USAID Serbia and Montenegro
Local governments (Serbia): Through work with a wide geographic spread of municipalities, local governments are now more responsive: 30+ Citizen Assistance Centers, E-government in 80+ Municipalities. | Youth (Serbia): Junior Achievement in 90 schools in 2009. USAID supports efforts of the Ministry of Youth/Sports to better prepare youth for post-graduation work opportunities. | Agribusiness (Serbia): Serbian companies assisted made $16.7m in registered sales in 2008. Recent trade shows expected to bring over $17m in contracts. | Local Economic growth (Serbia): Municipalities in USAID’s Municipal Economic Growth Activity attracted over 800m Euro in investments and created over 11,000 jobs in two years by becoming more business friendly; 270 new businesses opened; 26 Local Economic Development offices set up to actively attract investments. | Commercial Courts (Serbia) have become more efficient and transparent with Case Management Systems in all 16 courts and the High Commercial Court. Case backlogs cut drastically. | Compete Project (Serbia): Helping to bring Serbian companies back into world market – leading directly to $20.5m in 2008 exports. Helping to introduce International Industry standards that allow companies to compete in the global marketplace. Attracted major film productions and millions in investments. | Support to companies (Serbia) in vulnerable areas increased their competitiveness. 2008 sales at trade/shows fairs for assisted companies up 42%. | Economic systems (Serbia): Helped introduce: VAT; private pensions; investment funds; sound insurance industry, bankruptcy and enforcement and modern payment systems. | Opportunity Bank (Serbia) loans created 5,000+ new jobs and ensured 40,000+ existing jobs were kept. Only lender for vulnerable people who have little access to credit. | Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) (Serbia): Civil Society activities have brought together 14 major companies and an array of NGOs to establish culture of CSR. | Preparedness Planning (Serbia): USAID works with all levels of government to improve disaster risk reduction, trained 675 responders from 50 Municipalities on disaster management. | Civil Society Grants (Serbia): USAID assisted 160 Civil Society organizations with $5.2 million in 2.5yrs to better represent the needs of ordinary people & become more influential partners with businesses and government in the democratic process. | Media (Serbia): USAID media assistance has contributed to more independent, professional and financially viable media outlets and media associations. The regulatory environment now better supports the development of e-media; 2,000+ media professionals trained. | Court Reform (Serbia): U.S. assistance helped increase independence and the professional skills of judges, magistrates and prosecutors; provided legal assistance to victims of war crimes and human rights abuses. |
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    Bankruptcy and Enforcement Strengthening (BES)

    Improves the investment climate for foreign and domestic investments and contributes to a more vibrant market economy through targeted technical assistance in bankruptcy and civil enforcement. The program supports the implementation of all aspects of Serbia’s new bankruptcy regime for the reorganization and liquidation of insolvent enterprises and sales to investors. It also will analyze and address problems related to enforcement of commercial actions.

    Project components include:

    • Strengthening the Privatization Agency Bankruptcy Unit to help it privatize State and Socially Owned Enterprises through bankruptcy, reorganization and/or liquidation in a more efficient and effective manner
    • Assisting the Bankruptcy Supervisory Agency in its effort to better regulate the bankruptcy administrator profession
    • Strengthening the enforcement of creditors’ rights, execution of judgments from Commercial Courts, including post-judgment enforcement, non-judicial remedies and pre-judgment expedited procedures
    • Identifying and reducing corrupt practices associated with the Serbian Bankruptcy Unit and the Agency for Licensing Bankruptcy

            Key results to date:

            • Memorandum of Understanding signed between the US and the Serbian Ministry of Justice indicating clear mutual dedication for the reform of the enforcement system.
            • A comprehensive assessment has been made of the currently existing Serbian enforcement system identifying problems and possible solutions.
            • Meetings with 13 major Serbian banks have resulted in agreement to support reform of the enforcement system.
            • Preliminary design completed for a new IT system aimed to significantly improve the efficiency of the bankruptcy system, along with standardization of all documents and institutionalizing best practices and procedures.
            • On-going advisory services provided to PABU Case Managers to help solve operational and legal problems.
            • Share Fund Portfolio analysis has been performed; this has identified 10 companies as candidates for possible pilot case reorganization / efficient liquidation; field research started.
                        The project started in May 2006 is expected to run through September 2010. BES is being implemented by Booz Allen and Hamilton. http://www.boozallen.com/