foundation for the Advancement of
Economics
36,300 2,828,300 paid
RFA-2011-04 20-Sep-11 Construction Permits MP and Associates 20,700 1,614,000 paid
RFA-2011-04 Construction Permits
ACES - Association of Consulting Engineers of
Serbia - - rejected
RFA-2011-04 Construction Permits City of Novi Sad - - rejected
RFA-2011-04 Construction Permits EC Harris d.o.o - - rejected
RFA-2011-05 30-Sep-11 Journalist Education CLDS - Center for Liberal
Democratic Studies
15,000 1,175,000 paid
RFA-2011-05 Journalist Education BIG - Business Info Group
d.o.o. - - rejected
RFA-2011-05 Journalist Education BIRN - Balkan Investigative
Network in Serbia - - rejected
RFA-2011-06 5-Oct-11 Private Domestic
Savings CLDS - Center for Liberal
Democratic Studies - - withdrawn
RFA-2011-07 12-Dec-11 Training of Judges on
Company Law Balkan Center for
Regulatory Reform (BCRR)
21,000 1,675,000 paid (modification 1)
RFA-2011-06-R 27-Dec-11
Private Domestic Savings - 23,000 1,850,000 No applications were submitted
RFA-2011-06-R2 16-Jan-12
Private Domestic Savings
Foundation for the Advancement of
Economics (FREN) - - rejected
RFA-2011-06-R2 16-Jan-12
Private Domestic Savings BDO Business Advisory LLC - - rejected
RFA-2011-06-R2 16-Jan-12
Private Domestic Savings
CLDS - Center for Liberal Democratic Studies 22,230 1,840,000 paid
RFA-2011-01-F Follow-on
Business Survey Follow-up Data
Analysis CeSID - Center for Free
Elections and Democracy 4,513 370,000 paid
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 77
RFA-2012-01 14-Feb-12
Organization of the Forum on Capital Market in Serbia
BeoImpigra, Ltd.
- - rejected
RFA-2012-01 14-Feb-12 Organization of the Forum on Capital Market in Serbia
AVENTo d.o.o
- - rejected
RFA-2012-01 14-Feb-12 Organization of the Forum on Capital Market in Serbia
EDGE Ltd. Belgrade
- - rejected
RFA-2012-01 14-Feb-12 Organization of the Forum on Capital Market in Serbia
BLUEWATERS YU d.o.o.
- - rejected
RFA-2012-01 14-Feb-12 Organization of the Forum on Capital Market in Serbia
Represent Communications
- - rejected
RFA-2012-01 14-Feb-12 Organization of the Forum on Capital Market in Serbia
Chapter 4 Communications
Consulting 19,980 1,697,180 paid
RFA-2012-02 28-March-12
Study and recommendations on
policies to increase employment and
workforce competitiveness
Center for Liberal – Democratic Studies - -
paid
RFA-2012-02 28-March-12
Study and recommendations on
Faculty of Economics, Finance and
- - rejected
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 78
policies to increase employment and
workforce competitiveness
Administration, Singidunum University (FEFA)
RFA-2012-02 28-March-12
Study and recommendations on
policies to increase employment and
workforce competitiveness
Joksovic, Stojanovic & Partners Law Office - -
rejected
RFA-2012-02 28-March-12
Study and recommendations on
policies to increase employment and
workforce competitiveness
Foundation for the Advancement of Economics (FREN) - -
rejected
RFA-2012-03 18-Apr-12
Project of Creating and Executing PR/Outreach
Campaign Bluewaters YU LLC - -
rejected
RFA-2012-03 18-Apr-12
Project of Creating and Executing PR/Outreach Kovacic&Spaic - -
rejected
RFA-2012-03 18-Apr-12
Project of Creating and Executing PR/Outreach
Represent
Communications
84,342
Paid (modification 1 and 2)
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 79
RFA-2012-03 18-Apr-12
Project of Creating and Executing PR/Outreach
Chapter 4 Communications
Consulting - - rejected
RFA-2012-03 18-Apr-12
Project of Creating and Executing PR/Outreach
Executive Group d.o.o. Beograd
- - rejected
RFA-2012-03 18-Apr-12
Project of Creating and Executing PR/Outreach
Conference Republic d.o.o.
- - rejected
RFA-2012-03 18-Apr-12
Project of Creating and Executing PR/Outreach Cromer Group ltd. - -
rejected
RFA-2012-03 18-Apr-12
Project of Creating and Executing PR/Outreach
MC 2 Public Affairs (Milosevic Creative Communications) - -
rejected
RFA-2012-04 26-Apr-12
Strengthening Regulation,
Management, and Effectiveness of State
Aid in Economic Sphere
BDO Business Advisory LLC 4,600,000
47,998
Terminated (modification 1)
RFA-2012-04 26-Apr-12
Strengthening Regulation,
Management, and Effectiveness of State
Aid in Economic Sphere
CLDS
- -
rejected
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 80
RFA-2012-05 11-May-12
Economic Policy Measures to Combat Shadow Economy and its Effects on Total Economic Growth in Serbia
BDO Business Advisory LLC
- -
rejected
RFA-2012-05 11-May-12
Economic Policy Measures to Combat Shadow Economy and its Effects on Total Economic Growth in Serbia
Foundation for the Advancement of
Economics (FREN)
79,830
paid (modification 1)
SSS-2012-01
6-Jul-12
2012 Business Survey in Serbia
CESID d.o.o.
25,825
paid
RFA-2011-04-F/2012
3-Aug-12
Assessment of Constraints to Construction Permits in Serbia - follow on
MP and Associates
16,850
paid
RFA-2012-06 4
September 2012
Internships in National Governmental Institutions in RS
Faculty of Economics, Finance and
Administration, Singidunum University
(FEFA)
- - rejected
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 81
RFA-2012-06 4
September 2012
Internships in National Governmental Institutions in RS
Consulting Company ConsulTeam Ltd. Belgrade
- - rejected
RFA-2012-06 4
September 2012
Internships in National Governmental Institutions in RS
NIP Obrazovniinformatord.o.o.
(Educational Informer) - - rejected
RFA-2012-06 4
September 2012
Internships in National Governmental Institutions in RS
Adizes Business Consulting, d.o.o
- - rejected
RFA-2012-06 4
September 2012
Internships in National Governmental Institutions in RS
Belgrade Open School (BOS)
89,970 paid
RFA-2012-06 4
September 2012
Internships in National Governmental Institutions in RS
Cromer Group LLC - - rejected
RFP-2012-01 8 October
2012
Development of web-based inventory of spatial and urban planning documents
Team Net World Professional Services
- 54,500 rejected
RFP-2012-01 8 October
2012
Development of web-based inventory of spatial and urban
Omnicom Solutions d.o.o. - 47,800 rejected
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 82
planning documents
RFP-2012-02 19
November 2012
Document Management System and Public Register
PSTechd.o.o. 120,000 rejected
RFP-2012-02 19
November 2012
Document Management System and Public Register
TEAMNET World Professional Services
99,948 Contracted (Modification 1,2,3)
RFP-2012-02 19
November 2012
Document Management System and Public Register
SAGA d.o.o. 115,000 rejected
RFA-2012-07 21
November 2012
Management Training for Public Officers Working in Governmental Institutions in the Republic of Serbia
Audit And Consulting Company “Deloitte”, Ltd.,
Belgrade
29,920
rejected
RFA-2012-07 21
November 2012
Management Training for Public Officers Working in Governmental Institutions in the Republic of Serbia
Singidunum University – Faculty of Economics,
Finance and Administration
29,765
rejected
RFA-2012-07 21
November 2012
Management Training for Public Officers Working in Governmental Institutions in the
Adizes South East Europe 28,890 rejected
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 83
Republic of Serbia
RFA-2012-07 21
November 2012
Management Training for Public Officers Working in Governmental Institutions in the Republic of Serbia
Serbian Management Centre Ltd
29,810 Paid
RFA-2012-07 21
November 2012
Management Training for Public Officers Working in Governmental Institutions in the Republic of Serbia
Fenix Human Resources Ltd.
29,855 rejected
RFA-2012-07 21
November 2012
Management Training for Public Officers Working in Governmental Institutions in the Republic of Serbia
CEFE Serbia 29,670 rejected
RFA-2012-07 21
November 2012
Management Training for Public Officers Working in Governmental Institutions in the Republic of Serbia
Center for Project Management - CPM
29,450 rejected
RFA-2012-07 21
November 2012
Management Training for Public Officers Working in
Cromer Group Ltd 29,560 rejected
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 84
Governmental Institutions in the Republic of Serbia
RFA-2013-01 6 February
2013
Developing an Alternative Legal Framework for Improving Construction Permits in Serbia
Center for Liberal Democratic Studies in
consortium with Zivkovic and Samardzic
39,970 rejected
RFA-2013-01 6 February
2013
Developing an Alternative Legal Framework for Improving Construction Permits in Serbia
EU Bild do.o 38,500 rejected
RFA-2013-01 6 February
2013
Developing an Alternative Legal Framework for Improving Construction Permits in Serbia
MP&Associatesd.o.o. in consortium with Pro
energod.o.o. 38,150 rejected
RFA-2013-01/R
15 March 2013
Developing an Alternative Legal Framework for Improving Construction Permits in Serbia
EU Bild do.o 48,500 rejected
RFA-2013- 15 March Developing an MP&Associatesd.o.o. in 48,400 Paid (Modification 1,2- early
termination)
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 85
01/R 2013 Alternative Legal Framework for Improving Construction Permits in Serbia
consortium with Pro energod.o.o.
RFA-2013-01/R
15 March 2013
Developing an Alternative Legal Framework for Improving Construction Permits in Serbia
Initiative for integrations – IFI
36,070 rejected
RFA-2013-02 5 June 2013
Business Survey in Serbia
TNS Medium Gallup
19,755
Rejected
RFA-2013-02 5 June 2013
Business Survey in Serbia
GfK Belgrade
19,500
Rejected
RFA-2013-02 5 June 2013
Business Survey in Serbia
IPSOS Strategic Marketing
25,021
Paid
RFA-2013-02 5 June 2013 Business Survey in
Serbia
Serbian Association of Managers in partnerhsip
with MASMI
27,500
Rejected
RFA-2013-02 5 June 2013
Business Survey in Serbia
CeSID d.o.o.
22,925
Rejected
RFA-2013-03 30 July Para-fiscal charges: National Alliance for Local 40,000 Paid (Modification 1)
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 86
2013 Evaluation of results and support for continuation of reforms
Economic Development (NALED)
RFA-2013-03 30 July 2013
Para-fiscal charges: Evaluation of results and support for continuation of reforms
Foundation for the Advancement of
Economics (FREN)
37,920
Rejected
RFP-2012-01/R
16 August 2013
Development of web-based inventory of spatial and urban planning documents
PSTech d.o.o. 39,050 Rejected
RFP-2012-01/R
16 August 2013
Development of web-based inventory of spatial and urban planning documents
OSA Racunarski inzenjering d.o.o.
53,145.50 Contracted
RFP-2012-07-F
Submitted 17-Nov-13
Management Training for public officers working in Government Institutions” Follow On
Serbian Management Centre
44,550
Rejected
RFP-2012-06-F
Submitted 19-Nov-13
"Better Public Administration through Internship Placements" Follow On
Belgrade Open School (BOS)
87,620
Paid
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 87
RFP-2012-07-F
Submitted 5-Dec-13
Management Training for public officers working in Government Institutions” Follow On
Serbian Management Centre
22,800
Contracted (Modification 1,2,3)
RFA-2014-01
29-Jan-14
The Role of Good Accounting in Access to Finance
GM Konsalting od
23,000
Rejected
RFA-2014-01
29-Jan-14
The Role of Good Accounting in Access to Finance
ABF Edukacija i konsalting d.o.o. Beograd
22,985
Contracted (Modification 1)
RFA-2014-01
29-Jan-14
The Role of Good Accounting in Access to Finance
Academica
22,848
Rejected
RFA-2014-01
29-Jan-14
The Role of Good Accounting in Access to Finance
Consulting company WM Equity Partners Ltd
22,718
Rejected
RFA-2014-01
29-Jan-14
The Role of Good Accounting in Access to Finance
DNA Communications d.o.o.
22,815
Rejected
RFA-2014-01
29-Jan-14
The Role of Good Accounting in Access to Finance
V+O Communications ltd.
22,929
Rejected
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 88
RFA-2014-02
16 May 2014
Business Survey in Serbia 2014
GfK 18,978
Rejected
RFA-2014-02
16 May 2014
Business Survey in Serbia 2014
Ipsos Strategic Marketing 19,991 Contracted
RFA-2014-02
16 May 2014
Business Survey in Serbia 2014
Medium Gallup 17,631
Rejected
RFA-2014-02
16 May 2014
Business Survey in Serbia 2014
CeSID 16,615
Rejected
RFA-2014-03
27 May 2014
Development of Business Web Portal
Omnicom Solutions d.o.o. Beograd
28,620 Contracted
RFA-2014-03
27 May 2014
Development of Business Web Portal
E-Smart Systems 29,972 Rejected
RFA-2014-03
27 May 2014
Development of Business Web Portal
DUBES Company for Trade, Manufacturing and
Services Ltd. Belgrade 30,000 Rejected
RFA-2014-03
27 May 2014
Development of Business Web Portal
COMTRADE IT SOLUTIONS & SERVICES d.o.o.
29,517 Rejected
RFA-2014-03
27 May 2014
Development of Business Web Portal
POWER SYMBOL TECHNOLOGY D.O.O.
23,200 Rejected
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 89
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST TITLE APPLICANT Amount RSD Amount USD Status GSC Meeting
Economic Growth Model Center for Liberal-Democratic Studies (CLDS)
0 0 Rejected
Commodity Exchange at Agricultural Forum - Food for Europe
Economics Institute 389,640 5,000 PAID 9/26/2011
Economics Training for Students of Journalism Association CIVILNET 0 0 Rejected 9/26/2011
Guide for preparation of the Plan of Reorganization (PR) in accordance with Bankruptcy Law
BDO Business Advisory 0 0 Rejected 9/26/2011
Guide for the preparation of the Prepackaged Plan of Reorganization (PPR) in accordance with Bankruptcy Law
BDO Business Advisory 0 0 Rejected 9/26/2011
Development of Corporate Bonds Market in Serbia Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia
0 0 Rejected 9/26/2011
Fiscal Rules as a Fiscal Responsibility Tool Center for Liberal-Democratic Studies (CLDS)
0 0 Withdrawn 9/26/2011
MAT for Better Business Conditions Economics Institute 810,600 10,300 PAID 11/4/2011
Belgrade Stock Exchange 10th International Conference Belgrade Stock Exchange 300,000 3,800 PAID 11/4/2011
Public Administration Training to improve administrative capacity
Singidunum University - Faculty of Economics, Finance and
Administration (FEFA)
0 0 Rejected 11/4/2011
Adjusting the Codex of Corporate Management of the SCCI with the new Company Law
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia
950,000 12,100 PAID 11/4/2011
Annual Seminar - Economic Potentials and Business Development Prospects
Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence (BFPE)
1,000,000 12,700 PAID 11/4/2011
Alumni Seminar - Improving Conditions for Doing Business in Serbia
Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence (BFPE)
1,100,000 14,000 PAID 11/4/2011
Including Serbia into the World Competitiveness Yearbook
Institute of Economic Sciences 0 0 Rejected 11/4/2011
Quarterly Monitor: Macroeconomic and Business Climate Issues of Serbian Economy
Foundation for the Advancement of Economics
(FREN)
3,066,000 39,000 PAID 12/8/2011
Improving Competitiveness of Trade Companies Serbian Association of Employers
0 0 Rejected 11/29/2011
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 90
Managers' Hours Serbian Association of Managers
1,297,280 16,300 PAID 12/8/2011
Enforcement of the Law on Capital Markets Center For Advanced Economic Studies
0 0 Rejected 12/8/2011
Export-Oriented Recovery Center For Advanced Economic Studies
0 0 Rejected 1/12/2012
Practice of Corporate Finance in Serbia Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia
0 0 Rejected 12/8/2011
Reform of Financial System and Protection of Intellectual Property Rights in Serbia
ACADEMICA Center for Creative Economy Research
0 0 Rejected 1/12/2012
Supermarket CEFE Serbia 0 0 Rejected 12/8/2011
Strengthening Communications Skills Training Represent Communications 0 0 Rejected 12/8/2011
Towards business-friendly environment for development of creative industries in Serbia
Serbian Financial and Business Consultants (SFBC)
0 0 Rejected 1/12/2012
Policy Advocacy Activities Association of Management Consultants of Serbia
0 0 Rejected 12/8/2011
Grey Book of Doing Business in Pancevo City of Pancevo Economic Development Agency
0 0 Rejected 12/8/2011
Macroeconomic Analyses and Trends (MAT) - for Better
Business Conditions (eight issues)
Economics Institute 2,400,000 28,015 Rejected 4/24/12
Round tables "For better Business Conditions" Economics Institute 3,000,000 35,000 PAID
(Modification1) 4/24/12
Practice of Corporate Finance in Serbia Chamber of Commerce and
Industry of Serbia 0 0 rejected 4/24/12
Citizens' Budget Guide BIRN 2,420,000 28,131
PAID
(Modification 1
Modification 2) 4/24/12
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 91
“Quarterly Monitor: Institutional Challenges to Boosting Employment, Growth and Public Sector Efficiency in Serbia”
Foundation for the Advancement of Economics
(FREN) 2,900,000 33,971
PAID
(Modification 1) 4/24/12
Benchmarking 2016 – Comprehensive Monitoring of Doing Business Environment in the Republic of Serbia
NALED - National Alliance for Local Economic Development 5,422,950 63,525
PAID
(Modification 1) 4/24/12
Ask When! - Advocacy Campaign for Improving of Doing Business Environment in the Republic of Serbia
NALED - National Alliance for Local Economic Development 2,328,500 24,998
PAID
(Modification 1)
5/29/12
Steinberg Capital&Publishing&Production ltd Grant for development of
Financial Markets 0 0 rejected 4/24/12
Government - Business Dialogue Bluewaters YU LLC 0 0 rejected 5/18/12
Developing Methodology for Improving Local Incentives to Support Local Economic Development and Improvement of Business Environment in Serbia
RARIS - Regional Development Agency Eastern Serbia 0 0 rejected 5/18/12
Internet Radio Station The First Entrepreneur
Association 0 0 rejected 6/14/12
Press Retreat and Financial Market Workshop Chapter 4 Communications
Consulting 0 0 rejected 6/29/12
Accelerated Development of the Leasing Industry in Serbia
Association of Leasing Companies ''ALCS'' Belgrade 3,000,000 32,545 rejected 6/29/12
Municipal bonds – A way to a sustainable local economic development Bluewaters YU LLC 2,300,000 23,782 rejected 9/13/2012
Conference 100 Days of Government American Chamber of
1,812,500 19,215 rejected 9/13/2012
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 92
Commerce in Serbia
Conference: Improving Conditions for Doing Business in Serbia
Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence 1,627,460 18,000 rejected 9/13/2012
Strengthening the Voice of Managers Serbian Association of
Managers 2,375,000 25,986 rejected 9/13/2012
Development of regulatory frameworks and mechanisms of alternative financing for SMEs in Serbia
EDGE Ltd Beograd 2,000,000 21,886 rejected 9/13/2012
Innovated model banking services to Serbian legal entities and agriculture during process of society transition, sanitation of banking and finance sector and state recover after last world wide economy crises (2013-2025).
MEJA LTD, BELGRADE 3,000,000 33,700 rejected 10/11/2012
Annual Seminar (Module 2): Economic Potentials and Business Development Prospects in Serbia by 2020
Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence 2,176,070 24,500 rejected 10/11/2012
Improving competitiveness of Serbian economy through development of the system of Institutional Financial Restructuring (IFR Project)
Chamber of Commerce 2,535,075 28,233 rejected 10/11/2012
Strengthening the Voice of Managers Serbian Association of
Managers 1,150,000 12,960 Paid
10/11/2012
Conference 100 Days of Government American Chamber of Commerce in Serbia
1,874,300 21,343
PAID
(Modification 1 and 2)
10/11/2012
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 93
Policy Measures to Enhance Serbian Exports Faculty of Economics, Finance
and Administration, Singidunum University (FEFA)
3,530,000 39,831 rejected 10/11/2012
Monetary and Fiscal Model for the Government of Serbia, Supporting Tool in Monetary,Fiscal and Trade Policy Making
Вelox Advisory Services ltd. 11,500,000 131,034 rejected 01/24/2013
Better Treatment for More Investments in Serbia OPTIMUS - Center for Good
Governance 2,979,756 33,708 rejected
01/24/2013
Building Project Management Awareness in Government of Serbia
PMI Serbia Chapter 900,000 10,483 rejected 01/24/2013
Institutionalizing the Concept of Continuous Improvements within the Public Sector of the Republic of Serbia
Audit and Consulting Company "Deloitte", Ltd., Serbia
2,579,000 32,136 rejected 01/24/2013
Improve Macroeconomic Policy and Strategy - Impact of Cultural Heritage and Viticulture on Macroeconomic Development of Vojvodina and Republic of Serbia
FruskogorskiVinogradi 3,000,000 34,945 rejected 01/24/2013
Preparing Serbia for Free Movement of Services European Policy Centre 2,800,000 32,613 rejected 01/24/2013
Evaluation of Influence of the Project “Western Balkans Innovative Auto Region” on Macroeconomic Development of Sumadija Region
L&I Consulting 2,500,000 29,119 rejected 01/24/2013
Build Efficiently in Serbia Today (BEST- a Guide through Building Proedures)
Center for Architecture Belgrade
1,600,000 18,636 rejected 01/24/2013
Building Capacity of Government of Serbia (GoS) in Project Management, Communications Management and
4You doo Beograd 2,850,000 33,195 Rejected 01/24/2013
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 94
Leadership Area
Improve the Environment for Development and Institutionalization of Clusters in Serbia
Cluster House 3,000,000 34,943 Rejected 01/24/2013
Bank Collaboration to Improve SME Access to Finance Center for Advanced Economic
Studies (CEVES) 2,500,000 29,119
Paid (Modification 1,2,3) 01/24/2013
No name Serbian Financial and Business
Consultants –Creative Economy Group
2,780,000 32,380 Rejected 01/24/2013
Impact Serbia CEFE Serbia 2,841,000
32,965 Rejected
01/24/2013
Forum 2013 - For better business conditions Economics Institute - 40,000 Grantee withdrew 4/26/13
Support for the implementation of QUEST_Serbia Macroeconomic Model, Monetary and Fiscal Model of the Government of Serbia Вelox Advisory Services ltd.
- 40,000
Contracted (Modification 1)
4/26/13
Panels „For better conditions for doing business“ within Business Info Group conferences – „Financing of Small
and Medium Enterprises“ and „Governors and Bankers of the Region“
Business Info Group (BIG) -
24,000 Paid
6/7/13
Practical Guide: How SME can acquire money in Serbia AAP Consulting Ltd Belgrade - 24,800 Rejected 6/7/13
Strengthening Communication Capacities of Project’s Communicators
Represent Communications 32,320 Rejected 6/7/13
Bankruptcy - A Chance for a Fresh Start Association for the promotion
of Serbian economy “Timeline” 15,000 Paid
6/7/13
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 95
Business Heartbeat - Reform Advocates NALED 100,000 Paid 6/7/13
Standard Methodology for SMEs Project Appraisal AAP Consulting Ltd Belgrade 34,000 Rejected 7/10/13
Strengthening support for inspections reform Center for Democracy
Foundation 28,000 Rejected
7/10/13
Improvement of competitiveness of tourism industry in south Serbia as part of European process through
establishment of its reservation system European Movement in Serbia
30,000
Rejected
9/11/2013
Empowering the SMEs - Family Business in Serbia Chapter 4 Communications
Consulting 36,000 Rejected
9/11/2013
Enabling business environment in waste recycling sector in Serbia European Movement in Serbia 38,000
Rejected 9/11/2013
IFRS for SME education Serbian Association of Accountants and Auditors 40,000
Rejected 9/11/2013
Support to SME associations in successful articulation and interests advocacy in relations with the commercial banks
DOOR Training and Consulting Serbia 33,000
Rejected 15-Oct-13
Credit risk guaranties: a viable Government policy as a remedy for long term external imbalances of Serbia
Safege LTD
40,000
Rejected 15-Oct-13
Executive Management Retreat
Serbian Management Center
9,800
Rejected
15-Oct-13
New Labor Law – The New Communication Gistro Advertising doo 40,000 Paid 25-Oct-13
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 96
SME better access to finance through reducing Enterprise-side Constraints
GM Consulting 39,980 Rejected 22-Nov
Meet the Timok Region Entrepreneurs and SME Regional Chamber of Economy Zajecar
35,552 Rejected 12-Dec-13
Promotion of Public Private Partnerships throughout Nišava, Pirot and Toplica Districts towards creation of
business enabling environment in Southeast Serbia – 3Ps for enabling business growth in Southeast Serbia
CIM Group
39,200 Rejected 12-Dec-13
Facilitation of bottom-up communication between businesses, LSGs and GoS aimed at developing feasible and realistic regulatory framework for public-private
partnerships in the priority sectors of agriculture, energy efficiency and waste management & recycling
Centre for Regional Politics
34,600
Rejected
12-Dec-13
Study on economic impacts and business barriers in film industry in Serbia
SFBConsultants –Creative Economy Group
27,500
Rejected
12-Dec-13
The Trade-offs of Policy Planning: Awareness Raising
Center for Advanced Economic Studies
12,000 Rejected 12-Dec-13
Advocacy for More Financial Restructuring and Financial Discipline in Serbia
Center for Advanced Economic Studies
17,500 Rejected 12-Dec-13
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 97
Finalization of the update version of Citizen's Budget Guide - follow on grant (APS-2012-01-5-F)
Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN)
8,782
Paid (not completed)
22-Nov-13
Support for the Ministry of Finance through Internship Placements
Belgrade Open School (BOS) 15,000
Contracted (Modification 1)
11-April-14
Improving Access to Finance for SMEs and Entrepreneurs - Workshops across Serbia
Chapter 4 25,000 Rejected 30-May-14
Young Entrepreneurial Spirit (YES) Green Table 19.200 Rejected 30-May-14
Media Support to Economic contribution to European-Atlantic integration processes
Green Table 15.800 Rejected 30-May-14
Improving communication between businesses and decision makers – Blue Chair
WB Consulting 19,800
Rejected
30-May-14
Global Positioning Strategy (GPS) of the Republic of Serbia – Opportunities and Challenges
CIVIS 20,720
Rejected
30-May-14
REIT - Real Estate Investment Trusts AFAS 20,000
Rejected
30-May-14
What is the Problem in Competition Policy in Serbia European Policy Centre – CEP 23,000
Rejected
19-Aug-14
FOUNDATION OF PARLIAMENTARY ECONOMIC CAUCUS NALED 25,000 Rejected 19-Aug-14
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 98
Support to the Public Policy Secretariat of Republic of Serbia in facilitation of private-public investments in
Serbia (Improvement of Institutional Framework for PPP)
Factis Consulting Belgrade
20,000 Rejected
19-Aug-14
Assistance in improvement of public debt management systems and capacity
Center for Investments and Finance
24,000
Ongoing
14-Jan-15
Fostering access to agricultural finance in Kolubara region (AgriFin-KOL)
Cluster "Fruits of Kolubara
20,000
Ongoing
14-Jan-15
Raising the Capacity of the Serbian Parliament’s Committee on Finance, National Budget and Public
Expenditure Control to Monitor the Implementation of the Budget Act
Public Finance Institute
16,000
Ongoing
14-Jan-15
Empowering Business Associations to Pool Resources and Advocate for Alternative Sources of Funding for SMEs
Institute for Entrepreneurship
22,500
Ongoing
14-Jan-15
Development of Local Currency Financial Markets in Serbia
FREN
25,000
Ongoing
14-Jan-15
TOTAL REQUESTED 97,480,111 $ 2,245,421
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 99
OVERVIEW: Total number of applications 103
Rejected / postponed/ withdrawn 73/-/2
Paid / Contracted / Approved 21/23/23
Pending / under negotiations /open 5/-/-
FINANCIAL STATUS OF CONTRACTED GRANTS
RFAs 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
RSD USD Status
Foundation for the Advancement of Economics - FREN Quarterly Monitor 24
unsolicited proposal 2,099,993 28,417
Paid
CeSID Business Survey RFA-2011-01 1,401,600 18,502 Paid
CeSID Business Survey Follow-up Data Analysis RFA-2011-01-F 370,000 4,513
Paid
National Alliance for Local Economic Development - NALED
Assessment of Impact of Quasi-Fiscal Charges on Businesses in Serbia RFA-2011-02 1,400,000 19,197
Paid
Foundation for the Advancement of Economics - FREN Econometric Assistance RFA-2011-03 2,828,300 37,870
Paid
MP and Associates Assessment of Constraints to Construction Permits in Serbia RFA-2011-04 1,614,000 20,550
Paid
Center for Liberal-Democratic Studies - CLDS
Project on Journalist Education on Economic and Business Environment Reforms RFA-2011-05 1,175,000 14,290
Paid
Balkan Center for Regulatory Reform - BCRR
For Training of Commercial Court Judges on Implementation of the New Company Law RFA-2011-07 1,675,000 20,630
Paid
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 100
Center for Liberal-Democratic Studies - CLDS Study on Private Domestic Savings RFA-2011-06-R2 1,840,000 22,230
Paid
Chapter 4 Communications Consulting Organization of Capital Market Forum in Serbia RFA-2012-01 1,697,180 19,980
Paid
Center for Liberal Democratic Studies Policies to Increase Employment and Workforce Competitiveness RFA-2012-02 2,987,000 34,052 Paid
Represent Communications PR/Outreach Campaign RFA-2012-03 84,342 Paid
BDO
Strengthening Regulation, Management, and Effectiveness of State Aid in Economic Sphere RFA-2012-04 4,600,000 47,998
2/3 paid (Terminated)
Foundation for the Advancement of Economics (FREN)
Economic Policy Measures to Combat Shadow Economy and its Effects on Total Economic Growth in Serbia RFA-2012-05 79,830 Paid
CESID d.o.o. 2012 Business Survey in Serbia SSS-2012--01 25,825 Paid
MP and Associates
Assessment of Constraints to Construction Permits in Serbia - follow on
RFA-2011-04-F/2012
16,850 Paid
Belgrade Open School (BOS) Better Public Administration through Internship Placements RFA-2012-06
89,970 Paid
Serbian Management Centre Ltd
Management Training for Public Officers Working in Government Institutions in the Republic of Serbia RFA-2012-07 29,810 Paid
MP and Associates Development of an Alternative RFA-2013-01/R 49,400 Paid (Mod 1,2)
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 101
Legal Framework for Improving Construction Permits in Serbia
Ipsos Strategic Marketing Business Survey in Serbia RFA-2013-02 25,021 Paid
NALED
Para-Fiscal Charges - Evaluation of results and support for continuation of reforms RFA-2013-03
Paid Paid (Mod 1)
Belgrade Open School (BOS)
Better Public Administration through Internship Placements Follow on
RFA-2012-06-F 56,420
Paid
Serbian Management Centre Ltd
Enhancing organizational effectiveness within key Governmental partner institutions in Serbia through Management Assistance Program
RFA-2012-07-F
22,800
3/4 paid (Mod1,2,3)
ABF Edukacija i konsalting d.o.o. Beograd
The Role of Good Accounting in Access to Finance
RFA-2014-01
22,985
3/6 paid (Mod 1)
Ipsos Strategic Marketing Business Survey in Serbia 2014 RFA-2014-02
19,991
3/4
Omnicom Solutions d.o.o. Development of Business Web Portal
RFA-2014-03
28,620
3/6
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 102
Subtotal
880,093
APS 2011, 2012, 2013 RSD USD Status
Economics Institute Agricultural Forum ''Food for Europe'' APS-2011-01-1
389,640 5,043
Paid
Economics Institute MAT - for Better Business Conditions APS-2011-01-2
820,000 9,965
Paid
Belgrade Stock Exchange - BELEX Belgrade Stock Exchange 10th International Conference APS-2011-01-3
300,000 3,872
Paid
Foundation for the Advancement of Economics - FREN
Quarterly Monitor 25-26-27 : Macroeconomic and Business Climate Issues of Serbian Economy APS-2011-01-4
3,066,000 39,574
Paid
Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence - BFPE
Alumni Seminar - Improving Conditions of Doing Business in Serbia APS-2011-01-5
1,100,000 13,805
Paid
Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence - BFPE
Annual Seminar - Economic Potentials and Business Development Prospects APS-2011-01-6
1,000,000 12,018
Paid
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia
Adjusting the Codex of Corporate Governance of the CCIS with the New Company Law APS-2011-01-7
1,270,000 15,370
Paid
Serbian Association of Managers - SAM Managers' Hours APS-2011-01-8 1,297,280
15,770 Paid
Economics Institute Round tables -For better business conditions APS-2012-01-3 2,959,208 32,199
Paid (Modification 1)
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 103
National Alliance for Local Economic Development - NALED
Ask When! - Advocacy Campaign for Improving of Doing Business Environment in the Republic of Serbia APS-2012-01-4 2,328,500 25,308
Paid (Modification 1)
Foundation for the Advancement of Economics - FREN
“Quarterly Monitor: Institutional Challenges to Boosting Employment, Growth and Public Sector Efficiency in Serbia” APS-2012-01-2 2,648,319 28,328
Paid (Modification 1)
BIRN Citizens' Budget Guide APS-2012-01-5 2,513,906 27,682
Paid
(Modification 1
Modification 2)
NALED - National Alliance for Local Economic Development
Benchmarking 2016 – Comprehensive Monitoring of Doing Business Environment in the Republic of Serbia APS-2012-01-1 3,000,000
32,637 Paid
(Modification 1)
American Chamber of Commerce in Serbia “First Lap Time - 100 Days of Government” and Follow up APS-2012-01-6
22,688 Paid (Modification 1 and 2)
Serbian Association of Managers - SAM Strengthening the Voice of Managers APS-2012-01-7
14,192 Paid (Modifications 1, 2, 3,4)
Center for Advanced Economic Studies (CEVES)
SME Growth Opportunities and How Policies and Banks Miss Them APS-2012-01-8
28,614 Paid (Mod 1,2,3)
Вelox Advisory Services ltd Support for the implementation of QUEST_Serbia Macroeconomic
APS-2013-01-1 40,000
3/4 paid (Mod 1)
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 104
Model - Monetary and Fiscal Model of the Government of Serbia
Association for the promotion of Serbian economy "Timeline"
Bankruptcy - a Chance for a Fresh Start APS-2013-01-2
15,065 Paid
Business Info Group (BIG) Financial Stability and Business Financing APS-2013-01-3
9,580 Paid
National Alliance for Local Economic Development - NALED
Business Heartbeat - Reform Advocates
APS-2013-01-4
39,990
Paid
Gistro Advertising
New Labor Law – The New Communication
APS-2013-01-5
25,344
Paid (Mod 1,2)
BIRN Finalization of updated version of the Citizen's Budget Guide APS-2012-01-05-F
8,787
Paid (not completed)
Belgrade Open School (BOS) Support for the Ministry of Finance through Internship Placements
APS-2014-01-1
16,000
3/4 paid (Mod 1)
Subtotal 481,831
TOTAL CONTRACTED (RFA and APS) USD 1,361,924
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 105
Request for Proposals
TEAMNET World Professional Services (Purchase order) In-kind grant to be signed with the Securities Commission
Document Management System and Public Register PO 2012-02
107,898 5/7 paid (Mod 1,2,3)
OSA Racunarski inzenjering d.o.o. Development of web-based inventory of spatial and urban planning documents
PO 2012-01/R
53,145
3/5 paid
Subtotal
161,043
GRAND TOTAL
1,522,967
TEAMNET World Professional Services (Purchase order) In-kind grant to be signed with the Securities Commission
Document Management System and Public Register PO 2012-02
107,898 5/7 paid (Mod 1,2,3)
OSA Racunarski inzenjering d.o.o. Development of web-based inventory of spatial and urban planning documents
PO 2012-01/R
53,145
3/5 paid
Subtotal
161,043
GRAND TOTAL
1,522,967
USAID’s Business Enabling Project Quarterly Report: Fourth quarter 2014 — Page 106
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