Belgrade, 21 May 2014 – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Zorana Mihajlovic spoke today with Head of the World Bank (WB) Office in Serbia Tony Verheijen about support of this financial instituion in the reconstruction of infrastructure in Serbia damaged by floods.
At the meeting it was pointed out that the World Bank is ready to support Serbia's efforts to promptly repair the damaged infrastructure, and indicated that financial support would involve adjusting the priorities of existing loans that are in process, and the use of emergency funds.
Furthermore, Serbia can use technical assistance from the World Bank in the preparation of damage assessment methodologies and the projects for flood relief.
Verheijen announced that in providing assistance to Serbia, the World Bank will work in coordination with the EU and the UN.
Mihajlovic informed Verheijen about activities to date on evaluating the damage caused to road, energy and telecommunications infrastructure, and about the work of the Serbian government’s Commission for evaluation of damage from natural disasters.
She recalled that the Commission yesterday asked local self-governments to submit reports on the damage caused to residential, commercial and agricultural facilities, as well as to local infrastructure.
Mihajlovic and Verheijen also discussed the implementation of the current projects on Corridor 10 and agreed that construction is progressing, but that the efficiency of the state-owned contractors must be increased.